Chris Young (singer)

Chris Young was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on June 12, 1985. In his youth, he attended Trinity United Methodist Church. His grandfather Richard Yates was a performer on the Louisiana Hayride.{{AllMusic |class= artist |id= mn0001379627 |tab= biography |last= Leggett |first= Steve |label= Biography for Chris Young}} Retrieved June 11, 2008.

Young showed interest in music from an early age, performing in various children's theater productions. While attending Oakland High School, he sang in its choir and began playing in local clubs. In 2000, he performed with his high school's Winter Drumline in a performance, "A Night at the Palladium", where he was a mariachi singer. The group performed in the Winter Guard International Tournament in Ohio that year. In 2003, Young was a national YoungArts winner and Presidential Scholar of the Arts as part of the Presidential Scholars Program.

While attending college, he continued to tour, performing more than 150 shows a year.

In 2006, Chris Young was the house singer for Cowboys Dance Hall in Arlington, Texas. Park Scott and Keith Swan told him that he should audition for Nashville Star in Houston, Texas. He entered the show and won in 2006. His win earned him a contract with RCA Records Nashville and late that year, he released his debut single "Drinkin' Me Lonely". That song peaked at number 42 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and served as the first single from his self-titled debut album, which was produced by Buddy Cannon. The album's second single, "You're Gonna Love Me", peaked at number 48.

In May 2008, Young released his third single, "Voices". At the CMA Music Festival in June, he promoted the single by emailing it to visitors at his Music Fest booth.{{cite web |url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=1809 |title=Chris Young reaches fans with "Voices" |access-date=June 28, 2008 |date=June 13, 2008 |work=Country Standard Time}} In August, "Voices" became his first Top 40 entry on the Billboard charts, peaking at 37.

His second album, The Man I Want to Be, was released in September 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1614996/nashville-stars-chris-young-releasing-new-album-on-sept-1.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712025550/http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1614996/nashville-stars-chris-young-releasing-new-album-on-sept-1.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2009|title=Nashville Star's Chris Young Releasing New Album on Sept. 1|date=June 30, 2009|work=CMT|access-date=August 8, 2009}} It was produced by James Stroud and includes cover versions of Waylon Jennings' "Rose in Paradise" (as a duet with Willie Nelson) and Tony Joe White's "Rainy Night in Georgia". In October 2009, Young's fourth chart single, "Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)", became his first number 1 single. The album's title track{{cite web|url=http://theboot.com/chris-young-the-man-i-want-to-be-lyrics/ |title=Story Behind the Song: Chris Young, 'The Man I Want to Be' |website=Theboot.com |date=July 15, 2015 |access-date=April 23, 2020}} was released in November 2009.{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Donna|title=Chris Young Is the No. 1 'Man' Again|url=http://www.theboot.com/2010/05/11/chris-young-the-man-i-want-to-be-chart/|date=May 11, 2010|work=The Boot}} Both it and a re-release of "Voices" went to number 1.

He was nominated for the 2010 Academy of Country Music Top New Solo Vocalist, alongside Luke Bryan and Jamey Johnson. He presented at the 44th Annual Country Music Awards on November 10, 2010.{{cite web|url= http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/44th-annual-cma-awards/307881|title= Country Music Awards|date=November 4, 2010|publisher=TVGuide.com }} He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Gettin' You Home".

File:Mandalay Bay Beach Concert.png

Young released the single "Tomorrow" in February 2011. It became his fourth straight number 1. The album Neon was released in July 2011. The album includes his fifth consecutive number 1, "You", the title track, and "I Can Take It from There". In August 2012, "Tomorrow" became his first platinum selling single.

In 2013, Young served as an Ambassador for the CMA Songwriter's Series showcased in Belfast, Dublin, London, and Paris in an attempt to showcase country music overseas.[http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/03/26/can-country-music-blossom-overseas/] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130620211059/http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/03/26/can-country-music-blossom-overseas/|date=June 20, 2013}}

The first single from Young's fourth studio album, "Aw Naw", was released to country radio on May 13, 2013. It peaked at number 3 on the Country Airplay chart in November 2013. The album, A.M., was released on September 17, 2013.{{cite news|last=Dukes|first=Billy|title=Chris Young Creatively Reveals Name, Release Date of 2013 New Album|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/chris-young-2013-album-release-date/|access-date=June 5, 2013|newspaper=Taste of Country|date=June 4, 2013}} The album's second single, "Who I Am with You", was released on January 20, 2014. It peaked at number 2 on the Country Airplay chart in August 2014. The album's third single, "Lonely Eyes", was released to country radio on August 25, 2014. It reached number 2 on the Country Airplay chart in April 2015.

