After teasing the release a few weeks ago, this morning Kenny Chesney released an updated iPhone app, plus the much anticipated Android version. iPad and Mac platforms both have their own apps now too.
The apps, which are available now for iPhones, iPads, Androids, and Apple computers, are the first of their kind in mobile artist platforms, combining Chesney’s signature radio station, web store, and social media channels into one user-friendly experience. Chesney was personally involved with designing the apps, applying the same attention to detail that he does with his live performances and recording sessions. “I wanted these apps to be an extension of my albums and shows,” Chesney said. “Even in the middle of the winter, fans can open up the app wherever they are, listen to a little No Shoes Radio, take a photo that looks like it came straight out of my music video, and feel like they’re back at the party all year long.”
“The evolution of radio continues to put more power into the hands of the consumer, and these apps allow No Shoes Radio fans to listen wherever they are — in the car, on their boat, on the beach — and on even more of their devices,” No Shoes Radio Program Director Jon Anthony said.
Perhaps one of the coolest new features is the suite of camera filters, similar to Instagram. You can take pictures within the app, or pull an existing picture, and easily apply filters, including the Fishbowl filter:
Here are a few key features of the apps: Listen to songs hand-picked by Chesney through No Shoes Radio. Not only can users keep their friends updated with what they’re listening to through Facebook and Twitter (with hashtags and other Twitter symbols built-in), but they can also request songs to be played on the station. On the mobile version, a variety of skins are available so that fans can choose the ideal backdrop for their own customized No Shoes Radio listening experience.
While listening to No Shoes Radio, users can purchase tickets to concerts and view a countdown to the show they’re attending, which can be shared through their social networks. Fans can even access a map that will provide driving directions to a show. If a fan would like to avoid lines at the concert, merchandise can be bought directly through the app, arriving at the user’s doorstep days later.
Fans can preview and purchase Chesney’s albums on iTunes/Amazon, and enjoy them without leaving the app.
Other features include compatibility with Apple AirPlay for easy wireless streaming and an “On the Road” section that highlights fans’ social media posts and photos.
Over at Kenny’s official site they’re counting down the days to the release of his latest album with Tales From the Fishbowl.
Each day a different song from Welcome to the Fishbowl will be featured. Kenny provides exclusive commentary on the tracks… his inspiration and thought process that went into each tune.
We’re already on day two, which discusses his current radio single “Come Over”.
“Technically, ‘Feel Like a Rock Star’ was the first single off the record, but that song was always about setting up the moment of Tim and I going on tour together,” Kenny says. “If we weren’t touring this summer, I would have gone with ‘Come Over’ as the first single.”
We’ve already seen the amazing ways No Shoes Nation is reacting to the song, whether you requested it at radio, watched the video on YouTube, or sang along as Kenny performed at this week’s CMT Awards. Perhaps it’s our shared experience with love and loss that’s making you connect so deeply with the lyrics. After all, says Kenny, “I feel like it might be one of the most emotionally universal songs I’ve ever recorded. When you break up with someone, you don’t break up all at once. You break up over time. And that’s the thread of the song. Letting go is hard.” Breakups – of relationships, friendships, even the ones that happen on a professional level – carry so many levels of feeling, all of which Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne captured so beautifully in their songwriting, and Kenny expresses so purely in his interpretation. “There’s insecurity, and vulnerability in meeting someone new, letting someone else in your life,” Kenny says. “I mean, that’s why it’s easier to go back to what’s familiar,” he laughs. “I call this my ‘comfortable booty call’ song.”
Music superstar Kenny Chesney announced he’s expanding his partnership with Costa with five new limited edition sunglasses, with a portion of the proceeds continuing to benefit Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). The partnership, which debuted in 2011 on Chesney’s “Goin’ Coastal” concert tour, has raised more than $50,000 for CCA to date.
The five new Kenny Chesney Costa styles include Hammerhead, Caballito, Switchfoot, Hammock and Maya, and will retail from $129 to $199. Each style will feature Kenny Chesney’s signature and his palm tree logo inside the frame, and will come in a variety of unique color combinations, including tortoise/light green, black/white and clear/light blue.
The sunglasses will be available for purchase at authorized Costa retail outlets and online at www.costadelmar.com/kenny in late May.
