July 28, 2009 — A year ago, Kenny Chesney launched his own own station, No Shoes Radio, on XM Satellite Radio. This year, Kenny’s reintroducing the channel with an online franchise, www.noshoesradio.com.
The channel debuts at noon ET on Aug. 6, with the playlist dictated in great part by Kenny’s musical tastes. It’ll feature his music, as well as songs from other artists programmed into his iPod. And he’ll use the station as a focal point for his fan base featuring interviews with Kenny, his musical friends and crew members.
"Growing up, I don't think anybody listened to any one kind of thing," he says. "What I think of as country, well, that's not really what we do. But then again, I think most of our fans are listening to other stuff, too, whether it's Dave [Matthews], [Bruce] Springsteen, [Tom] Petty or Jackson Browne, not to mention Bob Marley, who I think may be the great equalizer among all kinds of music."
The Aug. 6 debut comes as Kenny prepares for a concert that evening in Orange Beach, Ala. Tour mates Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum are expected to drop by that afternoon during the station’s first hours online, and Kenny will likely play a few songs, too. That evening’s show will be streamed live on No Shoes Radio, and there will likely be more simulcasts as Kenny keeps the station up and running into the future.
"It's gonna be cool," he promises, "and then it's gonna keep rocking."
Now that his current single, "Out Last Night," has peaked at No. 1, Kenny’s released a new song to radio. "I’m Alive," which features guest vocals by Dave Matthews, was sent to stations on Monday. And it’s a good bet it’ll air on No Shoes Radio.