There was a time, not too long ago, when no self-respecting musician would have used the term “Sun City” in the title of their summer tour.

Sun City is the name of a resort in South Africa.  During the reign of the country’s apartheid government (legalized racial segregation), Sun City, and the surrounding area, was labeled a “homeland” and given nominal self-rule.  In truth, it was nothing more than a South African client state, and all the nations of the world recognized the farce.

Even so, many top name artists, such as Elton John, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Queen, Black Sabbath and Rod Stewart played at the resort (which was sort of an African Las Vegas).  Opponents viewed playing Sun City as supporting apartheid.

In the mid-1980’s, E Street Band member, and future Sopranos star, Steven Van Zandt lead a group of musicians known as Artists United Against Apartheid.  This diverse group produced a song called “Sun City” in which they professed their intentions to avoid performing at the resort.

Despite being a far superior song, “Sun City” failed to achieve even half the success of its cousin, “We Are The World.”  However, it did raise a lot of money for people in need and unlike the ill “We Are The World” was trying to eliminate, apartheid no longer exists in South Africa.

“Sun City” was released in 1985, apartheid ended in 1994 and now in 2009, country music superstar Kenny Chesney is currently in the midst of his “Sun City Carnival Tour.”

Certainly time heals all wounds and many of those buying Kenny Chesney tickets aren’t old enough (or sober enough) to remember the Sun City controversy or even apartheid.  Nor is this the first time a musician has re-appropriated a phrase with such negative connotations.

In 1988, U2 took back “Helter Skelter.” Bono proclaimed on the opening track of Rattle and Hum, “this song Charles Manson stole from The Beatles...we're stealing it back."

We must digress.  Mentioning such somber and depressing subjects in conjecture with the “hillbilly rock star” is a great disservice.  Kenny Chesney’s Sun City Carnival Tour is the exact opposite of strife and suffering.  It’s the absolute best party of the summer.

Four times Chesney has won the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year Award.  He’s not only the best country music performer, he’s one of the best performers in all of music. 

Whether Chesney is playing Nashville or Bristow, whether he’s performing in a small venue like the Clark County Amphitheater in Ridgefield, Washington or a giant stadium like Heinz Field in Pittsburgh his concerts are always the must-attend event of the year. 

He puts so much energy into his shows that his audience gets tired just by watching.  Chesney is known to sweat from the first note to the closing chord—probably explains why he’s frequently sleeve-less.  He seldom stops for small talk or idle chatter, instead he devotes all of his stage time to blowing the roof off the place.

While bringing this ebullient presence to the stage, he also has the luxury of choosing from a catalog of material that features 16 number ones songs and more than 30 top ten hits.  

If you’re at a concert in Fargo or Seattle expect to hear Chesney classics like “Young,” "Big Star," "I Go Back," and Out Last Night."  He kicks off his epic show with a rousing rendition of "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy."

Accompanying Chesney on his Sun City Carnival Tour are Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum.  Sugarland appears for the all-day stadium concerts as does Montgomery Gentry, however they will miss four dates. 

The traveling party also makes stops in Atlanta, Foxboro and Chicago.  The tour ends September 19th in Indianapolis. 

The party like atmosphere found on his tour and the dedication he puts into his performances, is why fans have made Chesney one of the highest grossing acts in country music.  It also helps that while attending one of his shows, whether it’s in Raleigh, Jacksonville or Philadelphia, you have so much fun you forget all about the troubles of the world.

If anyone can add a positive connotation to the term “Sun City,” it’s Chesney.