Kenny Chesney isn’t an artist who only cares about awards and accolades. He cares more about leaving a mark when it comes to his legacy, hometown pride, and his genuine connection with his fans. That’s why the country music superstar can honestly say that he’s thrown himself into the music throughout the years. And, when asked how he wants to be remembered, the Knoxville native doesn’t dance around the question.
He says he wants to be remembered as: “Somebody that loves spreading positive energy and love to their audience that loves songs and songwriters that love the ocean, love protecting it.”
Chesney shared that answer while appearing on the debut episode of Netflix’s new podcast, Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast, on Monday, Jan. 26.
“People have asked me about legacy. Somebody asked me in an interview once, they said, ‘We think it’s great that you give so much of yourself to what you do.’ And I stopped them. I said, ‘No, no, no. I gave all of it,” he added, continuing to reveal what’s important to him. “So I think that that would be a part of it that I truly have given almost all of myself to do what I do.”
“But it never once. I’ll be, I swear to God, it’s never once seemed like a sacrifice,” he continued. “I truly loved and love what I do.”
Music-wise, Chesney has proven time and time again that he shows up for his fans. In fact, due to overwhelming demand, he recently added six new dates to his residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, extending his history-making run into the summer of 2026. He’s now scheduled to perform June 19, 20, 24, 26, and 27 as well as July 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, and 11.
For Chesney, the payoff of adding shows has always been seeing the people in front of him, meeting him in the middle of a lyric. “I love creating,” he said. “I love the look on people’s faces when I’m up there, and I know I just played their favorite song.”
Those same emotions from the stage take place close to home, too. One example was when the 57-year-old hitmaker returned to his hometown and noticed signs lining the streets paying a special tribute to him.
“Maybe a little more than 700,” he recalled of the overall numbers of signage. “When I came in and saw that, I went, ‘Oh, wow.’ Right down from where my grandmother used to live, and this one did make me happy. They put another one up. Cause right in front of the Luttrell City Hall, there was this big sign from me growing up that said, ” Home of country music entertainer, whatever they say, Chet Atkins. Right? Well, now there’s one of me right beside Chet Atkins, and that makes me very happy.”
“I was a kid. I was a kid. Looking at that. Now I got my own sign right next to him,” he added.
Chesney’s talk of gratitude toward recognition came as part of a wide-ranging conversation that launched Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast on Netflix. Hosted by Bobby Bones, the show, which extends to the streaming service, brings its long-form interviews to a global video audience through Netflix and iHeartMedia’s exclusive video podcast partnership.
“Launching Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast on Netflix is about meeting fans where they are and letting them experience these conversations in a whole new way,” Bones shared in a press release. “Getting to kick this new era off with Kenny Chesney, who is honest, funny, and vulnerable — it’s the perfect way to bring the show and the best of country’s most creative artists to a new, massive audience.”
Indeed, there may have been no better guest to usher in this new era than Chesney. In the episode, the award-winning artist also touches on his relentless work ethic, the physical demands of delivering two-hour-plus stadium shows, his New York Times No. 1 bestselling book Heart Life Music, his respect for tourmate and friend Megan Moroney, his early career setbacks, and much more.
Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast belongs to a select group of iHeartPodcasts available to viewers on Netflix. New episodes can be streamed every Tuesday and Thursday.
