Kenny Chesney Gets New Guitar

Kenny Chesney wins Entertainer of the Year at "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards," on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, live from the Sommet Center in Nashville on the ABC Television Network. Photo courtesy of the Country Music Association.

March 10, 2009 — Kenny Chesney and Mac McAnally turned up Monday at the ASCAP offices on Nashville’s Music Row to celebrate the chart-topping success of "Down The Road," and while they made off with several plaques and honors, the prize that most touched Kenny was an unexpected one.

Mac gave him a Martin guitar. But not just any guitar — one that proved important to both of them.

"Mac told me that he wrote 'Down The Road' and 'Back Where I Come From' on this guitar," Kenny said. "And a whole bunch of other songs over the years. It's the guitar that he's written on — and he wants me to have it. I know there are lots of songs in that guitar. Lots. For him to give it to me, as if the songs I've been fortunate enough to get to sing weren't enough, well, that may be one of the single greatest gifts anyone has ever given me."

Mac won the Country Music Association’s Musician of the Year honor in November in recognition of his acoustic guitar work, and his songwriting has impacted country fans for years. His titles include Alabama’s "Old Flame," Shenandoah’s "Two Dozen Roses" and Sawyer Brown’s "Thank God For You," among others.

"Down The Road" is nominated for Vocal Event of the Year at the "44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards" April 5. Mac and Kenny’s competition includes Josh Turner and Trisha Yearwood’s "Another Try"; Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire’s "Cowgirls Don’t Cry"; Sugarland, Little Big Town and Jake Owen’s "Life In A Northern Town"; and Brad Paisley and Keith Urban’s "Start A Band."

Whether Mac and Kenny end up at the podium that night, you can still expect to see Mac down the road during the Sun City Carnival Tour.

"We haven't performed it live yet," Kenny noted, of "Down The Road." "But that's going to be resolved quickly. Hearing it on the radio wasn't enough for me. I wanna go out and sing it live with my friend."

They’ll probably employ a certain Martin guitar.