Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney is a country music artist who has released several platinum albums. In 2005, he was briefly married to actress Renee Zellweger.
Fast Facts
- Name: Kenneth Arnold Chesney
- Born: March 26, 1968
- Origin: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Record Label: Sony BMG
- Two Country Music Awards
- Six Academy of Country Music Awards
College Years
Chesney began playing for a college bluegrass band while a student. He soon began writing and singing in small joints for tips. He also self-released a demo album in which he sold 1,000 copies. After graduating from Tennessee State University with a marketing degree in 1991, he headed to Nashville.
Early Career
Once Chesney arrived in Nashville, he began performing at local honky tonks. He became a resident performer at The Turf, a honky tonk located in the historic district of Nashville. The Turf is where Chesney was discovered in 1992. He signed with Capricorn Records and released his debut album, In My Wildest Dreams. Capricorn had a small country division which they shut down shortly after Chesney's release. His album sold over 100,000 copies even though his label did not heavily promote it.
Breakthrough
Chesney's debut album caught the attention of several major labels. He signed with RCA Records subsidiary BNA Records. In 1995, Chesney released his second album, All I Need to Know which produced two top ten singles. He followed with Me and You in 1996 and again produced two more top singles. This album was his first to reach gold status.
Topping the Charts
Chesney began touring sold out venues while releasing several more albums. He released fourteen albums, seven of which were number one on the Billboard country charts. Five of the albums went multi platinum while five others hit platinum. He had thirteen number one singles. His 2007 album, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates made platinum level as well.
Awards
Chesney won six Academy of Country Music awards which include Entertainer of the Year three consecutive years. He won two American Music Awards and four Country Music Association awards. Chesney also cleaned up at the Country Music Television Awards winning three consecutive Male Video of the Year Awards and one Hottest Video of the Year. Chesney also took home a Peoples Choice Award for Favorite Male Singer.
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