History of Mark Chesnutt in Timeline
Mark Chesnutt is an American country music singer and songwriter renowned for his chart success between 1990 and 1999. Recording under MCA and Decca, he released eight albums and achieved twenty top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including eight number-one singles such as "Brother Jukebox" and "Almost Goodbye." Several of his albums, including his first three for MCA and a 1996 Greatest Hits package, attained platinum certification from the RIAA. Since 2002, following a self-titled album on Columbia Records, Chesnutt has primarily recorded on independent labels.
1960: "What a Way to Live" original release
In 1960, the song "What a Way to Live" was originally recorded by Willie Nelson.
September 6, 1963: Mark Chesnutt's Birth
On September 6, 1963, Mark Nelson Chesnutt was born. He would later become a successful country music singer and songwriter.
1972: "Pride's Not Hard to Swallow" original release
In 1972, the song "Pride's Not Hard to Swallow" was originally released by Hank Williams Jr.
1972: "Woman, Sensuous Woman" original release
In 1972, the song "Woman, Sensuous Woman" was originally a single by Don Gibson.
1974: I'll Think of Something original release
In 1974, the song "I'll Think of Something" was previously a single for Hank Williams Jr.
1974: "Rainy Day Woman" original release
In 1974, the song "Rainy Day Woman" was originally recorded by Waylon Jennings.
1977: Brother Jukebox original release
In 1977, the song "Brother Jukebox" was originally released as a single by Don Everly of The Everly Brothers.
1985: "Down in Tennessee" original release
In 1985, the song "Down in Tennessee" was previously a single for John Anderson.
1986: Waylon Jennings releases Broken Promise Land
In 1986, Waylon Jennings previously released "Broken Promise Land".
1989: Keith Whitley records Brother Jukebox
In 1989, Keith Whitley recorded the song "Brother Jukebox" on his album "I Wonder Do You Think of Me".
1990: Greatest Chart Success
In 1990, Mark Chesnutt began his greatest chart success by recording for Universal Music Group Nashville's MCA.
1990: Release of Too Cold at Home
In 1990, Mark Chesnutt released his major-label debut "Too Cold at Home".
1990: Signed with MCA Records
In 1990, Mark Chesnutt signed with the Nashville branch of MCA Records, thanks to recommendation by Tony Brown to Mark Wright.
1991: Horizon Award Nomination
In 1991, Mark Chesnutt was nominated for the Country Music Association's Horizon Award (now known as Best New Artist).
1991: "Brother Jukebox" Number One Hit
In 1991, Mark Chesnutt's rendition of "Brother Jukebox" became his first number-one single on Hot Country Songs.
1992: George Jones' "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair"
In 1992, George Jones released the single "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair", which featured Mark Chesnutt as one of several guest vocalists.
1992: Marriage to Tracie Motley
In 1992, Mark Chesnutt married Tracie Motley after meeting her at a bar.
1992: Release of Longnecks & Short Stories and Number One Hit
In 1992, Mark Chesnutt released his second album, "Longnecks & Short Stories", which earned a platinum certification, and "I'll Think of Something" became Chesnutt's second number-one single on Billboard.
1993: Release of Almost Goodbye
In 1993, Mark Chesnutt released his third album for MCA, "Almost Goodbye", which produced three straight number-one singles and became his third platinum-certified album. He also won two Country Music Association Awards: the Horizon Award, and Vocal Event of the Year.
1993: Frito-Lay ad campaign
In 1993, Mark Chesnutt was featured in an ad campaign for Frito-Lay, singing their tagline "I know what I like and I like Fritos."
1993: Country Music Association Awards
In 1993, Mark Chesnutt won two awards from the Country Music Association: the Horizon Award (now known as Best New Artist) and Vocal Event of the Year.
1993: "She Dreams" original release
In 1993, the song "She Dreams" was previously a single for its co-writer Tim Mensy.
1994: "Too Cold at Home" Earns Platinum Certification
In 1994, "Too Cold at Home" earned a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for U.S. shipments of one million copies.
1994: Contribution to compilation albums
In 1994, Mark Chesnutt contributed three cover songs to multi-artist compilation albums, including "Goodbye Comes Hard for Me", "I Never Go Around Mirrors (I've Got a Heartache to Hide)", and "Good Ones and Bad Ones".
1994: Move to Decca Records and Release of What a Way to Live
In 1994, Mark Chesnutt moved to the revived Nashville branch of Decca Records and released his first Decca album, "What a Way to Live".
1994: What a Way to Live Certified Gold
In 1994, Mark Chesnutt's "What a Way to Live", which was issued on Decca, was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
1994: First Headlining Tours
In 1994, following the success of Almost Goodbye, Mark Chesnutt embarked on his first headlining tours.
May 1995: Break From Touring
In May 1995, Mark Chesnutt took most of the month off from touring.
1995: "Gonna Get a Life" Reaches Top of Charts
In 1995, "Gonna Get a Life" was the most successful single from the album, reaching the top of the Billboard country charts.
1995: Birth of son Waylon
In late 1995, Waylon Chesnutt was born, named after Waylon Jennings. Tracie, Mark's wife, became a stay-at-home mom and artist, while Mark began touring less frequently to spend more time with his family.
1996: Decca Issues Greatest Hits Package
In 1996, Decca issued a "Greatest Hits" package for Mark Chesnutt, featuring ten of his biggest hits and two new songs.
