NASHVILLE, TN (Vivaton Records) — Vivaton Recording artist
Mark Chesnutt came off the road last week to visit with music industry execs and friends in Nashville (where Mark calls his second home) and he received a grand
Music City welcome.
As part of Mark's social calendar, the label hosted an album listening party in the parking lot behind their offices on Thursday evening, July 22. Over 150 industry and media folks attended to catch a preview of Mark's new album entitled Savin' The Honky Tonk. Guests enjoyed the pleasure of listening to all fifteen cuts from the album which fittingly reflect its title including:
'Somebody Save The Honky Tonks,' 'Would These Arms Be In Your Way,' 'Mama's House,' 'Since You Ain't Home,' 'Think Like A Woman,' 'Beer, Bait And Ammo,' 'My Best Drinkin',' 'Honky Tonk Heroes,' and his current single 'The Lord Loves The Drinkin' Man.'
Mark describes the project (produced by Jimmy Ritchey), 'This album is 100% country. It's got it all. It's got drinkin' and cheatin' songs. Shuffles. And even a song with Mama in it.' In a surprise presentation at the label party that evening, Mark was given an official Miller-Lite Fender Electric Guitar by local representatives of DET Distributing, Keith Bolton and Stephen Hegdale.
The following evening, Mark debuted some of the cuts from his Vivaton album Savin' The Honky Tonk. With his laconic drawl, wry humor and world-class country voice, Mark demonstrated his artistic talents as a country standard during his live performance at the Wildhorse Saloon.
Playing for nearly two hours for honky tonkers and line dancers, Mark sang some of his fans' favorites ('Bubba Shot The Jukebox,' 'Too Cold At Home,' 'Goin' Through The Big D,' 'Almost Goodbye') and rounded out the evening with a medley of songs recorded by some of his own personal favorites, George Jones ('The Race is On'/'White Lightening'/'Once You Have The Best') and Waylon Jennings ('Good Hearted Woman'/'Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way'/'Clyde')in addition his rendition of Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'Pride and Joy.'
In talking about his live show, Mark Chesnutt shares, 'I have never tried to be anything other than what I am." says the 1993 Country Music Association Horizon Award winner, who's racked up fourteen No. 1 singles with his rich, resolute honky tonk style. "Fact is, the folks who came out to see the show will see that I haven't changed it a whole lot. There are no bells, no whistles and no smoke machines. And I don't jump around and holler. I just like to have a good time, try to keep things spontaneous and hope the folks react to my songs and my voice. It was nice to see them all come on out and have some fun.'
Chesnutt fans proved to support his return home to country. Mark, who has never left the road and who has been turning out great music for over fourteen years, scored the Year 2004 advance ticket sales record for the venue (The Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville) and broke this year's attendance record (for a concert event) to play for a standing room only crowd.
Mark continues his tour schedule in support of his upcoming album release and current single 'The Lord Loves The Drinkin' Man' which is No. 50 on R&R; No. 44 on Billboard and No. 39 on the Music Row Chart.
