Three decades into his career, Kenny Chesney will enter the Country Music Hall of Fame. The “Anything But Mine” singer, 57, could hang his black cowboy hat on any number of accomplishments. He has sold 30 million records, sent 33 songs to the top of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, and nabbed four consecutive Entertainer of the Year titles from 2005 to 2008. But for Jon Pardi, there’s one thing that really sets Kenny Chesney apart from the rest of the Nashville pack.
Videos by American Songwriter
Jon Pardi Gushes Over Kenny Chesney’s HOF Induction
In 2003, Chesney sold more than 60,000 tickets to his first-ever stadium concert in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. More than 30 years into his career, the 11-time ACM Award winner remains among the most popular touring acts in American country music. And for Jon Pardi, that fact alone more than qualifies Kenny Chesney for the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“I think Kenny Chesney was the first to go to football fields — like out of everybody,” Pardi, 39, told Taste of Country Nights. “I mean, of course there’s Garth [Brooks], but Kenny made like a show of it.”
The “Dirt on My Boots” hitmaker continued, “For me, he was like always the first guy to do a stadium tour, and selling them out. And of course, that’s not even talking about his catalog… I’m definitely all for it. He was a pioneer of stadium concerts.”
Long before Pardi scored his first Top 10 hit with 2013’s “Up All Night,” he remembers listening to Chesney’s 2000 Greatest Hits album, which would go quadruple platinum. “That’s the album we all grew up with. A lot of us listened to that record,” he said. “I think that’s what boosted him to the stadiums.”
June Carter Cash, Tony Brown Among 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
Along with Kenny Chesney, June Carter Cash and musician-producer Tony Brown will join the Country Music Hall of Fame this year. They will officially be inducted during a ceremony this fall.
Taking to social media after news broke, Chesney wrote, “Today felt like a dream. I am thrilled and humbled to say that I have been voted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Thanks so much to the @CMA, the @CountryMusicHof, the fans, and to my wonderful team who have dreamed this dream with me every step of the journey. Today gave me so much joy. Thanks so much to everyone. KC”
Featured image by Terry Wyatt/WireImage
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.