Kenny Chesney Announces Silver Sands Marina, His First Album on Independent Hey Now Records

On September 25, 2026, country star Kenny Chesney will drop his 21st studio album, Silver Sands Marina, the first release under his newly launched independent label, Hey Now Records. The 11‑song set, produced by Chesney alongside long‑time collaborator Buddy Cannon, marks a pivotal shift in the artist’s career as he takes full ownership of his music.

The album opens with “Carry On,” Chesney’s 100th entry on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. The single entered the list at No. 31 and has already racked up 1.5 million U.S. streams, 10.5 million radio impressions, and 2,000 units sold. Written with Jessi Alexander, Matt Jenkins and Chase McGill, and co‑produced by Chesney and Cannon, “Carry On” sets the tone for a project that blends familiar sounds with fresh collaborations.

Songwriting credits read like a Nashville who’s‑who: Tony Lane, Tenille Townes, Matraca Berg, Shane McAnally, Brett James, Jessie Jo Dillon and Adam Wright all contributed. Guest vocalists add color, with Colbie Caillat, Lily Meola and Megan Moroney (who previously featured on Moroney’s “You Had to Be There”) lending their voices to select tracks. In a recent interview, Chesney reflected, “I love everything about music, but especially how it makes you feel. It can crack open a tough moment, lift you up, blow you up and make you laugh harder than anything.” He added that the album’s inspiration came from a handful of songs that “took shape” and that the collaborators “fit the songs” and “places I’ve never gone.”

The title track, penned by Johnny Clawson and Kyle Sturrock, was released on June 24. Chesney described it as “well‑written,” noting its vivid imagery of “the fall in the air, the lake and that solitude.” He said the song reminds listeners that “the magic happens in the simplest, realest places” and that “you just have to be open to letting it happen.”

Chesney has promoted the album through appearances on TalkShopLive, where he first discussed his book Heart Life Music and scheduled a return on July 15 to talk about the album’s creation. He also launched a second residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, adding a new venue to his touring schedule.

Hey Now Records, headed by Chesney, positions itself as a boutique label that gives artists control over their releases. With Silver Sands Marina as its inaugural offering, the label plans to expand its roster as it grows.

The release follows a career that has earned Chesney 30 million album sales worldwide, 27 top‑40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, and multiple Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music awards. His induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2025 underscored his standing in the genre.

Silver Sands Marina will be available for purchase and streaming on all major platforms on September 25. Fans can pre‑order the album—complete with a signed copy option—through Chesney’s official website and select retailers.

The album represents a new chapter for Chesney, combining a long‑standing partnership with Buddy Cannon, a roster of high‑profile Nashville songwriters, and a move toward independent label ownership. Its timing and content signal a focus on authenticity and personal storytelling, themes that have defined his work for more than two decades.