Kenny Chesney traded stadiums for a pop-up show at The Pinnacle in Nashville on Friday night, Sept. 25, to mark the release of his 21st studio album, Silver Sands Marina. The 4,500-capacity venue sat not far from the dive bars where he got his start three decades ago, playing songs for anyone who would listen.
Over 22 songs, Chesney mixed new tracks like “Talkin’ Dirt” and the title track “Silver Sands Marina” with deep cuts including “Reality,” “I Go Back” and “Living in Fast Forward.” He also dug up a hit from 2009, “Ain’t Back Yet,” which he last performed back in 2015.
Outside the venue, fans found an album-themed outdoor area with a pink building matching the cover, pier carnival games, food trucks, a limited-edition vinyl store and more. Those who missed tickets heard the show live on Chesney’s No Shoes Radio, on SiriusXM’s Channel 59.
Back To The Start
Chesney opened the show by reflecting on his early days in the business. “When I first started in this business, I just wanted like one song on the radio so everybody back home would think I was cool where I could prove ’em wrong or whatever it was,” he told the crowd. “I thought, ‘If I could just get one song on the radio so me and my buddies could go around the country and play the places that our heroes played, just one time… this past summer was our 34th trip, so it’s pretty cool.'”
Fans packed the upper balcony and the floor in front of the main stage, with a thrust stage drawing them in from all sides. Chesney kept moving, making the rounds to every side of the room, waving and smiling at the crowd throughout the set.
Five Top Moments From The Pinnacle
Billboard highlighted five standout moments from the show:
- Chesney’s New Single Resonates — “Remember Me That Way,” his newest single off Silver Sands Marina, showed he still reaches for powerful songs rather than breezy anthems.
- Welcomes “East Tennessee Brother” Greylan James — Chesney called James “my East Tennessee brother,” noting they both grew up in Knoxville and that his mother had cut the young James’s hair as a child. James joined Chesney on “Born,” the title track of Chesney’s 2024 album, which James co-wrote.
- Three-Song Deep Dive Into “Silver Sands Marina” — Chesney performed a mini-set of songs from the album, including “Burn My Boat,” “Goldfish” and “Talkin’ Dirt.”
- The Enduring Nostalgia of “American Kids” — Chesney thrilled the crowd with the timeless “American Kids,” complete with a sing-along chorus about making out on living room couches and growing up around trailer parks and truck stops.
- A Sultry Groove With “Somewhere With You” — Chesney’s 2010 detour into sultry pop polish paid off, with fans roaring approval for the R&B-tinged hit.
The Set List
The show was a celebration of the new album, and Chesney delivered a set that touched both old favorites and fresh material. He closed with “Just Don’t Happen Twice,” then signed shirts, hats and vinyl albums before returning to center stage to thank the crowd.
“We’ll see you next summer!” he said.
A Career Built On Connection
Chesney has spent his career building connections, from supporting artists like Old Dominion, Megan Moroney and Kelsea Ballerini early in their careers to being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His recent book Heart Life Music added another layer to his story.
Greylan James Joins The Stage
Chesney welcomed Greylan James to the stage as “my East Tennessee brother,” noting they both grew up in Knoxville. Chesney shared that his mother had cut the young James’s hair as a child, and that James wrote “Happy Does” for him. He praised James as “a fantastic singer-songwriter” and said he was proud to have him out on the tour next summer.
A Promise Of Next Summer
Chesney closed the show with a wave and a thank-you.
The 2027 tour is coming, and the show at The Pinnacle proved that Chesney still knows how to make a room feel like home.
Source material: “Kenny Chesney Welcomes Fans Into ‘Silver Sands Marina’ During Intimate Nashville Show: 5 Best Moments,” Billboard.
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