I don't know whose manager let elitism and extreme celebrity thrive, but if you ask me, it's among the worst things in music and actually, entertainment as a whole. Sure, idolization of an image is generally helpful in marketing, but it's the moment when the person behind the image embraces celebrity. That's where I get really, really lost. Musicians who have been fortunate enough to reach the peak of multimedia Everest owe that ascent, almost entirely, to the people who were and are willing to devote their lives to a sound, an image and a belief - be it manager, crew member, promoter, or fan.

And no one I've met in this elevated category (yet) understands this more than Mr. Kenny Chesney, the anti-celebrity. His status is impressive, which makes his humility not only astounding, but as it should be.

As I work for more and more of these tours, the selection of crew members and how said star treats the crew is quite indicative of the vibe and purpose of that artist's music. My hypothesis is still being tested, but something tells me it's fairly accurate as stands.

However, let's not forget that he still is an entertainer with a stage image and to some degree, must play it up. I mean, if you scroll down, you might mistake Petty for Jesus dressed in a purple velvet blazer with an electric guitar, but I assure you, it actually is Tom Petty and probably only stage Tom Petty.

In the music world, artists like Kenny sometimes get snubbed for cliche chords and generic lyrics, and ok, no, this music isn't critically revolutionary, but is creating universally identifiable music something to be frowned upon? Ok, don't answer that, but if that's what you think, I suggest you go to the nearest Kinko's and for $24.95 "buy happiness" in a ridiculous book titled: Happy for No Reason. Quite a bargain if you ask me. Oh, and don't be ashamed, I buy my happiness in various wheels of cheese.

My actual point being is that I would bet my entire album collection that Kenny is more level-headed than most "stars" out there. I know I always talk about the fans, but Kenny's fans truly love Kenny and Kenny truly loves his fans.

Once again, this is where I get confused about the elitists. Why don't they understand that the connection to the fans, in the end, IS the only thing that truly matters? Yeah, everyone backing these artists is important too, but are they the ones buying tickets, merch and the experience? No, they are the ones creating it... for the fans... for these artists to be able to continue.

How do you think the Dixie Chicks, after their highly publicized, derogatory comment about President Bush, after being banned from country airwaves, took their newest album, "Taking the Long Way," to the top of the charts without the assistance of radio? And look at the demographic they play to!

I don't give a crap what any of you think you know about music or what you think about country, but if you don't respect that kind of artist/fan relationship, you might as well never listen to another record ever again... because you are part of that relationship.

Kenny Chesney is not Radiohead. Kenny Chesney is not the Rolling Stones. Kenny Chesney is not the Dixie Chicks. Kenny Chesney is Kenny Chesney and what he's doing is brilliant on many different levels. If I were to delve into the other business aspects of this dude, we'd be here all day and night for the next week, but right now I'm just talking about his notion that he is no better a person than anyone in his audience or anyone on his crew. I would have to totally disagree with him, but that's only because it takes a hell of a lot of guts and dedication to make it as far as he has and I just don't believe that most people have that in them. But I guess that's just my own quirky idolization of Kenny Chesney.

Despite that though, and almost to my surprise, Kenny and I get along wonderfully.

(Photo: back of KC crew shirt... which I tried to make look like a waving pirate flag... with um, very little success.)