1996: Contribution to Christmas album
In 1996, Mark Chesnutt contributed a recording of the Christmas carol "What Child Is This?" to the radio station WKIS Christmas album. His version made the Hot Country Songs charts that same year due to seasonal airplay.
1996: Greatest Hits Package
In 1996, Mark Chesnutt's "Greatest Hits" package was issued on Decca, which would later be certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
1996: Emphasis on song quality over physical attractiveness
In a 1996 interview, Mark Chesnutt stated that he would rather play honky-tonks for $500 a week than be something he's not, emphasizing song quality over physical attractiveness, in contrast to the trend in country music at the time.
1997: "It's a Little Too Late" Becomes Number One
In 1997, "It's a Little Too Late", from the Greatest Hits package, became a number-one single on Billboard.
1997: Release of "Thank God for Believers" album
In 1997, Mark Chesnutt released the album "Thank God for Believers", reuniting with Wright as producer. The title track became a hit, reaching number two on the charts. The album also featured the re-release of "It's Not Over" from a previous album.
1998: Singles released from "Thank God for Believers"
In 1998, Mark Chesnutt released two more singles, "I Might Even Quit Lovin' You" and "Wherever You Are", from the "Thank God for Believers" album.
1998: Recording "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" cover
In late 1998, Mark Chesnutt recorded a cover of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", and promotion of "Wherever You Are" was withdrawn in favor of the cover.
January 1999: MCA Nashville absorbs Decca Nashville
In January 1999, MCA Nashville dissolved the Decca Nashville division, and Mark Chesnutt was one of the few artists to move back to MCA.
1999: Success of "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" cover
By early 1999, Mark Chesnutt's cover of "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" reached the top of the Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts and also entered the Billboard Hot 100.
1999: End of Recording at MCA and Decca
In 1999, Mark Chesnutt ended his period of greatest chart success recording for Universal Music Group Nashville's MCA and Decca branches.
2000: Release of "Lost in the Feeling" album
In October 2000, MCA released Mark Chesnutt's album "Lost in the Feeling", which included cover songs, but neither single made the Top 40.
2001: Duet vocal on Tracy Byrd's single
In early 2001, despite not being on a label, Mark Chesnutt sang duet vocals on Tracy Byrd's single "A Good Way to Get on My Bad Side."
2002: Self-Titled Album on Columbia Records
In 2002, Mark Chesnutt released a self-titled album on Columbia Records.
2002: Signing with Columbia Records and release of self-titled album
In 2002, Mark Chesnutt signed with Columbia Records and released his self-titled album. He also went on the Rockin' Roadhouse Tour with Joe Diffie and Tracy Lawrence to promote the album.
2004: Release of "Savin' the Honky Tonk" album
In 2004, Mark Chesnutt released his eleventh album, "Savin' the Honky Tonk," on the independent Vivaton! label, aiming for a return to his earlier honky-tonk sound. The album produced three singles.
2005: Touring in support of "Savin' the Honky Tonk"
In 2004 and 2005, Mark Chesnutt toured small venues in support of the "Savin' the Honky Tonk" album.
2005: Jimmy Ritchey Production
Since 2005, Jimmy Ritchey has produced Mark Chesnutt's work.
2006: Release of "Heard It in a Love Song" album
In 2006, Mark Chesnutt released the album "Heard It in a Love Song" on CBuJ Records, featuring cover songs including the title track.
2007: Signing with Lofton Creek Records
In 2007, Mark Chesnutt signed with Lofton Creek Records.
2008: Success of "Rollin' with the Flow" version
In late 2007-early 2008, Mark Chesnutt's version of "Rollin' with the Flow" reached number 25 on the country charts.
2010: Release of "Outlaw" album
In 2010, Mark Chesnutt released his album "Outlaw", which includes covers of songs by outlaw country artists. To support the album, he toured with Tracy Lawrence and Richie McDonald.
2012: Formation of Nada Dinero label
In 2012, Mark Chesnutt formed his own label, Nada Dinero.
2013: Invitation to open for George Jones's farewell tour
In 2013, George Jones invited Mark Chesnutt to be his opener on the last show of his farewell tour. However, Jones died, so Chesnutt and other artists held a tribute show in his honor instead.
2015: Release of "Greatest Hits" package
In 2015, Mark Chesnutt released a second Greatest Hits package on his Nada Dinero label, featuring one single, "When the Lights Go Out (Tracie's Song)".
2016: Release of "Tradition Lives" album
In 2016, Mark Chesnutt released his album "Tradition Lives", which included a cover of Merle Haggard's "There Won't Be Another Now".
2018: Chesnutt expresses disdain for "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" cover
In 2018, Mark Chesnutt expressed disdain for recording the cover of "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," stating it did not fit his style and the album did not sell well.
October 2021: Touring Hiatus
In October 2021, Mark Chesnutt announced a touring hiatus until 2022 to recover from back surgery.
November 1, 2023: Hospitalization for Critical Care
On November 1, 2023, Mark Chesnutt was hospitalized and received critical care, undergoing multiple tests. Concerts were canceled, but his condition was reported as stable.
June 2024: Emergency Quadruple Bypass Surgery
In June 2024, Mark Chesnutt was hospitalized again and underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery, leading to further show cancellations.
2026: Further Show Cancellations Due to Health Issues
In 2026, Mark Chesnutt experienced minor health issues that caused further show cancellations.
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