Break time: Country superstar Kenny Chesney says he's running 'on an empty tank'

September 16, 11:01 PMCountry Music ExaminerLisa L. Rollins

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Kenny Chesney, here at the 2009 CMA festival in Nashville, says
   it's time for a break from the road. (Photo: Ed Rode/CMA)

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For current-day country-radio listeners, it's difficult to imagine a soundscape without Kenny Chesney, and after nearly a decade of nonstop touring and recording, the big-draw headliner's decided he needs a break.

Aside from recording and touring, the singer-songwriter, in summer 2009, launched No Shoes Radio, his own online-radio channel that touts itself as "a 24/7 destination for all things Kenny."

Then, most recently, he shared the news that--inspired by his own "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem" approach to life--he was joining the ranks of country music's fashionistas, such as Toby Keith and Taylor Swift, and launching his own clothing line, a "just-chillin'"-inspired collection called Blue Chair Bay. (Needless to say, it's not hard to imagine why he might need some down time.)

At present, the Tennessee native's on the road with his Sun City Carnival tour that's set to wrap up Sept. 19 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. The thought of immediately planning a next big tour, however, isn't one that especially appeals to the road-weary country superstar at the moment.

Specifically, according to a Sept. 16 report from industry trade Country Aircheck, a source close to the Forbes-listed performer "doesn't want to think about gearing up for another tour."

One of the top all-genre, live-show draws for eight years, the 41-year-old Chesney's spent the past five years in a row headlining stadiums, with each tour production growing bigger than the one prior. In turn, the one-time hubby of Renee Zelwigger says he's ready to take a break from the road in 2010

Instead of touring, Chesney "wants to think about his album, spending more time writing and enjoying some breathing space,"  according to Country Aircheck. Moreover, in an a Sept.15 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Chesney reveals, "I'm not making any concrete plans. I'm probably going to have a record out in the spring. ... it's not like I'm going completely away."

Until he opts to hit the road once more, Chesney fans are advised to take a breather, too. Just tune into his No Shoes Radio and sit back in that favorite Blue Chair T-shirt for a spell, with nary a care. After all, it's not likely that the bonafide road warrior will be gone from the live scene too long.

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