Recreate Myrtle Beach Moments that Inspired the “No Shoes Nation” Leader
Country music icon Kenny Chesney has long made the sand, surf and laid-back vibe of the beach core to his brand. With the recent release of his first book, “Heart Life Music,” he reveals how one of the key influences on his artistic soul was the coastal atmosphere of the Grand Strand, writing that Myrtle Beach was his “happy place.”
Chesney and longtime friend and author Holly Gleason chronicle in the book his rise from small-town East Tennessee dreamer to stadium-filling performer, selling millions of albums, recording dozens of No. 1 hits, and building a career spanning decades. “Heart Life Music” also explores the life experiences, including his love of the beach and ocean, that shaped him.
He explains in the book that a day at the ocean left you tired but at “peace with the world” and “seemed like the way to live.” While recanting his first trip to Myrtle Beach, he shares the excitement he felt seeing what was beyond the Smoky Mountains, experiencing the ocean’s waves, the boardwalk and even eating his first hush puppy
Much of Chesney’s country music carries a beach-inspired vibe, fitting for the artist behind the chart-topping hit “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.” His 2005 music video for “Anything But Mine” was even filmed, in part, along the shores of Myrtle Beach. The latter song, he notes in the book, was inspired by Myrtle Beach and the bittersweet nostalgia of a summer trip to the beach coming to a close.
Chesney says he found inspiration in those childhood memories throughout his career, creating a signature style that blends country roots with coastal escapism, often incorporating steel drums, tropical imagery and lyrics about slowing down and savoring life. His brand resonates with fans across the globe, known as the “No Shoes Nation,” who long for sun-soaked freedom.
For Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, this personal endorsement by one of country music’s biggest stars carries special meaning.
“Country music icon Kenny Chesney’s acknowledgment of Myrtle Beach as formative in his connection to beach culture underscores the unique place the Grand Strand holds for so many of us,” said Denielle Van Dyke, Public Relations Manager, Visit Myrtle Beach. “We’re proud to see our coastline reflected in the personal narrative of an artist whose music has resonated across generations and we see this as another dimension in telling the story of The Beach.”
To re-create an experience inspired by Kenny Chesney’s beloved childhood memories, Visit Myrtle Beach recommends these “No Shoes Nation” opportunities:
- See the ocean the way Kenny did the first time: Grab coffee from Beach Hippie Coffee and catch the sunrise at a nearby pier for that wide-open, “world just got bigger” feeling.
- Eat your first hushpuppy: Follow Kenny’s “Something Fried” memory and try hushpuppies at Sea Captain’s House or Captain George’s Seafood Buffet.
- Take a golden-hour lap on the Boardwalk: Neon lights, salty breeze, playlists in your ears. Walk the same Boardwalk stretch where parts of the music video “Anything But Mine” were filmed. Play the song for full effect.
- Spend all day in the water: Float, surf or splash on the beach until you get that peaceful, sun-soaked glow Kenny writes about.
- Catch live music along the Grand Strand: Myrtle Beach music history lives at The Bowery, and with more than 25,000 live performances a year, The Beach is the live music capital of South Carolina, offering everything from intimate acoustic sets to high-energy concerts.
- Read “Heart Life Music” on the beach: Grab a copy of the book, find a quiet spot at Myrtle Beach State Park, and let the chapters mix with real waves.
- Play nostalgic carnival games at an arcade: Head to Fun Plaza Arcade along Ocean Boulevard for old school games.
Explore VisitMyrtleBeach.com to find more ideas on how Myrtle Beach can inspire you.
