Few country artists can boast of a more decorated career than Kenny Chesney. Selling 30 million albums worldwide, the eight-time Entertainer of the Year gained entry into the Country Music Hall of Fame this year. For some artists, such an achievement might signal it’s time to hang it up. Not so for the “Anything But Mine” crooner, who recently wrapped up a 15-show residency at Sphere in Las Vegas. Recently, Kenny Chesney’s longtime friend and former tourmate, Dierks Bentley, sang his praises.
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What Dierks Bentley Learned From Kenny Chesney
Still riding a high from the success of his self-titled major label debut, Dierks Bentley didn’t expect that Kenny Chesney would have much to teach him when the “What Was I Thinkin’” singer joined his Guitars, Tiki Bars and a Whole Lotta Love Tour in 2004.
It didn’t take long for Bentley to see the error of his ways. “I went on that tour the first time thinking I knew what I was doing, because I was doing 300 shows a year. And I was like, ‘I’m not gonna learn anything on this tour,’” he recently told Taste of Country Nights.
“Oh man,” he continued, “I learned so much about how to treat your band, how to treat your crew and how to treat your fans. Nobody as deserving to be in the Hall of Fame than Kenny Chesney.”
[RELATED: Dierks Bentley Performs Hometown Concert With His Mom and Over 200 of Her Friends]
Chesney Has “Embraced His Fanbase”
Throughout a wildly successful country music career, Kenny Chesney has always made time for his fans. And this is perhaps what Dierks Bentley admires most about him.
“This is the guy who has made country music, made the live show, made his fans his life’s mission,” said the “Drunk on a Plane” singer, 49. “They’re his family. Nobody embraces his fanbase like he does.”
Indeed, Chesney is often credited for raising the bar on country music live shows. The “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” singer, 57, won the Billboard Touring Award for Top Package Tour five consecutive years between 2005 and 2009. He won again in 2011, 2012, and 2015.
“It’s not just about bringing the music out to the No Shoes Nation, though obviously that’s what this relationship has been built on,” he said in 2015. “It’s about how to create an experience every year that stands out, that’s worth remembering, that gives people a chance to love life, love music and have fun. This many years in, it’s still a thrill to be recognized for this part of what we do.”
Featured image by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ACM
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