Kenny Chesney's no stranger to a stadium, but there's just something special about small, unfussy bar stages, where an artist can sing just feet away from their fans.
Chesney — and an unsuspecting bar room full of listeners — got to experience that magic first-hand at Captain Tony's Saloon in Key West, Fla., recently, as the country superstar took the stage for an impromptu performance of his 2011 hit, "You and Tequila."
Originally recorded as a duet with Grace Potter, "You and Tequila" — a searing ballad about a dangerously intoxicating love affair — earned Chesney a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It's a fan favorite, and frequently makes an appearance in his live set list, but this intimate ballad is best served by a venue like Captain Tony's.
In the small setting, Chesney's emotional vocal delivery and intimate lyrics could take center stage, attended only by the gentle strumming of his acoustic guitar.
Chesney dressed down for the occasion, wearing shorts and a backwards ball cap. It was fitting for the dive bar-esque setting, a pool table in the background behind the singer as he sang.