Country Music News

Kenny Chesney Rings The Gillette Stadium Bell To Kick Off Patriots-Dolphins Game [Watch]

Last August, Kenny Chesney headlined Foxborough, Mass.' Gillette Stadium for back-to-back night on his Here and Now Tour. On Sunday (Sept. 17,) he returned to the venue to give a very different sort of performance.

Chesney rang the bell as the official "Keeper of the Light" ahead of the New England Patriots' Sunday night game against the Miami Dolphins. The ceremonial bell-ringing was part of a new tradition for the stadium, which NFL legend Tom Brady kicked off last week for the first week of the Patriots' season.

In a video he posted to social media, Chesney admitted to some nerves before he rang the bell.

"It's one of the highlights of my life ringing this bell at Gillette Stadium. I'm more nervous doing this than anything I've ever done," Chesney says with a chuckle, before yanking the rope and ringing the bell to kick off the game. He turned to the stadium and blew a kiss to the crowd before heading back to his seat.

According to Gillette Stadium's website, the new lighthouse is a newly-constructed facet of the north end zone expansion project, including an observation deck that provides a view of the stadium and surrounding area from 22 stories above the playing field. The lighthouse will open to the general public on Oct. 1.

Kenny Chesney has sold his 4-bedroom, 9-bathroom, 12,599-square-foot hilltop estate in Tennessee for $11.5 million, and pictures show an opulent Mediterranean villa that is lavish even by the standards of other celebrity mansions.

Watch: Country Star Kenny Chesney Rings The Bell To Serve As Patriots' Second 'Keeper Of The Light'

Patriots Kenny Chesney has been the headliner for concerts at Gillette Stadium more than any other singer. Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff

The follow-up act for anything Tom Brady does has to be a tough position, but the Patriots were able to get a notable celebrity to be the second "Keeper of the Light."

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Kenny Chesney served as the second-ever "Keeper of the Light" at Gillette Stadium, ringing the bell prior to the Patriots taking the field for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

While Chesney has obviously never played for the Patriots, he actually has a special connection to Gillette Stadium. He's been the headline act for the most concerts at the venue since it opened in 2002, performing 21 shows there.

Chesney has been close to the Patriots' organization over the years, too. The country singer has attended a handful of Patriots training camp practices and has sat in team owner Robert Kraft's box for games on several occasions. One of those instances came during one of the biggest wins in Patriots history, with Chesney sitting next to Kraft as they watched New England come back from a 28-3 deficit to win Super Bowl LI.

Chesney, an East Tennessee native, has also stated his appreciation for the city of Boston in the past.

"The heart," Chesney said in an interview with Haute Living on why he likes Boston so much. "Passionate people who really care, who really dig in. Everyone I've ever met works hard, takes real pride in what they do and plays with the same kind of passion. The Kraft family, right down to the people selling concessions at the shows: I've met so many really fine people. It's a lot like where I come from, and that's saying something."

The Patriots donned the old, red "Pat Patriot" jerseys for Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins. Chesney, of course, never played in those jerseys, but he's tried on the helmet before.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Chesney will be performing at Gillette Stadium this month. Boston.Com regrets the error.

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Kenny Chesney Remembers Jimmy Buffett With 'A Pirate Looks At Forty'

The country superstar, whose own beachy songs owe a debt to the late songwriter, posted a video of him singing the Buffett ballad with the message "Sail on Sailor"

Kenny Chesney, whose own beach-forward country songs owe a debt to the tropical vibes of Jimmy Buffett, paid tribute to the "Margaritaville" songwriter with a solo performance of "A Pirate Looks at Forty." Buffett died Friday at 76.

Seated on some island beach before dawn with only his guitar, Chesney sings the first verse and chorus of Buffett's reflective 1974 ballad about a life well lived. At the end, he looks at the camera, blows a kiss, and says, "We miss you, Jimmy Buffett. Thank you for your friendship."

Chesney posted the video, and another clip of him singing "Margaritaville" with Buffett, along with the message: "So goodbye Jimmy. Thanks for your friendship and the songs I will carry in my heart forever. Sail On Sailor."

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The pair teamed up for Chesney's 2018 album Song for the Saints on an update of "Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season," a Buffett song that first appeared on his 1974 album A1A. Chesney also joined Buffett, alongside country stars like Alan Jackson and George Strait, on a version of Hank Williams' "Hey Good Lookin'" for Buffett's 2004 License to Chill LP, and also sang on the title track.

Buffett became a north star for contemporary country music, influencing the genre's party vibes and teaming up with stars like Zac Brown Band on "Knee Deep" and Alan Jackson on the drinking smash "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere." Jackson also remembered Buffett on Saturday, tweeting lyrics to "Boats to Build," the Guy Clark song that he sang with Buffett on License to Chill.

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