Kenny Chesney's Love Note To Caribbean After Disaster: It's About The Moving Forward : NPR

In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast, Kenny Chesney – the country artist who loved island life – lost everything at his vacation home in St. John. It wasn’t just a house; it was where he wrote songs, healed his soul, and found his quiet moments. After the storm, Kenny stepped onto the stage with a different look in his eyes – the look of someone who knew everything could vanish overnight.

Recently, after Texas was hit by severe storms, the forecast for Hurricane Erin emerged, expected to sweep over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and possibly reach Category 3 strength. For Kenny, that image is all too familiar: the howling winds, the rising seas, and the crashing waves – like a dark melody he’s heard too many times before.

After Katrina, Kenny turned his loss into action. He organized benefit concerts and raised millions for hurricane victims. In 2017, when Hurricane Irma devastated the Virgin Islands, he once again stepped up, launching the “Love for Love City” fund to aid recovery. For him, every hurricane is more than a weather event – it’s a story about people, love, and the resilience to rebuild.

How Kenny Chesney is Helping to Save an Island | News of St. John

As Erin moves closer, Kenny isn’t just a distant observer. He’s someone who has lived through it, lost through it, and found a way to mend. His story serves as a reminder: be prepared, stay alert, and never underestimate the power of nature.

🎵 Suggested listening: “Better Boat” – Kenny Chesney.

Lyrics:

I ain’t lonely, but I spend a lot of time aloneMore than I’d like to, but I’m okay with staying homeBy how the last few months have changedI smile of mourn despite the pain
I breathe in, I breathe outGot friends to call who let me talk aboutWhat ain’t working, what’s still hurtin’All the things I feel like cussing outNow and then I let it goAround the waves I can’t controlI’m learning how to build a better boat
I hate waiting, ain’t no patience in these handsI’m not complaining, sometimes it’s hard to change a manI think I’m stronger than I was, I let God do what it does
I breathe in, I breathe outGot friends to call who let me talk aboutWhat ain’t working, what’s still hurtin’All the things I feel like cussing outNow and then I let it goAround the waves I can’t controlI’m learning how to build a better boat
I breathe in, I breathe outGot friends to call who let me talk aboutWhat ain’t working, what’s still hurtin’All the things I feel like cussing outNow and then I let it goAround the waves I can’t controlIf it’s working I don’t knowBut I can’t down, the thing may not flowBut I’m to build a better boat