Five percent of the sales from this year’s limited edition sunglasses will benefit CCA’s ongoing marine conservation efforts. In addition to CCA’s long history of advocating for the conservation of coastal marine resources, the grassroots organization has helped fund habitat restoration initiatives throughout the Gulf of Mexico and south Atlantic, including a $500,000 project for Independence Island in Louisiana. The group also secured more than $400,000 in Texas reefing projects, reef creation in Alabama’s Bon Secour Bay, and oyster restoration efforts in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Maryland.
“The partnership with Costa Sunglasses and the Coastal Conservation Association is a natural extension of who I am and what I believe in,” said Chesney. “We live the coastal lifestyle – it’s part of who we are. It’s up to us to help protect and preserve the oceans and beaches for future generations.”
“Support from a superstar like Kenny Chesney and a visionary corporation like Costa does so much to focus attention on important ocean conservation issues,” said Pat Murray, president of CCA. “The funds raised through the Limited Edition Kenny Chesney Costa Sunglasses will go to help programs such as marine habitat creation and youth outreach, ensuring a brighter future for our shared marine resources.”
Costa also announced its title sponsorship of Chesney’s online radio station, No Shoes Radio (www.noshoesradio.com). The free station offers listeners a glimpse into Chesney’s personal music playlist, with songs from artists ranging from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to George Jones to Police. No Shoes Radio will broadcast live from various Costa retail outlets throughout Chesney’s “Brothers of the Sun” summer concert tour with musical artist Tim McGraw.
“We’re excited to continue our relationship with Kenny in 2012. I think his fans will love the new styles and new colors we’ve created for this year’s line,” said Al Perkinson, vice president of marketing for Costa Sunglasses. “Not only will fans love how they look, they’ll also love how they feel, because by buying Kenny Costas they are helping to protect the coast lines we all love so much.”
Chesney kicks off his Brothers of the Sun tour 2012 presented by Corona Light in Tampa, Fla. on Sat., June 2. For more information, visit www.kennychesney.com.
The day before Kenny Chesney plays to tens of thousands of fans at Gillette Stadium, he played to a few hundred at the Royale Nightclub as part of the CMA Songwriters Series.
“When you hear songs on the radio and wonder where they come from, this,’’ said Kenny Chesney, sweeping an arm toward his left and right, “is where they come from.’’
The country superstar was gesturing toward five fellow songwriters on the stage at Royale – Bob DiPiero, Matraca Berg, Craig Wiseman, Wendell Mobley, and Brett James – who are responsible for some of the biggest hits in country music of the last two decades, including some of Chesney’s best-known songs.
Armed with acoustic guitars and their voices, the sextet spent 2 1/2 captivating hours singing, telling tales on each other, and breaking down what’s involved in creating the soundtrack to listeners’ lives.
It was a treat to watch Chesney, who graduated to stadium-level success years ago, shrink his larger-than-life persona down for the small stage, excitedly talking about the bones of his songs like “Old Blue Chair’’ and joining his partners in rhyme to play, sing backup and laugh along with their stories.
First announced back in June, Kenny Chesney will perform in Boston as part of the CMA Songwriters Series next week. And lucky for us, the show will be streamed live!
“I came to town as a songwriter and always consider myself a songwriter first,” said Chesney. “I’m looking forward to playing alongside my friends and heroes who create and write amazing songs for a living. I’m really proud to help the CMA show the fans what great music comes out of Nashville from our awesome writers. I couldn’t think of a better place to showcase this than in the city of Boston. The fans have been amazing to us and I am thrilled to be ending our tour with over 100,000 sold tickets in one of the greatest markets in the world.”
Joining Chesney will be songwriters Matraca Berg, Brett James, and Wendell Mobley. Songwriter Bob DiPiero will be the host for the evening.
Kenny Chesney’s new single “Pirate Flag,” the first release from his upcoming album, will make its world debut tonight on No Shoes Radio!
Already excited to see Kenny Chesney in concert next summer? In just a couple days we’re going to learn what he’s got in store for us next summer.
Over at Kenny’s 
The day before Kenny Chesney plays to tens of thousands of fans at Gillette Stadium, he played to a few hundred at the Royale Nightclub as part of the CMA Songwriters Series.
