Kenny Chesney, the soft spoken songwriter and country music icon from East Tennessee, has always been known for spreading positive energy through his unique blend of country music. His high-impact performances and the unwavering support of his devoted fanbase, the No Shoes Nation, have taken his music to countless places. Yet, there was one destination he never dared to imagine: the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“That’s just something you don’t dare to imagine,” Chesney admitted as he prepared to step into the Rotunda of the Country Music Hall as this year’s Modern Era Artist inductee for the Class of 2025. “I would never have even thought about being here because it’s almost too much. Just walking past so many of these bronzes, realizing how many are friends or whose music I’ve listened to my whole life this is an honor that extends beyond anything my heart would dare think.”
Chesney’s journey from playing in East Tennessee State’s Bluegrass Band to becoming the first country artist to perform at Sphere Vegas is a testament to his enduring impact on the genre. His induction was made even more special by the presence of Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill, who recounted Chesney’s path from his first Capricorn Records album in 1993 to his transformative influence on country music.
“The beauty of this music is that,” Chesney reflected, “even though it tells some pretty strong truth, country music runs on dreams. For me, this is beyond a dream. I keep thinking I’m gonna wake up on my couch back at ETSU. But standing here, this is more than real it’s surreal. I couldn’t be more thankful or humble.”
Sharing the moment with fellow inductees Tony Brown and June Carter Cash’s children, John Carter Cash and Carlene Carter, Chesney was visibly thrilled. Longtime advocate and legendary executive Joe Galante, who had signed him, was also present to celebrate the milestone.
“You might not think about something like this,” Chesney said. “But I have to tell you: when you hear the news, there is no feeling like it except that moment when you realize they’re not kidding. When [CMA CEO] Sarah Trahern, Joe, and Clint (Higham), my manager, came to tell me, once I realized they weren’t having some fun with me, they told me I couldn’t tell a soul. I didn’t tell my mom, my dad, or even Dale Morris, my other manager. So today, finally, makes it feel real, and man, I am grateful to be in this company.”