Heart Life Music | Kenny Chesney Moderated by: Holly Gleason

From small-town East Tennessee to sold-out stadiums, Kenny Chesney’s journey has always been fueled by connection—between people, place, and song. In Heart Life Music, Chesney reflects on the moments that shaped him: the end of a high school football dream, the spark he found on a barstool with a guitar, and the Nashville of his early days, rich with characters, legends, and creative grit. In conversation with acclaimed music journalist Holly Gleason, Chesney shares the personal stories behind the music that defined a generation and built No Shoes Nation. Together, they explore the search for identity, the meaning of home, whether in Tennessee or by the ocean, and how heart, hustle, and honesty turned a young dreamer into one of contemporary country music’s most enduring voices. The New Orleans Book Festival brings the world’s leading authors to Tulane University for a multi-day celebration of their works. The Festival features both fiction and non-fiction and convenes readings, panel discussions, symposia and keynote speeches. It provides an opportunity for outlets, authors and readers to interact with each other in one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse cities in the world.