Exclusive Artist Interview: Charles Esten

Singer-Songwriter Bringing Love Ain’t Pretty Tour To Charlotte

Through the years, Charles Esten has been a busy man pursuing a host of careers in the creative arts. You may have seen him portraying Deacon Claybourne on the hit television series Nashville or playing Ward Cameron on the hit Netflix series Outer Banks. Esten is a man of many talents but his passion for music goes way back to his college days of playing in a band. While filming Nashville, he was able to take advantage of the incredible artists and songwriters that make the city of Nashville so special. After a long time coming, Charles released his debut album Love Ain’t Pretty this last January.

The album is a wonderful blend of soulful ballads and foot-stomping country rockers. You’ll want to spend some time with this one and take in all it has to offer. From the upbeat romp of “I Ain’t” to the reflective need of “A Little Right Now,” Love Ain’t Pretty will hit you in the feels and have you laughing, smiling, and probably shedding a few tears. Esten has been out overseas touring in support of the album and will kick off the U.S. leg of the tour this Friday, May 31st, right here in Charlotte at the Neighborhood Theatre. 

Click Here for Tickets to the Charlotte Show!

Shutter 16 Magazine had the opportunity to chat with Charles and find out all about the new record and the upcoming tour dates. We even found out a lot of interesting things including his Guinness World Record and his early portrayal of Buddy Holly in the UK. Please join us below for the interview in full. 

CHARLES ESTEN’S LOVE AIN’T PRETTY TRACK LIST

1. “Love Ain’t Pretty” (Charles Esten, Marshall Altman, Jimmy Yeary)
2. “A Little Right Now” (Charles Esten, Jacob Lyda, Brian Maher)
3. “One Good Move” (Charles Esten, Sam Backoff, Zarni de Vette, Elise Hayes)
4. “In A Bar Somewhere” (Charles Esten, Jason Gantt, Neil Medley)
5. “I Ain’t” (Charles Esten, Brad Crisler, James LeBlanc)
6. “Another Song About You” (Charles Esten, Colin Elmore)
7. “When Love Ain’t Love” (Charles Esten, Jeffrey East)
8. “Candlelight” (Charles Esten, Kenny Alphin, Eric Paslay)
9. “Back In My Life Again” (Charles Esten, Marcus Hummon, Bryan Todd)
10. “Make You Happy” (Charles Esten, Gary Burr, Jon D’Agostino)
11. “Willing To Try” (Charles Esten, Gary Burr)
12. “Maybe I’m Alright” (Charles Esten, Leslie Satcher)
13. “Down The Road (feat. Eric Paslay)” (Charles Esten, Eric Paslay, Dylan Altman)
14. “Somewhere In The Sunshine” (Charles Esten, Jon Nite)
    All Songs Produced by Marshall Altman

Tour Dates:

MAY 31
NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE
CHARLOTTE, NC

JUN 3
FOLDS OF HONOR ROCK ‘N JOCK CELEBRITY SOFTBALL GAME
NASHVILLE TN

JUN 7
FRANKLIN THEATRE
NASHVILLE, TN

JUN 8
CMA CLOSE UP STAGE (INSIDE FAN FAIR X) CHARLES ESTEN: DEACON, WARD & LIFE AIN’T PRETTY 2:45PM
NASHVILLE TN

JUN 8
CMA FEST ASCEND AMPHITHEATER : TRACY LAWRENCE AND FRIENDS 7PM
NASHVILLE, TN

JUN 14
RACKET
NEW YORK, NY

JUN 15
RAMS HEAD ON STAGE
ANNAPOLIS, MD

JUN 16
TALLY HO THEATER
LEESBURG, VA

JUN 22
TOAD’S PLACE
NEW HAVEN, CT

JUN 23
ARDMORE MUSIC HALL
ARDMORE, PA

JUN 28
BOOT BARN HALL
GAINESVILLE, GA

JUN 29
PRINCESS THEATRE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
DECATUR, AL

JUL 26
PIONEER THEATER
MANTEO, NC

AUG 9
VIVARIUM
MILWAUKEE, WI

AUG 23
1884 LOUNGE
MEMPHIS, TN

KEEP UP WITH CHARLES ESTEN

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PHOTO CREDIT: KIRSTEN BALANI