Chesnutt, born in Beaumont, Texas, quit high school in 11th grade and was performing in Texas clubs by age 17. Known for his honky-tonk style of traditional country music, he has racked up 40 Hot Country Songs entries, including nine No. 1s among 20 top 10s. He won the Horizon Award as the best emerging artist at the 1993 Country Music Association Awards.
In 2016, Chesnutt, now 57, released his most LP, Tradition Lives, which reached No. 22 on Top Country Albums.
