Kenny Chesney sent No Shoes Nation into a frenzy on Wednesday morning (Jan. 17) as he shared exciting details of his forthcoming 20th studio album, officially titled BORN. The country superstar not only revealed the album’s title and cover art but also announced the release date – March 29, 2024.
The Meaning Behind Kenny Chesney’s Album Title BORN
The eight-time Entertainer of the Year from East Tennessee first unveiled the project’s title as BORN and shared insights into why he chose that as the title of his twentieth studio album. He also emphasized the significance of the title track, which he described as a song that “speaks the truth about living, life, and what we’re all doing here.”
“As for the title, well, we’re still not quite done deciding what’s going on here, but one thing’s for sure: BORN is absolutely the title track,” Chesney explained. “Banjo out front, a great big pocket that rocks back and forth, it feels great. But more importantly, it’s a lyric that throws out all the options, never tells you what to do and throws out the one existential truth no matter what you choose: ‘one thing’s for certain, we’ve all been living since the day we were born.’”
Explains Why He Chose The BORN Cover Art
In addition to revealing the project’s title, Chesney also unveiled the cover art. The album cover, captured by internationally published photographer and frequent collaborator Allister Ann, features Chesney wearing his signature straw cowboy hat against the backdrop of a picturesque view of the ocean and a clear blue sky.
“I’d already decided on the cover because it was something clean and simple and true,” Chesney explained of the album art. “It’s the kind of picture that says everything, but leaves plenty of room for everything else. My friend Allister shot it, and it’s just me looking straight into No Shoes Nation. When I saw it, it was really the only choice for this record.”
The Project Will Be Different From Previous Releases
Breaking away from the norm, Chesney decided to share details of his new album with fans before everything was finalized after receiving an overwhelming response when he divulged that he was finalizing his next project earlier this month. He expressed that BORN has been a different kind of project, from the recording process to songwriting and finding tracks, making it fitting to include fans in the final stages.
“Normally, we wait until it’s all figured out, the T’s are crossed, the I’s are dotted,” Chesney continued. “But everything about this record’s been different – from how much time we’ve spent, the different ways we recorded and wrote and found songs – so why not let the fans know as we’re finishing up? We make this music for them, so, here you go. It’s official: BORN, March 29 – and you’ve seen the cover. Now to the final line-up, and maybe getting a couple more out there.”
Teases The Project Could Be One Of His Longest Albums To Date
While Chesney is focused on finding “the best collection of songs we can give No Shoes Nation,” he also shared that this new album could mark one of his biggest projects yet. “I wouldn’t be surprised if this record comes in a little bit longer than normal, because there are too many good songs to leave behind,” he revealed.
The 55-year-old singer/songwriter has co-written a number of songs for the project and is also a co-producer with Buddy Cannon. Musicians performing on the album include Chesney’s touring band members Nick Buda (drums), Kenny Greenberg (guitars) and Danny Rader (guitars, banjo, bouzouki) as well as Pat Buchanan (electric guitar), Chad Cromwell (drums), Dan Dugmore (steel guitar), Michael Rojas (B3, Wurlizter, piano) and Dan Tyminski (acoustic guitar).
The “Take Her Home” singer has been recording his latest project in various studios in Nashville and emphasized that he’s “ready” to share new music with his fans.
“Because of the amount of time we’ve had to work… and not just work, but really just hang out, write, experiment and play with different kinds of music… I got to go places, do some things we wouldn’t normally try because we have such a clear vision of what we’re trying to do,” he said.
He’s Been Able To Fully Experience The Creative Process For This Album
Speaking to Audacy last year, Chesney shared that with his new project, he has been able to fully experience the creative process, which he hasn’t always been able to do with past records.
“Sometimes I get so, so involved in everything, and it can take away the creative process,” he said. “When you’re really busy out on the road and you’re exhausted and you’re trying to make a record, but you’re also trying to run a company, and you’re also trying to run this and do this — all of a sudden, you’re brain is just in so many different directions. It’s good to focus on the idea of just creating, and that’s what I’ve been doing for a while.”
When Will Kenny Chesney Release His New Album?
