Chesney takes bigger risks than Buffett???

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » February 1, 2005 6:16 pm

This will probably stir the pot again... and I'm really not that anti-Chesney (I watched and enjoyed the "Be as You Are special" on CMT the other night), but this type of article (from CNN) truly annoys me. Chesney is seen as a great risk-taker in that he does something different when he's at the top of the country music world, whereas Buffett, who, as an unknown created his own genre (the wave Kenny is now riding) is seen as less of a risk taker. Get real!!!

"Jimmy Buffett has covered this ground before, but Chesney's attempt is more risky."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/0 ... index.html

Joni Tyring · Post by **Joni Tyring** » February 1, 2005 6:34 pm

I agreed

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » February 1, 2005 7:26 pm

Y'know, I love Kenny's music, I've been to his shows, and I suspect I'd like him as a person..... But this reporter is out to lunch!!

There's no way on God's green earth that "Be As You Are" is more risky than what Jimmy has done.

The reporter never does explain WHY he thinks it's more risky. He just tosses the statement out there and never backs it up...... sheesh....

Pirate Lookin' at 40 · February 1, 2005 7:44 pm

I despise Kenny Chesney and his music. He is a copycat wanna be and nothing more. I'm sure that this reporters Buffett collection starts and ends with SYKBH. I have always liked Country music, but I hate to see someone trying to be someone else. But, what are we to expect? The guy isn't talented enough to do anything original.

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » February 1, 2005 7:53 pm

I believe what he meant is that Kenny is taking a different musical turn that some of his fans may not get/like.

Again, why does it always have to be a competition?

jbfinscj · Post by **jbfinscj** » February 1, 2005 7:59 pm

Buffett is an American original....Kenny kind of reminds me of all of those Elvis imitators in Vegas. And to think I actually somewhat enjoyed Kenny's new album.

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » February 1, 2005 8:00 pm

I see tough guy is back and as pleasant as ever...

Travelin'man · Post by **Travelin'man** » February 1, 2005 8:07 pm

sonofabeach wrote:I believe what he meant is that Kenny is taking a different musical turn that some of his fans may not get/like.

Again, why does it always have to be a competition?

I agree. To me, it is completely obvious that there is a greater risk to Kenny's departure from country than Jimmy's departure from...what?
I don't think anyone here can argue Kenny's success in the country music arena (It doesn't matter if you don't think it is REAL country). You don't win Grammy's, CMA's and ACM's without a rather large fan base. It is my opinion that Kenny has definitely taken a risk of alienating at least part of his target audience...but methinks that the ones buying his albums are as devoted to and would buy whatever Kenny put's out. Sounds familiar, doesn't it.

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » February 1, 2005 8:12 pm

Travelin'man wrote:I agree. To me, it is completely obvious that there is a greater risk to Kenny's departure from country than Jimmy's departure from...what?

I agree completely. Let's face it - if Jimmy released a CD of himself reading a medical dictionary, Parrotheads would make it platinum.We'd listen to it while drinking his lousy tequila and eating his mediocre frozen shrimp...where's the risk in that?

Travelin'man · Post by **Travelin'man** » February 1, 2005 8:17 pm

rednekkPH wrote:
Travelin'man wrote:I agree. To me, it is completely obvious that there is a greater risk to Kenny's departure from country than Jimmy's departure from...what?
I agree completely. Let's face it - if Jimmy released a CD of himself reading a medical dictionary, Parrotheads would make it platinum.We'd listen to it while drinking his lousy tequila and eating his mediocre frozen shrimp...where's the risk in that?

livesbythesea · Post by **livesbythesea** » February 1, 2005 8:17 pm

I also agree - I think the article was just pointing to the fact that Chesney is switching gears while he's at the peak of his career, and that's risky, especially when you're working in a genre like country which is extremely fan-driven and even formulaic to some extent.

I like both Jimmy and Kenny. I think they're two completely different artists who both happen to write about living on island time from completely different perspectives. I'm just happy I get to enjoy both.

I haven't gotten Chesney's latest album, but No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem is always on my playlist, both at home and in the car. Half of the rest of the albums are Jimmy's.

It's all good.

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » February 1, 2005 8:22 pm

I guess I don't see this CD as that big a risk for Kenny. If he'd released this CD two or three years ago, yes, the risk would have been huge. But Kenny has enough star power today that he can afford to take a risk and release something a little different.

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » February 1, 2005 8:25 pm

now this is a risk

livesbythesea · Post by **livesbythesea** » February 1, 2005 8:34 pm

That was a cry for help...

D'you know, someone on CMT mentioned that Keith Urban had just hit Nashville with his first solo album at the time, and that Chris Gaines was modeled on KU. Australian, soul patch...more rock'n'roll than country.

Maybe, but....why?

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » February 1, 2005 10:13 pm

Travelin'man wrote:
sonofabeach wrote:I believe what he meant is that Kenny is taking a different musical turn that some of his fans may not get/like.

