Country music superstar Kenny Chesney is set to add “author” to his long list of entertainment accolades. It was just announced that the “I Go Back” singer’s first book, Heart Life Music, arrives Nov. 4. Co-written with journalist Holly Gleason, the memoir offers fans a deeply personal look at Chesney’s remarkable road to country music stardom. Ithe traces his path from the Smoky Mountains to his reign as one of America’s most beloved stadium acts.
Chesney, a 2025 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and Billboard’s No. 1 Country Artist of the 21st Century, says that hundreds of hours went into the making the book. “What they don’t tell you is how much goes into polishing, how many times you’ll read it… or how many moments you’ll have to leave out,” Chesney says. “I really wanted to send a love letter to all the places and characters along the way that made this journey such an incredible ride.”
Kenny Chesney’s ‘Heart Life Music’ Chronicles a Journey Beyond the Stage
Heart Life Music is more than a chronicle of chart-topping hits and sold-out shows. It’s a collection of personal vignettes—snapshots of Chesney’s life before and during his remarkable country music run the 23-time platinum-selling artist has had. The book captures the friendships, adventures, and lessons learned along the way. From making music in Jamaica and the Kremlin to drifting across the Caribbean and his recent accomplishment—performing at Las Vegas’ groundbreaking Sphere, Chesney’s stories are as expansive as his career. “If you don’t give up, if you just keep working, amazing things can happen,” he reflects.
Chesney’s impact on country music is undeniable. He has over 105 platinum certifications, eight Entertainer of the Year awards, and a record 36 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. He’s played to over a million fans every summer since 2002. Variety dubbed him “country music’s only true long-term stadium act.” His No Shoes Nation fanbase is legendary for its loyalty and spirit.
Gleason resume includes has bylines in Rolling Stone and the New York Times, and a reputation for capturing the heart of music’s biggest names.