It's been nearly two years since Kenny Chesney released his last studio album, 'Lucky Old Sun.' Later this year, though, the country music megastar will return with a brand new album, titled 'Hemingway's Whiskey.' The new album, which is scheduled to drop on Sept. 28, is named after a classic Guy Clark song that's featured on Chesney's upcoming record. Hearing Chesney explain the inspiration for the album title, one gets the impression that it struck him like a bolt of lightening: "When I heard the song, I knew it was the perfect title for the record," he explains. "I was sitting in my truck and a friend had given me Guy's album, which had just come out, and it's a song that talks about living life to its fullest, being a man about your responsibilities and not compromising. As soon as I heard it, I knew I had to cut it... because it says everything about the way you live your life, and what life can be if you refuse to buy into limits."
The musician also appears to view his forthcoming album as a definitive beginning of a new part of his career. "I knew I wanted the record to be something more, something that took what I do in my special projects and weaved it into what I do for the mainstream," Chesney told CMT. "It takes a lot of energy and mental space to be on the road ... and I kind of felt like -- especially coming off of this second 'Greatest Hits' -- this next record should be something that set the stage for the next phase of my music, the same way 'No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems' opened up the music I've made for the past eight years."
Details on the album are sure to emerge within the next few weeks, including some of the big name guests that Chesney has lined up to appear on 'Hemingway's Whiskey.' According to the Boot, though, Grace Potter recently confirmed that she and Chesney were working on a collaboration, although it's still unclear whether or not that work has anything to do with this particular album.
As of yet, no track list has been released, although Chesney did debut the first single off of the album, 'The Boys of Fall,' which, as we reported, is a tribute to one of Chesney's greatest passions -- football. Besides his new album, Chesney also has a new documentary coming out soon. Taking the same title as his first single, 'The Boys of Fall,' the film deals with the life lessons learned while playing high school football. All in all, it looks like it's shaping up to be a busy 2010 for one of country music's brightest stars.