Kenny Chesney reveals emotional connection to Sandy Hook tragedy

The tragedy at Sandy Hook took place more than a decade ago, but wounds like that never heal, and a connection to the horrific shooting and country music legend Kenny Chesney was revealed this week.

And, at least on Chesney’s part, it is a heartwarming connection and a story of how he reached out to one family who lost their young daughter in the mass shooting back in 2012. The story was shared this week when Chesney appeared on Anderson Cooper’s “All There Is” podcast.

Cooper remembered back to the terrible event, and an interview that he did with the family of young Grace McDonnell, who was killed that day.

“Before that interview, I was in their kitchen and I was talking to them, and this was days after their daughter was killed, and there was a photo of you on the refrigerator,” Cooper told Chesney.

“I said to Lynn (Grace’s mother), ‘Oh, do you like Kenny Chesney?’” Cooper continued. “Her whole face lit up, and she was just like, ‘Ya know, Grace loved Kenny Chesney, and in fact the morning she was killed we were waiting for the bus and we were singing a Kenny Chesney song.”

Cooper said he texted Chesney and said, “Hey, I just wanted you to know that you touched this family’s life.

“You texted me right back and said you wanted to reach out to Lynn,” Cooper said. “You called Lynn and spoke for a long time.”

Chesney said that after that call he became “really good friends” with the family.

“I can’t tell you how many shows her and Chris have come to over the years,” Chesney said. “They actually brought me a piece of art that Grace had painted and gave it to me.”

Chesney said he framed it and kept it on his tour bus for years.

“You know what’s crazy?” Chesney added. “I’m a very spiritual person, and I believe in people pushing people together.