Kenny Chesney Shares The Heartbreaking Reason He Channeled Grief Into His Newest Album

Kenny Chesney has mourned several heartbreaking personal losses in recent years, and he’s realized the experiences have changed his music.

The 56-year-old Grammy winner has lived an entire lifetime during his nearly 30-year career, which means he’s experienced countless ups and downs. But the past few years have been filled with more devastation than he could have expected.

“In the last couple of years, there’ve been six people that I was really close to, that I can’t call anymore,” he told CBS Mornings.

Kenny recorded his newest album, Born, which was a four-year endeavor, while he was processing his grief. After listening to the end product, he realized how much it affected his lyrics.

“I’m in a unique spot in my life and in my career because I can’t necessarily sing about the things that I sang about even 10 years ago,” he continued. “I just feel like emotionally and mentally, I’m in a much different place.”

Kenny Chesney Is Focused On His Mental And Physical Health

One song in particular, Wherever You Are Tonight, covers death and grief. And Kenny admitted that his strong emotional connection to it helped him understand how much the pain had changed him.

“When I heard that song, I went, ‘Whoa, I know you’re in a different place.’ I’m talking to myself, right? ‘I know you are in a much different place cause you really want to record that song,'” he shared.

Over the years, Kenny Chesney has earned a reputation for his light-hearted party-style concerts and songs based on the beach life, which he enjoys at his homes in Key West, Florida, and Malibu, California. And he plans on continuing to give fans that same experience.

However, Kenny has realigned his personal goals. Instead of joining his fans for the party, he’s focused on his mental and physical health through diet and exercise.

“If you’re lucky enough as an artist to get to a place in your life where you’re actually competing with yourself, then that’s a pretty good spot to be in,” he added. “You’re pretty lucky.”

This story’s featured image is by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images.