Kenny Chesney Reflects on Grammy Nomination

Kenny Chesney's 'American Kids,' from his latest 'The Big Revival' album, has earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Song. While Chesney knew the tune, written by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally and Rodney Clawson, was something special, he was ill-prepared for the far-reaching impact of the powerful single.

"I knew the second I heard it that I was going to cut 'American Kids,'" Chesney says. "With two hooks, three rhythm scans and some of the most ingenious wordplay I've ever heard, this song’s unlike anything I've ever heard. It feels good. It says something about the heart and the passion people in small towns have -- and it makes you smile every time you hear it.

"The fact that the Grammy voters heard it, too, that they recognized how truly special and innovative this song is, makes me so proud for Shane, Luke and Rodney," he continues. "This really is a song that breaks a lot of rules, does things you don’t expect and offers a picture of how it is that isn't cliche or expected. What a cool thing to have happen to some very talented guys! I’m just glad I got to be the one who cut it."

The Tennessee native co-wrote four of the 11 tracks on 'The Big Revival,' including 'Wild Child,' his duet with Grace Potter. But while he didn't write the Grammy-nominated single, Chesney has plenty of respect for the writers who did.

"I came to town as a songwriter and got to write with some of the very best, people like Whitey Shaffer and Dean Dillon," he notes. "So I understand how hard it is to write a great song, let alone something as fresh and original as 'American Kids.' Coloring outside the lines, though, is where the magic happens."

Chesney will have plenty of opportunity to perform 'American Kids' when he kicks off his 2015 Big Revival Tour next year, with Jake Owen, Chase Rice and Cole Swindell serving as his opening acts and Jason Aldean, Eric Church and Brantley Gilbert joining him on select stops as well.

“When you can find songs that say something, then songs that make people smile when they’re thinking about it?" Chesney muses. "That’s what this is all about. I can’t wait to get out there and play ‘American Kids’ for the fans."

See a list of all of his tour stops on the 2015 Big Revival Tour here.