Kenny Chesney‘s band, road crew and other staff are the ones getting honored, and no one is happier than their tour boss. The singer’s employees received a total of 17 CMA Touring Awards nominations after his 2024 Sun Goes Down Tour, in multiple categories including Tour Manager of the Year, Stage Manager of the Year, Unsung Hero of the Year, the all-encompassing Crew of the Year and more.
“When they called me to tell me the news, I felt like a bit of a slacker,” Chesney says. “I love my guys and the girls out on the road, in the office and points in between. They fire me up, inspire me to push what we do – and this year was easily the best year we’ve ever had on the road. Whether it’s Terry Ford driving the Knoxville bus, Nick Buda beating those drums, Tom Petty’s incredible Robert Scovill mixing front of house or rock and roll legend Robin Majors as Unsung Hero, everybody out there gives to the peak, then throws it all at the music when we take the stage.
“I’ve got lifers like my longtime manager Clint Higham, who’s been here for all of it, my tour manager and best friend growing up David Farmer and [the] who-says-we-can’t production manager Ed Wannebo all making my crazy ideas happen.”
Chesney goes on to mention others on his crew, including his talent agent, Mike Betterton, his publicist, Janet Buck, and more, all of whose work he has taken specific notice of while on his Sun Goes Down Tour, which wrapped up in August.
Photo Credit: Jill Trunnell
“We all work hard, play hard, dream hard and rock hard,” says the singer. “It’s great seeing the people who push me, who create this very special environment with me and deliver night after night at the top of their game recognized. I can say ‘thank you’ over and over again, but when they’re acknowledged by the industry where they do this incredible work? To me, that’s the highest honor they can have. Seeing so many names of people who’ve helped build this? That tells you about the Sun Goes Down 2024 team.”
Chesney has been very vocal about his gratitude, especially for those who travel with him while on the road. Saying goodbye to them was as hard for him as saying goodbye to his fans after his last tour concluded.
“The thing about these summers together, is it really is all about friendship,” Chesney says. “It’s about the people out here, our road family and everyone else’s road family, and how those connections grow. It’s a lot, and it’s precious.”
See a list of all of Chesney’s CMA Touring Awards nominations below. He currently has a Top 25 hit at radio with “Just To Say We Did,” from his latest BORN album. Find all of Chesney’s music and upcoming shows at KennyChesney.com.
Kenny Chesney’s CMA Awards Touring Nominees:
Crew of the Year: Sun Goes Down Tour crew
Backline Technician of the Year: Terry Fox
Business Manager of the Year: Renee Allen, Arnie Barn, Inc.
Coach/Truck Driver of the Year: Terry Ford
FOH (Front of House) Engineer of the Year: Robert Scovill
Lighting Director of the Year: Philip Ealy
Manager of the Year: Clint Higham, Morris Higham Management
Production Manager of the Year: Ed Wannebo
Publicist of the Year: Janet Buck, Essential Broadcast Media
Stage Manager of the Year: Tom Nisun
Support Services Company of the Year: Richards & Southern
Talent Agent of the Year: Mike Betterton, Wasserman Music
Tour Manager of the Year: David Farmer
Touring Musician of the Year: Nick Buda (drums)
Tour Videographer/Photographer of the Year: Jill Trunnell
Tour Video Director of the Year: Jay Cooper
Unsung Hero of the Year: Robin Majors
Photo Credit: Catherine Powell