Grand Rapids, MI. (Top40 Charts/ RCA Records) - Having been off the road with his
Poets &
Pirates 2008 Tour for almost two weeks,
Kenny Chesney kicked it back into overdrive with a full-tilt show on the first of a two night stand in Grand Rapids, Michigan - with surprise guests
Uncle Kracker and Jennifer Nettles, as well as a post-concert appearance with the Lost Trailers.
'For me, there is nothing like getting out there onstage - and the time off really had us all chomping at the bit to get back out,' says the man who picked up his 4th consecutive Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, tying Garth Brooks' tally. 'You could feel the energy… Kracker showed up to surprise me, and we sang David Allan Coe's 'You Never Even Called Me By Name' and got Jennifer to come out and sing 'When The Sun Goes Down' with us.'
The revelry, which was apparent in the crowds' cheers even before Chesney hit the stage, was in full bloom all night. So much so, that after finishing the sold-out show, he and the crew headed over to Intersection, where BNA label mates The Lost Trailers - who've done side stages on previous Chesney tours - were playing. With the easy camaraderie setting the tone, Chesney not only joined the band for a blazing 'Hurts So Good,' but he and keyboardist Wyatt Beard treated the SRO club to an intimate take on 'Coast of Somewhere Beautiful' from his breakthrough No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems album.
No word as to whether the guests will return for the second night in Grand Rapids , or head to Cleveland , Ohio where Chesney headlines Browns Stadium for the second consecutive year. 'Every day out here, it's something different,' allows Chesney. 'We try to keep the vibe loose, stay open to the music and rock as hard as the fans'll take us. We try to keep it as spontaneous and open as it can be, which given the amount of production can be a challenge… but we've got a lot of cool friends, and they know if they show up, we might just put'em to work.'
In Cleveland, look for Grammy-winner and fellow CMA Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar - whose pool was the site of Chesney's self-penned three week No 1 'Beer In Mexico.,' multiplatinum and awarded LeAnn Rimes, California progressive traditionalist Gary Allan and the winner of Northeastern Ohio's Next Big Star competition. With 'Better as a Memory' marking the 4th hit single from Chesney's million-selling Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates - along with the 6 week No 1 'Never Wanted Nothing More,' the 5 week No 1 'Don't Blink' and 'Shiftwork' with George Strait - Chesney keeps evolving as the soundtrack to people's lives.
'This is turning out to be the summer of my life. The folks we're playing with, the fans, all of it… It's so spontaneous and alive and real. When you get up on that stage, you just feel it! Who could ever want anything more?'
