For those of you who aren't familiar with the borderline psychos that make up the fan base of THE Kenny Chesney, you are missing out. The No Shoes Nation is not just a hobby, it is a way of life. Every single person who describes themselves as a part of this crazy family understands the amount of heart that is offered by each fan.
All fans have their story of how they came to love Kenny Chesney. For me, it was over a decade ago when my cousins and I were road-tripping through Yellowstone National Park. I only now feel sorry for the adults who were driving us little tweens through Wyoming while we sang about beer and the beach at the top of their lungs. Preteen me sang and danced to the song Young approximately 900 times after discovering it. That song was my gateway into the No Shoes Nation.
Kenny is a mix of country and island music which causes his fans a great yearning in the heart to follow his way of life. There have been times where I listen to Somewhere in the Sun or Island Boy and literally end up on the American Airlines website searching for cheap flights to the Virgin Islands. Depending on how crazy your obsession with the man has become, you may know of the bar called Foxy's, which is located on the island of Jost Van Dyke and is mentioned in a few of his songs. He has described that he spends most of his nights at this bar, where everyone is family. The islands give him a home where he is not a celebrity, just a part of a great big Virgin Island family. I am glad that he has this escape because he deserves some time to himself after spending his summers being screamed at by crying, love-struck girls. However, if anyone knows of a job opening at Foxy's, let me know.
The family that he has created by sharing his music is truly beautiful. Although sometimes he sings solely about the girl from last night or drinking too much rum, he also relays heartbreak, wanderlust, peace, and relaxation to his listeners. He can have you rocking out and thinking you're the baddest cowgirl of them all, and the next moment you're in tears wishing that your true love would move to the islands with you and feed you coconuts while watching the waves crash against the dusk. The emotions connect his fans. At concerts, everybody is having the time of their life, smiling and laughing with strangers who are all there for the same reason: love. The people I have shared his concerts with will forever be in my heart.
Personally, his music has become the sound track to my life. For example, On the Coast of Somewhere Beautiful is the song of my broken heart. I grew up in a tiny town and was traumatically moved to the city in high school, so I'm a Small Town gets me every time. Wild Child feeds my wanderlust and No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem brings me memories of beach days with my friends. Down the Road makes me believe in true love... I could go on and on, but these are just a few of the songs that I love. I am sure that you have plenty of your own.
Kenny Chesney fans have a love of music and of him that I haven't seen with any other celebrity. I think that it is because he is very popular, but not a typical celebrity. He is just a small town boy relaying his thoughts with a perfect guitar tune playing behind them. Overall, I hope that he has brought you all as much joy as he has brought me, and remember, this IS the good stuff.
