For much of the last two decades, there have been no country music stars bigger than Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. Separately, they have each sold tens of millions of records and racked up hit album after hit album. Now the two iconic singers have teamed up for the Brothers of the Sun Tour; crisscrossing the country and bringing one of the best shows in music to 19 different cities.
Whether you're more a fan of Chesney's Tennessee twang on songs such as "Keg in the Closet" and "Young," or prefer McGraw's more wistful, ballad-driven catalogue, it's hard to deny both of their places in the pantheon of country music performers. In fact, both Chesney and McGraw consider one another great friends, yet this marks just the first time in the last 10 years the two performers have hit the road together. Before the tour kicked off on June 2 in Tampa, Florida, it was clear both were excited to get going.
"Our friendship was forged on the road, so it's going to be a blast heading out with Kenny again," said McGraw in a statement. "We'll be having as much fun on stage as the fans will be having in the audience."
A quick look at each singer's resume reveals how instrumental they are to the country music industry. Since Chesney's 1994 debut In My Wildest Dreams, he has arguably been the most consistent musician not only in country, but in the whole industry. He has earned numerous Academy of Country Music Awards along with an astonishing 20 number one hits on the country charts. With timeless tunes including "Summertime" and "Don't Blink," he has continued to produce popular tracks well into the 2000s.
As for McGraw, his track record is just as impressive. He released his self-titled debut in 1993, but it was his sophomore album Not a Moment Too Soon that set him down the path to stardom. The record vaulted to the top of the Billboard 200 chart and was the best selling album of 1994. Since then he has gone on to sell approximately 40 million albums and has proven to be among the most versatile talents in the industry.
The Brothers of the Sun Tour may already be underway, but it has a number of future dates already set. McGraw and Chesney will be visiting the likes of Indianapolis, Cleveland and New Orleans before wrapping up the tour on August 25, 2012, in Foxboro, Massachusetts.