In the music video for his new single “Knowing You,” released today (March 12), Kenny Chesney shows the warm and happy moments of love, and the cold and gloomy feelings of loss.
The video shows Chesney on a sailboat in the tropics cozied up to a love interest half the time, and then flashes back to scenes of him bundled up on a cold and rainy boat, trying to get over her.
The grey, colder scenes were shot in Gloucester, Massachusetts on a fishing boat with Chesney’s actual captains, who he affectionally refers to as Boat Captain Marty and Boat Captain Ben. The other half was filmed in sunny St. Croix, with his friend Monica playing his love interest.
Chesney worked with award-winning director and longtime creative co-conspirator Shaun Silva on the video. “I haven’t done a video like this in a while, where it was this big of a production,” he said in a recent Zoom hang.
“Knowing You” is the third single from his ninth No. 1 album on the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart, Here And Now. It was written by Brett James, James Nergenah and Kat Higgins.
“Brett James was one of the songwriters on this song,” Chesney said. “The moment that he played ‘Knowing You,’ I went, ‘Oh, thank you.’ I get to record this kind of song, I get to have it out on the radio. It just meant a lot to me. That’s why I wanted to make a really impactful, dramatic video for this song.”
The lyrics find Chesney reckoning with the loss of a vibrant love, singing “God, we were so alive / I was a kid on a carnival ride / Holdin’ my breath ’til the moment when you were gonna leave me too soon / ‘Cause damn, it was good knowin’ you”
“Not everything is meant to last…You don’t think about that when it’s perfect,” says Chesney in the voice over for the video. “And when it’s over, there’s a huge hole, but there’s also a pair of wings.”
The Zac Brown Band has released a jam-heavy version of “Baba O’Riley,” on all streaming platforms. The track is the newest single from the group’s first ever live covers album, From the Road, Vol. 1: Covers, out Nov. 10.
“Baba O’Riley” was recorded live in 2016 at Boston’s Fenway Park, which holds a special place in both the band’s heart and career. As Fenway Music Hall of Fame members, Zac Brown Band made history in August, selling out the iconic stadium for the 14th time and marking the Park’s 100th concert.
Releasing via Brown’s own label Home Grown Music, From the Road, Vol. 1: Covers includes tracks spanning over 11 years and showcases a selection of performances in iconic venues from the ZBB, joined by John Mayer, Steven Tyler, Darrell Scott, Mark O’Connor Band and Marcus King. ZBB’s rendition of Queen’s British-rock anthem “Bohemian Rhapsody,” as well as the recently released cover of “The Way You Look Tonight” made popular by Frank Sinatra, are on the the guilty pleasures album, along with tracks ranging from quintessential rock with “Sweet Emotion” and “Baba O’Riley,” to the Beatles’ pop cult classic “Eleanor Rigby,” to Jimmy Buffett’s tropical escape “Margaritaville” and more.
From the Road, Vol. 1: Covers Tracklist:
1. Bohemian Rhapsody (Live at The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, UK, 09.25.2015)
2. Baba O’Riley (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 08.20.2016)
3. Enter Sandman (Live at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL, 09.14.2014)
4. Sabotage (Live at Windy City Smokeout, Chicago, IL, 7.16.2023)
5. Sweet Emotion feat. Steven Tyler (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 08.09.2015)
6. Whipping Post feat. Marcus King (Live at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 10.17.2021)
7. Margaritaville (Live at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC, 10.05.2023)
8. It’s A Great Day To Be Alive feat. Darrell Scott (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 06.16.2018)
9. Eleanor Rigby feat. Darrell Scott & Mark O’Connor Band (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 06.16.2018)
10. With a Little Help From My Friends feat. Darrell Scott & Mark O’Connor Band (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 06.16.2018)
11. Neon feat. John Mayer (Live at the Southern Ground Music and Food Festival, Nashville, TN, 09.22.2012)
12. Use Somebody (Live at Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA, 08.25.2019)
13. The Way You Look Tonight (Live at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA, 06.04.2016)
NMPA President & CEO David Israelite with Keith Urban. Photo: Tony Sarria
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) hosted its annual Gold & Platinum Gala at the Country Music Hall of Fame Wednesday night (Oct. 25). With throngs of songwriters and publishers fellowshipping together, the night was abuzz with reunions and celebrations.
Ashley Gorley with NMPA President & CEO David Israelite. Photo: Tony Sarria
The NMPA Gold & Platinum Program honors the songwriters of RIAA-certified singles. In an exciting carousel of honors, NMPA gave out plaques to 85 multi-Platinum songwriters Wednesday night, including hitmakers such as Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby, Chris DeStefano, Dallas Davidson and many more. As each songwriter joined the stage to receive their plaque, their peers and colleagues hooped and hollered as the hit song they wrote played over the speaker.
Flanking the plaque presentations were some awesome performances, with Ian Munsick kicking off the show with his Gold-certified single “Long Live Cowgirls,” which got a big reaction. Newly-inducted Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member, Keith Urban, gave a rousing performance of his “Blue Ain’t Your Color”—and was subsequently presented with a plaque for his 18 Gold and Platinum certifications.
The event culminated with the honoring of the top male and top female songwriters of the past year. Over the eligibility period, Ashley Gorley achieved an astounding 26 certifications, making him the Top Male Songwriter of the Year.
When speaking about Gorley, NMPA President & CEO David Israelite compared his success to that of star footballer Tom Brady, sharing that as a Kansas City Chiefs fan, he used to feel that he hated Brady because of his success, but eventually realized he admired his excellence. Rightly so, he encouraged those in the room to acknowledge the privilege of working with Gorley.
“Appreciate this moment. If you got to see Tom Brady play, or if you have gotten to see Ashley Gorley write, you are witnessing something that is greatness,” Israelite said.
Gorley was honored with a performance of “Rumor” from Lee Brice.
NMPA President & CEO David Israelite with Hillary Lindsey. Photo: Tony Sarria
Top Female Songwriter of the Year went to Hillary Lindsey, who scored 10 certifications overall. Israelite spoke about Lindsey’s impact as one of the most succesful country songwriters of her generation.
“She has been such an inspiration to all songwriters, [especially] to all women songwriters. What she’s done with Liz [Rose] and others, I don’t think we’re going to see much in our lifetimes.”
Lindsey was honored with a hair-raising rendition of “Girl Crush,” performed by Brittney Spencer.
During the event, Israelite officially launched the Gold & Platinum (G&P) Club. The Club encompasses all songwriters who have achieved Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum certifications. Israelite also announced that the Club’s Co-Chairs are Rose and Ryan Tedder.
Israelite said, “The NMPA Gold & Platinum Program is the most definitive measurement of a song’s success. We are thrilled with the growth of the Gala and the opportunity to recognize the most elite songwriters in Nashville. The unprecedented number of honorees at this year’s event demonstrates the expansion and dominance of country music. We congratulate the brilliant minds behind these songs and are excited about the launch of the Gold & Platinum Club which will foster community among them.”
Cheat Codes total stream tally eclipses a staggering 6 billion plays which reinforces their inescapable force in popular culture. The eclectic mix of artists and songwriters involved in the project is evidenced by the reveal of the full track list. […]