People.com Entertainment Music Country 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 Kauss and Kate Hogan Kate Hogan Instagram Twitter Kate Hogan is Director of Digital Specials and Features at PEOPLE. In her 14 years at the brand, she has covered everything from pets and babies to style and Sexiest Man Alive, interviewing celebrities including Céline Dion, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Chris Evans. Currently, she oversees the creation of photo galleries that complement breaking news and major PEOPLE moments like The Beautiful Issue and 100 Reasons to Love America. She has offered expert celebrity commentary on Good Morning America and Access Hollywood. Before joining PEOPLE in 2008, Kate was an editorial assistant at Morris Visitor Publications. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication and resides outside of Chicago with her husband and three kids. People Editorial Guidelines Published on September 23, 2014 06:00 PM Share Tweet Pin Email 01 of 08 SOUND OFF 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. 02 of 08 FAN-DEMONIUM Katie Kauss for PEOPLE.com 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." 03 of 08 UNDER COVER Katie Kauss for PEOPLE.com 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." 04 of 08 SELFIE AWARENESS Katie Kauss for PEOPLE.com 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." 05 of 08 PITCH PERFECT Katie Kauss for PEOPLE.com 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." 06 of 08 DOGGONE IT! Katie Kauss for PEOPLE.com Chesney makes a new friend during his time at 30 Rock – the Rock Center security dog! 07 of 08 TIME TO SHINE Katie Kauss for PEOPLE.com The fan favorite gets the crowd going as the cameras roll at 8:30 a.m. 08 of 08 THAT'S A WRAP! 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."