Even those who?ve never spoken directly to Kenny Chesney know that he?s undoubtedly one of the nicest guys in the business.
When Chesney was just starting his career and touring with Alabama, they referred all interview requests to him, thus boosting his career.
“In the spirit of ?pay it forward,? Kenny continues that philosophy,” said Wes Vause, Senior Director of Media for Sony BMG, Nashville.
Those who think his concerns for others is just lip service need only look at the ticket prices of his shows which he actively works to keep low.
In this case, this nice guy finishes first with a loyal following that has resulted in more than 30 Top Ten singles in the U.S., 13 of which reached Number One, according to Billboard.
He?s also won countless awards and his 2007 Flip Flop Summer Tour, which took him through the Baltimore area, was the highest grossing country road trip of 2007, according to Pollstar.
This year, Chesney and singer/songwriter LeAnn Rimes bring the Poets & Pirates Tour to the area with an all-star group of musicians including country stars Brooks & Dunn, former Van Halen lead singer Sammy Hagar, and others.
As Chesney?s star continues to rise with his latest release “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates,” this is arguably one of the region?s largest “must attend” country shows. Chesney currently leads the nominations for Country Music Entertainer of the Year which will be presented by The Academy of Country Music on May 18.
And the show isn?t even all about Chesney. The other musicians are all hitmakers and Rimes is, of course, a two-time Grammy Award who is often compared to Brenda Lee and Tanya Tucker.
The youngest person to win a Grammy (at age 13) and the first country artist to win Best New Artist, Rimes has also won kudos for expanding her career as an adult.
Indeed, her 2005 album “This Woman” went Platinum and won critical acclaim as one of the strongest mainstream country albums in recent memory.
Other well-received albums, including 2007?s “Family” which tells of some personal struggles in her past, followed.
“I was a kid in this business and fell on my face many times, picked myself up and learned by my mistake,” said Rimes. “Everybody?s human; we all make mistakes. Mine have just turned out to be good songs.”
IF YOU GO
Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Brooks & Dunn, Sammy Hagar, Big & Rich, Gary Allan and others.
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell St.,Baltimore
When: 9 a.m. parking lot; 1 p.m. Gates; 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: $20-$99.50
Info.: 410-547-SEAT
