Country music critics and fans alike need look no further when it comes to Country music basics. If you ask Mark Chesnutt he’ll tell you, “It’s the music that has kept me around this long.” In a world that sometimes confuses style with substance, Mark Chesnutt possesses both. Remaining true to himself as a traditional country artist while still keeping up with the ever-changing country landscape, Mark has a knack for picking great songs; delivering them with his world-class vocals; and with real heart-felt emotion. Mark has set the bar for his generation—not just for his being a consistent hit maker, but because of his love of genuine country music. Mark Chesnutt’s personal integrity as well as his principal to record a genuine country song has made him a fixture on radio and in the honky tonks.

Chesnutt got his start in the honky-tonks of Beaumont, Texas, learning from his father, Bob Chesnutt, a singer, record collector, and major fan of classic country music. Playing along side his dad, one set at a time, Mark embraced his father’s influence and began making a name for himself. Mark sang covers by Lefty, Merle, George, and Waylon to develop his unmatched crowd-pleasing rapport and his authentic country style.

Bob Chesnutt often traveled to Nashville to record and to broaden his exposure. He began taking Mark along to record when he was just 17. After nearly a decade of recording on regional labels, word got out about this young country vocalist. Music Row executives came to hear Mark on his own Texas turf and recognized the depth of Mark Chesnutt’s raw talent. In 1989, he was signed to MCA Nashville and his list of accolades tells the rest of his story. With the release of his first single, “Too Cold At Home,” Mark established himself as one of country’s most authentic and talented vocalists. He won the CMA Horizon Award getting the attention of country legend George Jones who stated “This boy from Beaumont, Texas is the real deal.” That recognition and initial success opened the door to give Mark the chance to do what he enjoyed most—sing country music for country fans but this time, on a national level. “The first couple years it was non-stop.” Mark says. “I can remember one time during a tour, I didn’t see home for ten months, with exception of a day or a day-and-a-half, then, it was right back out again.”


Mark’s dedication paid off. He developed a fan base that is true blue which in turn helped his records climb the charts one right after the other; making him one of Billboard’s ten most-played radio artists of the ‘90’s. Mark’s singles were some the decade’s most memorable; from the fun tempo “Bubba Shot The Jukebox” to emotional ballad “I’ll Think Of Something.” Mark is easily identified for his string of hits including “Brother Jukebox,” “Blame It On Texas,” “Old Flames Have New Names,” “Old Country,” “It Sure Is Monday,” “Almost Goodbye,” “I Just Wanted You To Know,” “Going Through The Big D,” “It’s A Little Too Late,” “Gonna Get A Life,” and one of his biggest, “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” which held its position at the top of the charts for four consecutive weeks.

All the recorded highlights he has emassed take a back seat, however, to his first love. Mark Chesnutt lives for the stage. “I just make records because I want people to come see my show,” he says with a grin. “Just listening to music is great,” he says, “but I’ve got to be out there on stage making it.” Fans who have seen him perform agree. Known as one of the industry’s hardest-working concert performers, maintaining a hefty tour schedule and steady presence in front of his fans, Mark’s dedication to deliver live music is unsurpassed. Mark has been on the road since 1990. His last tour Rockin’ Roadhouse Tour with friends Tracy Lawrence and Joe Diffie wrapped last summer. This year, you will find Mark doing what he was born to do, touring and playing the clubs and honky tonks across our great nation. “Clubs and honk tonks are home for me; it’s comfortable and I’m always with friends,” says Chesnutt.

His tour theme is “Savin’The Honky Tonk” and if Mark Chesnutt is on the stage, then we can be assured that the Honky Tonk is alive and well, no matter what part of the country Mark Chesnutt is playing in.

“Mark Chesnutt gave honky-tonk music back its soul,” noted music critic Robert K. Oermann. “When he appeared on an arid musical landscape back in 1990, I dubbed him the hillbilly messiah.” Oermann states. “I still feel that way today and I’ll feel that way decades from now.”

Married since 1992, Mark and Tracie Chesnutt are the loving parents of three boys, Waylon, Casey, and Cameron.

Newly signed to Vivaton Records, Mark released his debut single, “The Lord Loves The Drinkin’ Man” in June. His upcoming album (produced with Jimmy Ritchey) entitled Savin’ The Honky Tonk is slated to hit shelves September 21st, 2004.