Again, why does it always have to be a competition?
I agree. To me, it is completely obvious that there is a greater risk to Kenny's departure from country than Jimmy's departure from...what?

This was the second review where I've seen the writer give credit for depth and maturity to Chesney's music while dismissing Buffett. I have yet to see a review where there is a balanced understanding of Buffett's music (yep, "some just don't get it").

I personally don't see it as a competition; I just see it as people giving more credit to Kenny (and less to Jimmy) than is due. It's also disappointing not to hear Kenny acknowledge Jimmy's and others' influence of his music as Jimmy has repeatedly and graciously acknowledged those who have influenced him. In a CMT interview a few months back when asked what it was like to work with Jimmy on LTC, Kenny said "it was fun" with so little enthusiasm -- it's much more how you say something than what you say. Kenny seems to be a parrothead and friend of Jimmy's when it's convenient for him but sadly has had little to give otherwise.

Regarding risk, Kenny's sidestep (to island country) from the top of mainstream country doesn't carry near the risk or require near the fortitude of Jimmy having created a genre over an extended period of time...starting from the bottom. One could say that Kenny has more to lose since he's at the top, but I believe he has so much momentum and popularity that at worst it could be a hiccup for him if the music weren't good. (I don't think that will happen because it's nice music.)

Also, it's a very interesting marketing twist that they've chosen not to release any singles. I'm sure this is being very closely watched by many across the industry.

Bottom line, there's no problem with the music of either artist; I just respect Jimmy more.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » February 1, 2005 10:16 pm

ON one hand most artists in the long run make music for them

KC risky?? don't see it Jimmy?? risky?? don't see it

Risky would be if they covered the Thank G~d It's Friday
soundtrack..

Or Dark Side Of The Moon..

there would be a huge risk.

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » February 1, 2005 10:21 pm

I'd agree that neither is a big risk taker today -- established fan and asset bases. I'm really referring to Jimmy back when he was in his 30's and what he was doing was establishing vs. contributing a genre.

don juan · Post by **don juan** » February 1, 2005 10:48 pm

Quiet and Shy
I agree with you mostly. It's just I can't make myself like Kenny
Chessny doing "Jimmyesce music. There is a guy from Key West that is
a joke he knows hes a joke and he does a song "Im living the life Jimmy
Buffet wrote about" tounge and cheek kind of goofy stuff but its a joke.

Kenny wants us to take him serious he is looking to his future after Jimmy isn't touring I think. He is talanted and all but I just can not get what I get from Buffett or Alan Jackson or even George Straight.

To me and,I am sure he is a cool guy personally, when I see Mcgraw and Chesney Montgomrey Gentry Big& Rich ect.....
I see the same out of touch demographic driven nashville music machine that ran Jimmy out to Key West and Johnny Cash to Rick Rubin and American records

The single thing though is standard musical practice
"release the single kill the album" They are trying to push album sales as a whole they have done a great job creating BUZZ about the new
"ISLAND RECORD" now if you want the song you buy the album.

Alanis Morsitte did it with "Jagged Little Pill"

longlinergirl · Post by **longlinergirl** » February 1, 2005 11:07 pm

rednekkPH wrote:
Travelin'man wrote:I agree. To me, it is completely obvious that there is a greater risk to Kenny's departure from country than Jimmy's departure from...what?
I agree completely. Let's face it - if Jimmy released a CD of himself reading a medical dictionary, Parrotheads would make it platinum.We'd listen to it while drinking his lousy tequila and eating his mediocre frozen shrimp...where's the risk in that?

There is quite a risk involved eating that imported shrimp

msu#1 · Post by **msu#1** » February 2, 2005 2:43 am

don juan wrote:Quiet and Shy
I agree with you mostly. It's just I can't make myself like Kenny
Chessny doing "Jimmyesce music. There is a guy from Key West that is
a joke he knows hes a joke and he does a song "Im living the life Jimmy
Buffet wrote about" tounge and cheek kind of goofy stuff but its a joke.

Kenny wants us to take him serious he is looking to his future after Jimmy isn't touring I think. He is talanted and all but I just can not get what I get from Buffett or Alan Jackson or even George Straight.

To me and,I am sure he is a cool guy personally, when I see Mcgraw and Chesney Montgomrey Gentry Big& Rich ect.....
I see the same out of touch demographic driven nashville music machine that ran Jimmy out to Key West and Johnny Cash to Rick Rubin and American records

The single thing though is standard musical practice
"release the single kill the album" They are trying to push album sales as a whole they have done a great job creating BUZZ about the new
"ISLAND RECORD" now if you want the song you buy the album.

Alanis Morsitte did it with "Jagged Little Pill"

Shut the ***** up!!! you make no sense at all!!!

Just read what the cmt boards have to say about Kenny, they are already turning their backs on him after he made a record that he wrote and it came from his heart and not the nashville machine, just because some ***** writer thinks Kenny took a bigger chance than Jimmy doesnt mean its true!!!!! JImmy and Kenny are my heros, long live the Island boys, and ***** everyone else and their stupid ingnorant opinions.