"That Was Very Intentional": Kenny Chesney Says 'Shot Glass' Was Meant To End His New Album

In a recent interview with 'Talk Shop Live,' Kenny Chesney says that his new song 'Shot Glass,' off of his 2026 album Silver Sands Marina had a very specific reason behind its last-track placement.

'Shot Glass' was originally written by country songwriter Tony Lane, and Chesney's close and personal friend, the late singer-songwriter Brett James. According to Chesney, James' publisher had sent the song to the 'American Kids' crooner shortly after Chesney had decided on what he wanted the end of the album to sound like, even though he wasn't sure how to capture it just yet.

The 21st studio album Silver Sands Marina in its entirety, feels like a pull at various memories the country star has. A collection of moments from a life well-lived, and experience earned. So, of course, 'Shot Glass' and the sentiment behind it seems like a perfect way to cap off the record as a whole.

In the 11th track of the record, Chesney takes a nostalgia trip. As our protagonist reminisces on all of his "hopes, dreams, plans and schemes," he wonders about the spirit of toasting to his most meaningful memories, and how every memory he's ever lived can fit into one bittersweet, bottoms-up moment.

"To sing that song, you have to have lived a little bit, you have to have a little bit of perspective," Chesney tells Talk Shop Live. "When I heard shot glass, I thought about all the subsequent songs on the record, I thought about how all those emotions fit into that shot glass, that's the very last line of the album."

Kenny Chesney and the late country music icon Brett James were long-time friends, the pair co-writing multiple Chesney hits such as 'When The Sun Goes Down' and 'Out Last Night.'

James passed away a little over a year ago in Sept. 2025. To his core, he was a true country musician who possessed a natural zest and love for life, much like Chesney. With the release of 'Shot Glass,' it feels like Chesney found the most meaningful and sentimental way possible to honor a friend he shared countless memories with.

"I think about my friend Brett, and his life and all the journeys we went on. You know, all the sunsets and boat trips and songs written during that period. How did all of that fit into a shot glass?" Chesney reflects.

Relating to his listeners, the 'I Go Back' crooner speaks on the outreach that the song has to his fans, commenting on the universal experience everyone listening can have when thinking about their own memories that they "say cheers to."

"That was very intentional on that song ending the record," Chesney says, reiterating his own thought process when structuring the album.

Of course, any true fan of Chesney knows his intent with nearly every song he puts out is to tell a story of his own life and preach the value it seems the 'All The Pretty Girls' songster holds above all: to live life to the fullest, prioritizing memories and experiences every day. 'Shot Glass' and the entirety of Silver Sands Marina is yet another testament to that, with the song giving us all the tender emotions Chesney so profoundly conveyed, honoring his dear friend along the way.