Chesney Announces Tour

Kenny Chesney is returning to the road with a vengeance.

Country music’s top touring draw of the decade announced Thursday he’ll co-headline nine stadium dates next year with the Zac Brown Band, pairing two top road acts.

Chesney had sold more than a million tickets a year for eight consecutive years before taking 2010 off. He filled up his time by making two movies and completing his new album, “Hemingway’s Whiskey,” which debuted at No. 1 in September.

The singer admitted to feeling the lure of the road while away, but the four-time winner of entertainer of the year from both The Country Music Association and The Academy of Country Music thinks the time off will improve the show his fans see next spring and summer.