Originally created 11/29/05

Chesney cheers for Lady Vols at basketball game



CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands - The two homes of country music star Kenny Chesney mingled a little as the Tennessee native watched the Lady Vols play in his adopted Caribbean.

Chesney joked with Tennessee radio announcers courtside as No. 2 Tennessee defeated No. 10 Maryland 80-75 at the Paradise Jam tournament Saturday night in St. Thomas.

The 37-year-old singer owns a home in St. John, an island about a mile from St. Thomas.

"I grew up in Knoxville, so I know everybody," said Chesney as he sat at the press table. His attire included sandals and an Atlanta Braves baseball hat.

"It's really fun for me. It's part of home. I've known (Tennessee coach) Pat Summitt for a long time," he said.

Summitt was cheered on by some 250 other Tennessee fans who flew to the Caribbean for the basketball game.

Chesney, who has a new album, "The Road and the Radio," hid his face in embarrassment when a fan brought a tray of soda and beer to the press table.

He slipped into the crowd shortly afterward.

Chesney and Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger shocked fans by marrying in a small beach ceremony in St. John on May 9 after first meeting in January.

Zellweger, 36, filed for an annulment in September.

On the Net:

http://www.kennychesney.com/r-and-r/index.php