No shoes, no shirt. All Heart- why we became a Kenny Chesney Tribute Band

an interview with The Poets and Pirates, featured on Tribute Band Insiders website And reposted in No Shoes fans forums. 

(Beth, TBI): So let's get right to it — why Kenny Chesney? What made you guys want to build a tribute band around his music?

Shane (vocals):
Man, Kenny's not just country — he's a feeling. He's sunshine in your rearview mirror, late nights on the water, heartbreak that doesn't destroy you. When I sing Kenny, I'm not just covering songs — I'm tapping into a lifestyle people crave. That "No Shoes Nation" thing? It's real. And I wanted to bring that to life on stage.

Mason (guitar):
I grew up on classic rock, but when I started diving into Kenny's stuff — especially the deeper cuts — I realized how underrated his guitar-driven arrangements are. There's soul in those chord progressions. And live? His energy is infectious. You plug in and suddenly you're on a boat in the Keys with a cold one in your hand.

Beth: Did you all start out as Kenny fans, or did it grow on you?

Mike (drums):
Honestly? I wasn't all-in at first. I was more of a 90s grunge guy. But Shane convinced me to sit down and really listen. Songs like "There Goes My Life" or "Noise" — they hit. And then the beachy stuff like "When the Sun Goes Down"?That groove? Drumming heaven. Now I'm wearing flip-flops more than boots.

Gregg (bass):
I was probably the quietest Kenny fan in the group. But when you're playing a groove like "You and Tequila", and the whole room sways with you? It's spiritual. He makes country music for people who've lived a little — people chasing peace, not just the party. That spoke to me.

Beth: Why do a tribute band instead of your own original stuff?

Shane:
Look, we've all done the "original band" thing. Late nights playing to five people and a bartender. But Kenny's music gives us a way to connect with big crowds right now, without compromising the love of music. People come to feel good. We give 'em that.

Mason:
Plus, let's be honest — people love hearing songs they already know and love. When we launch into "American Kids" or "Beer in Mexico", the place erupts. That kind of energy is addictive.

Beth: What's the ultimate goal for the band?

Mike:
We wanna be the go-to Kenny Chesney tribute. Big stages, summer festivals, sold-out beach bars. We're not just copying — we're channeling something real.

Gregg:
And we want to be part of people's memories. If someone sees us on a Friday night and it becomes the highlight of their summer? That's everything.

RS: Any message to Kenny himself?

Shane:
Kenny — if you're out there, thanks for building the soundtrack to people's best days. We're just keeping that flame alive. And hey — if you ever need an opener…

Stay tuned for upcoming tour dates, behind-the-scenes content, and more stories from the road with The Poets and Pirates. Summertime is calling — and we're answering with guitars in hand.