Charles Esten’s ‘Every Single Friday’ Hits ‘One Single Year!’

One Single Year. It took one single year for Charles Esten to make history as the first independent country artist to release 52 original weekly singles back to back. Where he has found the time may forever remain a mystery … and an impressive accomplishment. When he’s not starring as the strong willed but heartbroken recovering alcoholic Deacon Claybourne on CMT’s Nashville, he’s touring the US and the UK as part of the “Nashville In Concert” sold out tours. Proud family man Esten raises two daughters and a son with his college sweetheart and wife of over 20 years, Patty Hanson.  And this past June, he brought down the house as host of the 2017 CMT Music Awards. Yet Esten, or “Chip” as he is known to friends and colleagues, has somehow managed to start a unique movement appropriately entitled, “Every Single Friday” which has fans and industry insiders both repping #TeamDeacon.

He celebrated the year milestone with friends, fans, and industry reps at the Country Music Hall of Fame on July 19 with a private reception followed by a public concert in the CMA Theatre. Tickets were free for the fans, with prior registration on his website, www.charlesesten.com.

“There’s only one city you can do this in. . . .and to be in this place. . . and to be in this theatre. . . and to be playin’ with these people. I genuinely love this band behind me.” Of course, his remarks were about the famous band, Sixwire, who have been playing together for huge artists and TV shows long before befriending Esten. With gigs like CMT’s Can You Duet and USA’s Nashville Star, it was no surprise they became Rayna James’ backing band on Nashville and, again, no surprise the on-camera chemistry lead them to backing up Esten on his “Every Single Friday” project and beyond. He even praised them for recording “I’m Comin Home” in a studio on their one day off during the “Nashville” tour in Scotland, under the musical guidance of Nashville Musical Director, Colin Linden. Linden was one of many guest stars to join Esten for the “One Single Year” show. Good buddy Danielle Peck also took to the stage to help Esten dedicate a performance to his wife Patty with “Everything to Me.”

Throughout the two hour show, Esten shared personal stories and bragged about his wife’s artistic brilliance and work ethic when it comes to his career. He told of their love story of how they met back in college in 1986 and how they wondered what would come of their lives after graduation. He pointed out the significance of the house in the “Home by Suppertime” cover as being his grandparent’s house in Virginia that he grew up in.

And then of course, there’s Deacon. Esten credited the role of Deacon with the inspiration behind many of his own songs—songs like “Scars.”

“I’ve been walkin’ in Deacon’s boots for this song. It really helps you go to those places that hurt a little bit and everyone does hurt. And we all have our scars.”

He also stated that “there’s a whole lotta doors Deacon gets to walk thru and he lets me go with him. . . and there are so many people in this room I’ve gotten to know because of this job and because of Deacon. Deacon has affected my songwriting a whole lot.”

While the show did include great stories, it wasn’t all talk. Esten gave the audience a roller coaster of emotions and musical styles. The soulful, R&B vibe of “So I Cried” was offset by the traditional, pedal steel backed melody, “Cold Comfort.”  The Warren Brothers cut, “Same Damn Road,” sounded like any modern country radio play while “Good at Goodbye” felt more reminiscent of the resurging 90s era. Other set songs included “Do You Good”, “Heart Can’t Say Goodbye”, “When Love Leaves”, and his current single, “Down at The Lost and Found.” Esten also proved not only he is talented with multiple guitars, but he can play a mean harmonica any time he’s in the mood for a little change up.

And while fans and colleagues will certainly miss the new releases on Every Single Friday, Esten will have something else brilliant up his sleeve in no time, if he doesn’t already. There is a reason Esten is said to be one of the most genuine guys in town. After a private reception prior to a 2 hour energy packed concert, Esten then spent another hour or so taking pictures and signing merch for adoring fans, even calling out some by first name.

To see Esten on a weekly basis, catch Nashville on CMT Thursday nights at 8 pm. For all things social, visit him on Instagram @charles_esten and Twitter @CharlesEsten.

Congrats to Charles “Chip” Esten on the highly successful run of Every Single Friday and no doubt, we’ll be seeing him soon because he is definitely in it for the “Long Haul.”