Kenny Chesney shows are a big deal.
Chesney, the biggest ticket-seller of the last decade, played for a million fans or more every year from 2004 to 2009. But he decided his hard-partying fans had worn him out, and the country singer didn't tour in 2010. After a year off, Chesney's "Goin' Coastal" arena tour kicks off in Des Moines this Thursday, with Uncle Kracker and Billy Currington along for the ride.
Currington is becoming a regular face around Iowa. He opened for Carrie Underwood at Wells Fargo Arena last year and for Sugarland in Ames in 2009. Teaming up with Chesney will likely give the singer his biggest crowds to date.
"I'm expecting good things, no doubt," Currington said during a phone interview. "Big crowds, gaining new fans and learning how to run a business better by watching someone like Chesney. Plus, I hear there are quite a few parties in the parking lot before the show."
Currington's 2010 album "Enjoy Yourself" includes his fifth No. 1 single, "Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer." Despite the success and his inclusion on such a hard-partying tour, Currington admits he's not much of a drinker. When he does drink, he'll have a darker beer, like a Guinness.
"I might have a beer and then go home," Currington said. "I'm very light - it's rare that I'll have one. It didn't become a part of my life, which works well for me."
That comes in part from abuse Currington suffered at the hands of his alcoholic stepfather. In 2007, Currington took time out from touring (including a canceled spot at Big Country Bash) to recover and deal with his childhood demons. His first hit, "Walk a Little Straighter," dealt with the subject. In 2009 one fan was killed and 75 people injured (including Currington, who suffered a concussion) when a stage collapsed after a show in Canada. After years of hard times and self-discovery, Currington made "Enjoy Yourself" an album of happier songs.
"When you listen to all of my albums, they're pretty much happy already. But I think every one of them had one or two sad songs," Currington said. "This last one just naturally felt right to put all positive, happy songs on it. There was no rhyme or reason to it, but life changes and, it was just something that felt natural at the moment."
After this tour, Currington plans to hit the beach (he loves to fish and surf) and start focusing on his next album. After years of opening for big arena shows, Currington is also hoping "Goin' Coastal" will give him some pointers for his own eventual headlining tour.
"I'm pretty sure I'd like it to be just like Chesney's thing. From what I've heard, it seems like it's laid out to be exactly what I'd want to see when my time comes."
