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• Kenny Chesney is a country music artist who has released several platinum albums. In 2005, he was briefly married to actress Renee Zellweger.

  On April 5, 2009, Chesney opened the 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards with "Out Last Night" for the first solo performance of the evening.

• Fast Facts

  1. Name: Kenneth Arnold Chesney
  2. Born: March 26, 1968
  3. Origin: Knoxville, Tennessee
  4. Attended: East Tennessee State University
  5. Record label: Sony BMG
  6. First album: In My Wildest Dreams
  7. Two Country Music Awards
  8. Six Academy of Country Music Awards
  9. Was briefly married to Renee Zellweger
  10. Said to be dating Former Miss Tennessee USA Amy Colley
  11. In a 2009 Playboy interview, said that he doesn't smile on his album covers because he hates his smileContact Music: Chesney Can't Smile on Album Covers (February 18, 2009)

• Playboy

  In Playboy Magazine's March 2009 issue, Chesney attempts to put rumors that he is gay to rest by discussing his past relationships with females stating, "Man, I was over 100 several years ago. There were years when I had a better summer than A-Rod, buddy. You know? I got on the boards quite often." He also talks about his marriage to Zellweger in the magazine.WSBT: Chesney discusses gay rumors in Playboy interview (February 11, 2009)

• 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.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Country Music Awards Performances 2009 | Kenny Chesney Lucky Old Sun | Kenny Chesney Lucky Old Sun Reviews | Poets & Pirates | George Strait | Merle Haggard | Garth Brooks | Tim McGraw | Lee Ann Womack | Faith Hill | Keith Urban | Renee Zellweger | Alan Jackson | Willie Nelson | CMA Nominations

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