It was in early 1991 when this striking 19 year old, not only won the lead role in the film “BUDDY’S SONG” (also starring Roger Daltrey from The Who) and signed to sing the soundtrack but suddenly found himself one of the first teenagers in pop history ever to bag the Number One spot with a debut release. “THE ONE AND ONLY” stayed at the top for a staggering five weeks going on to become one of the undisputed global teen anthems of 1991 as it crashed Top 10’s world – wide, including the notoriously difficult markets of Japan and America. Encouraged by the equally dramatic success of the “BUDDY’S SONG” soundtrack album, CHESNEY HAWKES and his band (featuring his brother Jodie on drums) rounded off 1991 with a sell-out tour, playing everything from small clubs to 3,000 seaters the length and breadth of Europe. Those who’d predicted that CHESNEY HAWKES would never manage it were the only ones who wound up disappointed as both fans and critics alike voted CHESNEY’s live show a spectacular success, with special honours going to the now legendary last night show at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. This triumphant concert was to signify the symbolic end of that particular stage of CHESNEY HAWKES’ career. CHESNEY had long out-grown the stifling confines of teen- idoldom and was eagerly looking forward to the challenge of establishing himself as a songwriter in his own right. So after gaining more valuable live experience supporting Huey Lewis in Germany and Bryan Adams in Vienna and Budapest, CHESNEY HAWKES removed himself from the glare of the public eye and spent his time in his studio writing and rehearsing for his next album. The hard work paid off and CHESNEY HAWKES’ album “GET THE PICTURE” is as spirited, diverse and uncompromising as anything delivered by self-styled street credible types in recent years. The album was released all over Europe and the Far East in 1993 and although some of CHESNEY’s teen-idol fans found this critically acclaimed album difficult to accept, it has sold steadily ever since, attracting a new and expanding audience of older fans. Since the “GET THE PICTURE” album CHESNEY HAWKES has resisted the opportunity to cash in on his fame by turning down a host of offers of pantomime, store openings etc., as well as West End roles he felt were wrong for him, keeping a low profile while he writes and demos material with a new band in preparation for an album to be released in 2000. During the latter half of 2000, and the beginning of 2001, Chesney has been recording a batch of new songs in London and in Los Angeles with producer Charlton Pettus. A number of tracks have been mixed by Neil Dorfsman who has worked with Sting, Dire Straits and Paul McCartney. A single, “Stay Away Baby Jane”, from these sessions was scheduled for release in summer 2001. The video has been filmed in LA with director Rory Rooney.
During April, Chesney has been performing at student venues (Nottingham, Leeds, Lincoln, Hull, Middlesbrough). Such has been the overwhelming response that the, initially mini, tour has now been extended to take in dates throughout May and early June. The teen audience that discovered him in 1991 has now grown up and are, now in their early twenties, thrilled to see Chesney back and performing at the height of his ability.