Kenny Chesney sets release date for new CD

The first single is the rapidly rising hit "Never Wanted Nothing More," which hit 17 on the chart in its first official week out.

"I don't think any of us expected this kind of response to the song," Chesney said. "In meet & greet, people are asking me when they can get the new song... when the new record's coming. You know, you make enough records, you start worrying about when people are gonna get tired of 'em, and then you get in a position like this... and you know, songs still really connect to people, really love them.

"It's everything I've always known about the writers in Nashville: it really does start with the song."

Songs on the disc were penned by Bill Anderson, Brett James, David Lee Murphy and Scooter Carusoe. In addition to bluegrass standard Ronnie Bowman and hard country writer Chris Stapleton, who contributed "Never Wanted Nothing More," Chesney enlisted Jon Randall, Don Schlitz and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts among the new voices contributing songs.

"I've been working on this record in one way or another almost since 'The Road & The Radio' came out... We've had some big tours, made some incredible videos, had some highlights, so it's been quite a journey to getting here," Chesney said. "And when a record lives with you that long, you start to forget it's coming out."

"I'm incredibly ready to share this music with people," he said. "And the things people are saying to me, make me know they're incredibly ready to hear it, too. But given everything to it, we're not in a complete tumble to get all the loose ends tied up so we can get it out. So get ready, 'Just Who I Am' will be out in just over seven weeks."

Heading into Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field this weekend, Chesney continues his tour. He will play four other NFL stadiums.