Kenny Chesney is one of country music's biggest artists. He was also one of the first people who believed in Taylor Swift's talent. However, he didn't expect that her impact would reach a global scale.
In 2007, Chesney went on his Flip-Flop Summer Tour, and Taylor Swift, who was only 17 years old then, was supposed to be his opening act.
Unfortunately, they had to pull her out of the lineup because of her age, as a beer company became a sponsor of his series of concerts.
Swift recalled the moment in her cover story for Time Magazine, saying she was "devastated" after she heard the news.
Chesney reached out to the singer about the incident and sent her a letter of apology, which read: "I'm sorry that you couldn't come on the tour, so I wanted to make it up to you." Aside from the note, the country star also gave her a check that Swift considered to be "more money" than she had ever seen in her life at the time. (via People Magazine)
Kenny Chesney on Taylor Swift Years After Their Interaction
The musician recently spoke with USA Today for an interview where he shared his first impressions of the pop star and his reaction to her Time Magazine interview.
The country singer said he reached out to the "White Horse" hitmaker after he read her cover story and expressed his gratitude for her love because he was stunned that she remembered his big gesture.
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"To see what she did with that and the person she is now and the artist she is now and the creator that she is now - it is unbelievable what she has become," he added.
Kenny Chesney Believed in Taylor Swift's Talent But Didn't Expect Her Massive Impact
Chesney recognized Swift's talent when she was still a teenager as she almost went on tour with him, but he noted that he didn't expect her impact to be this big.
The country star recalled telling his promoter that Swift was "going to be something one day," but he was surprised that she would "help bring the world together" because of her talent.
As of this writing, the two have yet to collaborate on a song, but they have been able to sing a few times on stage, such as at Swift's 2011 Speak Now Tour and one of Chesney's concerts in 2015.
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