Kenny Chesney’s new album, BORN, will arrive on March 29, 2024. The project will follow the release of 2020’s Here And Now album, which topped the Billboard 200 and the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Here And Now spawned hits such as “Tip Of My Tongue,” “Here and Now,” “Happy Does,” “Knowing You” and “Everyone She Knows.”
He Already Shared A Taste Of The Project with Release Of “Take Her Home”
Already giving fans a taste of what’s to come, Chesney released the lead single, “Take Her Home,” from the BORN album in November 2023. The song has quickly climbed into the Top 25 on Country radio and continues to make an impact on the airwaves.
A lighthearted love song about a narrator who meets the girl of his dreams at a bar and eventually builds a life and a family with her, “Take Her Home” was written by Zach Abend, HARDY, and Hunter Phelps.
“Take her home, fall in love / Thank the good Lord up above / That He sent one down into your arms / And put a chain around your raise hell heart / You try to play it cool walkin’ through the door / But you’re smilin’ like a fool ’cause you can’t wait / For them down the road memories you’re bound to make / And you will one day / Take her home.”
This is the first new song from Chesney since 2022’s Old Dominion collaboration “Beer With My Friends.” Chesney’s most recent album was 2020’s Here And Now.
“When I heard ‘Take Her Home,’ I just laughed,” Chesney said in a statement. “It was everything life is made of in less than four minutes. It’s true, honest and all the stuff that’s easy to forget. All those details and little moments? The deep cut Cheap Trick, the black-and-pink suitcase in the back of the truck, a 7 pound, 5 ounce baby? That’s what makes these kinds of life changes what they are. And it’s funny: no matter what stage you’re in, you really are always scared. That’s how you know it’s gonna be worth it.”
Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour
Additionally, Chesney will embark on his headlining stadium trek, dubbed the Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour, later this year.
Beginning at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on April 20, the trek will bring Chesney to stadiums across the U.S. before wrapping with an unprecedented three-night run at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Chesney will be joined by Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker, who duetted with Chesney on the multi-week No. 1 song that gave the tour its name, “When The Sun Goes Down.”
“I wanted a name that suggested – obviously – when all the good stuff starts to happen,” Kenny Chesney shared of his tour in a statement via a press release. “The one thing I’ve learned about No Shoes Nation and these stadium shows is they start the good times early, and they just keep it going. But we all know, when the sun goes down, that’s when people really get loose and enjoy themselves.”
“That was the thing about Uncle Kracker and my song,” he continued in the statement. “It captured a vibe and a moment so perfectly. No matter how much fun you’re having all day long, ‘everything gets hotter when the sun goes down…’ I know from years of experience that’s true. So, I can’t wait to get back out there, stadium-sized ’cause there’s nothing like 60,000 members of No Shoes Nation singing these songs. It’s gonna be awesome.”
Kenny Chesney’s Sun Goes Down Tour Dates
See a full list of Kenny Chesney’s Sun Goes Down Tour Dates below.
April 2024
20 – Tampa, Fla. – Raymond James Stadium
27 – Charlotte, N.C. – Bank of America Stadium
May 2024
4 – Minneapolis, Minn. – U.S. Bank Stadium
11 – Arlington, Texas – AT&T Stadium
18 – Atlanta, Ga. – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
25 – Landover, Md. – FedExField
June 2024
1 – Pittsburgh, Pa. – Acrisure Stadium
8 – Philadelphia, Pa. – Lincoln Financial Field
15 – Chicago, Ill. – Soldier Field
22 – Milwaukee, Wisc. – American Family Field
July 2024
6 – Kansas City, Mo. – GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
13 – Seattle, Wash. – Lumen Field
20 – Los Angeles, Calif. – SoFi Stadium
27 – Denver, Colo. – Empower Field at Mile High Stadium
August 2024
3 – Nashville, Tenn. – Nissan Stadium
10 – Detroit, Mich. – Ford Field
17 – East Rutherford, N.J. – MetLife Stadium
23 – Foxborough, Mass. – Gillette Stadium
24 – Foxborough, Mass. – Gillette Stadium
25 – Foxborough, Mass. – Gillette Stadium
For more information on Kenny Chesney’s upcoming tour and new music, visit his official website HERE.
