Kenny Says Willie Both Poet and Pirate

10/4/2007 Stephen L. Betts Kenny Chesney says Willie Nelson was an influential figure for his latest album, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates. Kenny was looking for both professional and personal inspiration, and it came to him as he was co-producing Willie’s upcoming album with Buddy Cannon. Kenny says he tried to soak up everything he could learn from Willie, while at the same time giving him direction for the album they were working on. Kenny says Willie is “very carefree,” adding that he's “the epitome of a poet and pirate.”