Chesney gets a bargain

After weeks of under-the-radar-preparation, when Chesney took the stage, a bus with a special guest pulled into the backstage parking area. So, halfway into the show, just before an acoustic part of the set, friend George Jones walked on stage. As the crowd cheered, Chesney was unaware that Jones was walking towards him. And just as he turned around, Jones met him mid-stage to a completely shocked Chesney.

As the band breaks into I Don't Need Your Rocking Chair, Chesney realized that everyone was already in on the surprise. After the song, Chesney asked Jones to stay and sing the He Stopped Loving Her Today.

Chesney said, "There's nothing like sharing the stage with your heroes and when George walked on stage in Lexington it was one of the biggest thrills of my life. He means so much to so many and it meant the world to me that he came to the show."

Chesney and Jones have been friends for years and Chesney's current album, "Hemingway's Whiskey," features the two on the Bobby Braddock song, Small Y'all, a song that Chesney has loved for years. Chesney said, "George recorded this song first, and I've had his version in my car for years. It puts me in a good mood instantly. When we decided to record it for the album, it was a no-brainer to call George and ask him to be apart of it, and when he comes in on the song, it's just, it's so special, cause I love the guy. He's been a part of my life for a while, and he's obviously a hero and somebody who inspires me and somebody who means a lot to the world of music."