Who is Kenny Chesney

East Tennessee-born singer Kenny Chesney has, in the course of his relatively brief career, proven to be an unremarkable but thoroughly competent singer who shows occasional flashes of brilliance when teamed with the right song. That happens roughly half the time on this 17-cut compilation disc, which, despite its title, actually includes four new songs, one rerecording, and a remix. Amid soppy country-pop chart fodder ("Me and You," "When I Close My Eyes") and second-rate ditties ("How Forever Feels," "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy"), Chesney hits his stride on robust country ballads like "You Had Me from Hello" and the lead single "I Lost It." On other gems--like "That's Why I'm Here," a heartfelt tribute to the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program that topped the charts a while back; "Baptism," a great duet with Randy Travis; and his fine rerecording of "Tin Man," the song that launched his career in the mid '90s--Chesney even manages to attain an ephemeral but utterly moving transcendence over his vocal limitations and sometimes questionable song choices. -- Bob Allen

After the sort of year that Kenny Chesney has experienced--from a whirlwind courtship through a short-lived marriage--a guy needs some time to chill. Thus it's no surprise that The Road and the Radio finds the party-hearty country hunk in an uncommonly introspective mood. The soul-searching title track establishes the album's intimacy and theme of taking stock, sustained through the bittersweet balladry of "Who You'd Be Today," "In a Small Town," "Freedom," and "Like Me." Though Chesney only wrote one track here, "Beer in Mexico," he invests the rest with personal conviction. Even the comparatively hard-rocking "Living in Fast Forward" has a reflective twist to it, while the Caribbean lilt of "Tequila Loves Me" has more than a measure of melancholy. Whatever the effects of romantic travails on his personal life, his music has gained some emotional depth. -- Don McLeese

Though Kenny Chesney had been building a rabid fan base over the years, no one expected his 2002 release, the multi-platinum No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems, to make him a superstar. But the Luttrell, Tenn., native had found a batch of songs that perfectly captured that scary no-man's land between adolescence and adulthood, precisely where the bulk of his followers happened to live. On its sequel, When the Sun Goes Down, the protagonists are older, with kids on the way and hectic jobs that rob them of leisure time. In fantasizing about those college keg parties and hedonism after dark, they search for a sigh of relief. Chesney understands this, and his own changes, too. Emotionally he's more at home in his own skin, and since his voice has gotten deeper and wider, he sounds increasingly confident in the studio, besting guest artist Uncle Kracker on the title song, a warmed-over Jimmy Buffett vibe. He's also matured as a writer. The majority of his four songs, two co-written with others, are no match for "There Goes My Life," the powerful unwed father ballad that served as the album's first single, or even "When I Think About Leavin'," another tune about standing at the crossroads. But his memorable "Being Drunk's a Lot Like Loving You" will burrow deep in your psyche, and prove Chesney a fine guide to confronting pain. Better keep this one handy. -- Alanna Nash

A megahit with young country fans, Kenny Chesney may seem like an accidental star, but he's succeeded largely by understanding what his following wants to hear. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems taps directly into the squiggly vein that runs between adolescence and adulthood, when responsibilities call and Jimmy Buffett dreams beckon. As much a celebration of life as of youth itself, the album succeeds best when Chesney turns wistful and thought-provoking ("A Lot of Things Different," "Good Stuff") and makes firm decisions about what really matters in life. Sentimentality reigns supreme--you can already imagine a sea of flickering cigarette lighters when he does this material live--but as "Big Star," a song about a girl who wants to be just that, spells out, No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems is a solid affirmation to go for what you want in this silly ol' world. Chesney certainly has, and if this short, bald guy from tinytown, Tennessee, can catch a rainbow, the rest of us ought to take heart. -- Alanna Nash

Modern country fulfills a real musical need. It offers songs about adult issues--relationships, employment, religion, and children--couched in the modern production values familiar to more recent generations. Artists such as Randy Travis, George Strait, Clint Black, and Vince Gill have proven time and time again that slick and down-home are not necessarily incompatible. For it to work, however, requires excellent songwriting and distinctive, emotionally evocative singing. Unfortunately, too much of Everywhere We Go, Chesney's fifth record, is second-rate material and paint-by-numbers arrangements sung with an emotional sameness that seems to make little distinction between the humor of "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" and the romance of "You Had Me from Hello." For a moment, during "Baptism"--a duet with Randy Travis--Chesney invests some real emotion, and the restrained instruments seem in tune with the joyful yet serious subject matter. Then Travis comes in and demonstrates the vocal power and range that it takes to be the kind of artist that Chesney merely aspires to be. -- Michael Ross

This CD, a great leap of growth from "Me and You". The ballads are one of the best he has ever done in his carreer, including the self-titled song, "I will stand" and "A Chance" two very good and touching songs. "She's Got it All" of course is a classic song, and the video goes along to why the girls really do love Kenny. "That's why I am here" is a career marker. His biggest hit to date to be honest. Never has he had a song that has touched almost listener. Its a great effort by Kenny Chesney, and I recommend it to the highest degree. KC is the best! -- mandy1826 "mandy1826" (Indianapolis, IN USA)

Now don't get scared by the young Kenny Chesney. He may look young, but his songs aren't so immature. He has a few great hits on this CD including the title track, "Me and You". This song is Timeless and is played at weddings all the time. How fitting is the song though... absolutely. And then his fan favorite is found on this album... which is my absolute favorite KC song ever.. "Back Where I Come From" and this is the studio version... which I happen to like more. The song about growing up in the country.. "Some say it's a backwards place, narrow minds on a narrow way.. but i make it a point to say that's where I come from". If you get a chance to see Kenny Live.. this is one of the greatest parts of the show.. he has clips of when he was younger. It is a great show. The rest of the cd has some great songs... pick it up.. I promise you won't be dissapointed. -- mandy1826 "mandy1826" (Indianapolis, IN USA)