2009 Greatest Hits II
Chesney marched into 2009 as strong as ever, with his second greatest-hits compilation. This set includes a new song, "Out Last Night," and is currently being supported with a string of summer tour dates.
2008 Lucky Old Sun
Chesney's next release is the first one for his personal division of BNA Records, Blue Chair Records.
2007 Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates
This album was released the same week as competing rap albums by Kanye West and 50 Cent. Country fans bet Chesney would beat both rappers and come out on top; alas, he debuted at No. 3. Sales of the album were impressive nonetheless, and three singles hit the top of the country charts.
2006 Live: Live Those Songs Again
This is Chesney's first live album. This year, he is honored by the Academy of Country Music as Entertainer of the Year.
2005 Be as You Are (Songs from an Old Blue Chair) & The Road And The Radio
Chesney intended this record to be a side project, and it did not have any officially released singles. However, it hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. A few months later, Chesney makes tabloid headlines by marrying actress Renee Zellweger on the island of St. John--the pair would file for an annulment a scant four months later. In November, Chesney releases The Road And The Radio, which debuts at No. 1.
2004 When The Sun Goes Down
Chesney's ninth album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts and spawned three No. 1 country singles. The title track is a duet with rap/rock/country artist Uncle Kracker. The tune "Some People Change" would later be re-recorded by Montgomery Gentry and appear on their 2006 album of the same name.
2003 All I want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan
This is Chesney's first album of Christmas music, featuring original as well as traditional holiday tunes. Continuing his affection for the islands and beach, he poses under a palm tree on the cover.
2002 No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems
This multiplatinum release spawned five charting singles, including "The Good Stuff," which Billboard named the No. 1 country single of 2002. The cover features Chesney in a beach setting, reflecting his love of the island life (he bought a house on the island of St. John).
1999 Everywhere We Go
Considered Chesney's breakthrough release, this album was the first in his catalog to go platinum. The single "You Had Me From Hello" was inspired by a line in the movie Jerry Maguire, which starred Chesney's future wife Renee Zellweger. A year later, he releases his first Greatest Hits compilation, which featured four new songs, plus re-recordings of his singles "Fall in Love", "The Tin Man" and "Back Where I Come From".
1997 I Will Stand
Chesney lands his first No. 1 hit on this album, the single "She's Got It All." The song remained for several weeks at the top of the country chart. This album, like its predecessor, was certified gold.
1996Me And You
This marks Chesney's first gold-certified album. Both the title track (which was reprised from his previous album) and single "When I Close My Eyes" reached No. 2 on the Billboard country chart. Chesney included a cover of Mac McAnnally's "Back Where I come From," which was never released as a single but became a live concert favorite.
1995 All I Need To Know
Chesney's first album for BNA took him to even higher success on the charts--three singles placed on the Billboard country chart, with "Fall In Love" landing at No. 6.
1994 In My Wildest Dreams
Chesney's first official record was released on independent label Capricorn Records. Despite little promotion, it had modest success sales-wise on the country charts. Capricorn closed its country division shortly after, and Chesney signed with his current label, BNA Records.
1968 Kenneth Arnold Chesney is born
Kenny Chesney is born in Knoxville, Tennessee--the first child of hairstylist Karen and elementary schoolteacher David Chesney. He begins teaching himself guitar after graduating high school. While studying at East Tennessee State University, he performs at local restaurants and bars. In 1989, he records his first album, pressing a thousand copies and selling them at his performances. A year later, he graduates college and moves to Nashville to purse music.