Kenny Chesney Talks About Renee

Kenny Chesney photo courtesy of Sony BMG Nashville.

Oct. 14, 2008 — When Kenny Chesney’s marriage to Renee Zellweger came to an abrupt end with an annulment, it was an emotionally crushing blow that dogged his psyche for some time.

Working with Willie Nelson helped Kenny come to grips with the pain, and he finally processed some of the emotions in creating his new album Lucky Old Sun.

"It's no secret," Kenny told USA Today. "There are about four or five songs that are about Renee."

The week that she filed for the annulment in 2005, Kenny played Willie’s Farm Aid for the first time, and Willie helped him get some perspective on things. Eventually, Willie went into the studio with Kenny to record the title track for Lucky Old Sun, and that led to Kenny co-producing Willie’s Moment Of Forever CD with Buddy Cannon. Willie’s friendship had a big impact on Kenny’s album, which is a little smaller in sound and more introspective than some of his previous releases.

"Hanging out with him, I felt an artistic shift in a small way," Kenny said. "This album isn't about a lot of guitars that are layered, and it's not about a very slick production. I'm letting my vocal lead the track instead of the track leading the vocal. These songs demanded that."

"Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" is the first single from Lucky Old Sun, which comes out today. Kenny will perform that song — along with the Bob Marley classic "Three Little Birds" — with help from the Wailers on "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" Nov. 12. Kenny has seven nominations, giving him more opportunities to win than anyone else.