Chesney starts upcoming book tour in east Tennessee, Boston

"Heart Life Music," Chesney's book with Holly Gleason, comes out Nov. 4 on William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Chesney will appear at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tenn. at the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts on Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. He heads to Boston for an appearance at the Back Bay Events Center in Boston on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

"Having looked at my life in ways I never thought of," said Chesney, "I realized I've always loved sports, music and the sea. But the idea I'd chase this dream came together in Johnson City, trying to learn Doc Watson picking from Jack Tottle, playing Quarterbacks and Chuckey's, and going to Russia with East Tennessee State University's Bluegrass Band."

"For me, going back to East Tennessee State University where all of this began was the only way to kick this book tour off. Hopefully, someone in the audience who's wondering about their own dream might find what they need to get serious about whatever it is they're chasing."

Chesney has a long history in Boston as well, having played to more than 1 million fans there by 2018.

"Whether the friends I made in the islands long before this journey kicked into gear, Ginny Brophy who welcomed a kid with nothing going on at WKLB, the crazy fun with Grace Potter, sailing and more with Ethel Kennedy around the Nantucket Sound, conversations with the Globe's Steve Morse or Super Bowls with Robert Kraft and his organization, there's been something about the people of New England that recognizes the kid from East Tennessee in me. I like to say, 'They believe me,' but I think it's more they know the same grit and passion that's driven me and my team all these years."

"I know these are intimate events," Chesney said. "But I want everyone to really be able to hear, absorb and feel like we've come together before they dive into the book. There's a lot there, and a lot that went into it, and I want to have very real conversations about all of it to give people a real sense of the role where they live has played in my journey and the man I wanted to be and – hopefully – became."

Ticket prices are $59.50-$79.50 plus tax at East Tennessee and $65 in Boston.

Chesney will be joined by Gleason for conversations. Gleason, who has enjoyed a long, award-winning career in journalism and music, also has been a longstanding collaborator with Chesney. Gleason edited Belmont Book Award-winning "Woman Walk The Line" and co-authored Miranda Lambert's New York Times best-seller "Y'all Eat Yet" as well as "Prine on Prine: Interviews & Encounters."