Q&A with Tech's Anderson

By Doug Roberson

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

He's known for his ubiquitous cowboy hat and songs about partying, friendship and, yes, sexy tractors.

And Kenny Chesney, whose song "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" peaked at No. 11 on the country music charts in 1999, is one of Georgia Tech defensive tackle Ben Anderson's favorite singers.

For good reason, Chesney has had 11 gold albums and 30 top 10 singles during the past 17 years.

Anderson and the No. 11 Yellow Jackets will be in Nashville, the home of country music and where Chesney was discovered in 1992, this weekend to take on Vanderbilt at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Anderson, who has eight tackles this season, said he may not be able to make it to the Grand Ole Opry, but he would love to switch places with Chesney for a day.

Q: Why Kenny Chesney?

A: I've always liked his music and his videos. He's always on an island somewhere partying, or on a boat somewhere partying with his friends. He's just a country guy. Just his lifestyle, from what I've seen on the videos, is something I want to do.

Q: Do you enjoy country music, or just Kenny Chesney?

A: I like country music. I like all types of music really, but I do like country music.

Q: So when are you going to put together a country video for the scoreboard, like [Anthony] Allen's and [Dominique] Reese's [featuring the rap song "All the Way Turnt Up"]?

A: I'll get the GTGs to turn it around a little bit. Maybe do something like that. [The GTGs are two former Tech students who have written and produced two rap songs that are shown during games at Bobby Dodd Stadium.]

Q: Talk about the improvement of the defense in the past two games.

A: We've been doing well with that. Simplifying everything's been helping everybody. Guys aren't running all over the place trying to figure out what they're trying to do. So, we can just play the game.

Q: Can you feel your confidence growing as a group? Or have you always been confident and perhaps the results haven't been as good as you've hoped?

A: We've always been pretty confident. We've been doing good these past few weeks, so our confidence level's up.

Q: So, what's your favorite Kenny Chesney song?

A: I don't know. I've got a bunch. Shoot, I'd probably say "We Went Out Last Night."

Q: What do you like about that?

A: Just about him going out with buddies and having a good time.

Q: Is that the kind of life you'd like to lead?

A: Yep, just enjoying life and having fun.

Q: You enjoying it now?

A: Yes, definitely.