Only on PEOPLE.com: Behind the Scenes with Kenny Chesney

PEOPLE follows the singer as he promotes The Big Revival's release on Today
By Kate Hogan and Katie Kauss
Updated September 23, 2014 06:00 PM

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SOUND OFF

Credit: Katie Kauss for PEOPLE.com

Despite the early morning wake-up call, Kenny Chesney hits the stage with a smile on Tuesday at Today in New York's Rockefeller Center, the same day his latest album, The Big Revival, was released.

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FAN-DEMONIUM

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Hundreds turned out for Chesney's morning-show mini-concert, which featured the first single from The Big Revival, plus older favorites "Somewhere with You" and "Beer in Mexico."

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UNDER COVER

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There it is! Chesney makes his message clear during warm-ups. "I wanted to take my audience to a different place," he told the Today crew after his performance. "You get to a point in your career, in your life, where you want to say something a little different."

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SELFIE AWARENESS

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Snap! The singer happily obliges a fan with one very snuggly selfie. "I wanted to push my audience … without alienating them," Chesney said of the record. "That's why I took my time. I didn't do anything other than make a record. I'm glad I did that; my life needed it, I needed it and it was fun."

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PITCH PERFECT

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One more mic check, then we're live! "Music has always been a big part of my life," the star said. "I think it's human nature to let music do what it does to you in your soul. If I want to feel happy, music can make me feel happy. If I really want to feel sad, music can make me feel sad. If I just want to escape, music does that to me. I think that's the way it is for a lot of people."

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DOGGONE IT!

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Chesney makes a new friend during his time at 30 Rock – the Rock Center security dog!

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TIME TO SHINE

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The fan favorite gets the crowd going as the cameras roll at 8:30 a.m.

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THAT'S A WRAP!

Credit: Katie Kauss for PEOPLE.com

Chesney finishes his outdoor appearance with a chat with Today's Matt Lauer and Hoda Kotb (a big country fan). "For me, music was a dream and a highway to go down," the singer said. "When I was in college and didn't really know what I wanted to do, music was always there. It is medicine and it's a lot of other things for me."

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By Kate Hogan and Katie Kauss