On May 12, 2015, Young released a new single titled "I'm Comin' Over". It was the lead single from his fifth studio album of the same name, which was released on November 13, 2015.{{cite web | url=http://tasteofcountry.com/chris-young-im-comin-over-album-release-date/ | title=Chris Young Announces Release Date for New Album 'I'm Comin' Over' | publisher=Taste of Country | date=September 1, 2015 | access-date=September 5, 2015}} The same month, "I'm Comin' Over" became his sixth Number One single on the Country charts, and his first since "You" in February 2012. Young played the 14-show I'm Comin' Over Tour in late 2016 in support of the album.{{cite web | url=http://tasteofcountry.com/chris-young-im-comic-over-tour-dates-2015/ | title=Chris Young Reveals Another Surprise: The I'm Comin' Over Tour | publisher=Taste of Country | date=August 11, 2015 | access-date=September 5, 2015}} The album's second single, "Think of You" with Cassadee Pope, was released on January 4, 2016. It reached number one on the Country charts in May 2016. The third single, "Sober Saturday Night"—a duet with Vince Gill—was released on June 6, 2016. It hit number one on the Country Airplay in March 2017. Young released a country Christmas album, It Must Be Christmas, in October 2016.

His sixth album's first single, "Losing Sleep" was released to country radio on May 12, 2017. Young announced the album was also titled Losing Sleep on August 23, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://radio.com/2017/08/23/chris-young-album-losing-sleep/|title=Chris Young Announces New Album 'Losing Sleep'|work=Radio.com|access-date=August 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824013825/http://radio.com/2017/08/23/chris-young-album-losing-sleep/|archive-date=August 24, 2017|url-status=dead}} It reached number one on the Country Airplay on February 10, 2018. The album's second single was "Hangin' On".

On August 29, 2017, Young was invited by country legend Vince Gill to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was officially inducted by Brad Paisley.

Young released "Raised on Country," the lead-off single to his seventh studio album, in January 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/chris-young-new-song-raised-on-country-774911/|title=Hear Chris Young Name-Check Merle, Willie in New Song 'Raised on Country'|publisher=Rolling Stone|date=January 4, 2019|access-date=February 13, 2019}} The album's second single, "Drowning," was released on September 23, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/drowning/1466994622?i=1466994808|title=Drowning by Chris Young|website=Apple Music|access-date=June 15, 2019}} "Famous Friends," featuring Young's friend Kane Brown, was released on November 20, 2020, as the album's third single.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/chris-young-kane-brown-famous-friends-1092884/|title=Chris Young, Kane Brown Celebrate Their Roots in New Song 'Famous Friends'|publisher=Rolling Stone|last=Freeman|first=Joe|date=November 20, 2020|access-date=May 29, 2021}} The album, also titled Famous Friends, was released on August 6, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/country/chris-young-announces-new-album-famous-friends-dropping-august/|title=Chris Young Announces New Album Famous Friends Set to Drop in August: 'I'm Really Excited'|author=Brianne Tracy|date=June 9, 2021|publisher=People|access-date=June 9, 2021}}

"At the End of a Bar", featuring Mitchell Tenpenny, was released on September 13, 2021, as the album's fourth single.{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/country/future-releases|title=Future Releases for Country Radio Stations|publisher=All Access|access-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826083218/https://www.allaccess.com/country/future-releases|archive-date=August 26, 2021}}

In 2023, Young released the singles "Looking for You" and "Young Love & Saturday Nights". His ninth album Young Love & Saturday Nights was released on March 22, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/chris-young-young-love-saturday-nights-album-details|title=Chris Young Announces His Largest Album Yet|author=Jess|publisher=Taste of Country|date=January 8, 2024|access-date=February 16, 2024}}

In December 2024, it was announced that Young had signed with Black River Entertainment after leaving his longtime record label RCA Nashville.{{cite web|url=https://musicrow.com/2024/12/breaking-chris-young-signs-with-black-river-entertainment/|title=BREAKING: Chris Young Signs With Black River Entertainment|author=LB Cantrell|date=December 4, 2024|website=Music Row|access-date=December 4, 2024}} He released his first single under the label, "Til the Last One Dies", in April 2025.{{cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/why-chris-young-changed-record-labels-interview/|title=Chris Young Explains Why He Left One Record Label for Another|author=Evan Paul|date=April 4, 2025|website=Taste of Country|access-date=April 9, 2025}}

On August 13, 2013, Young was en route to a tour date in Montana when he went into septic shock from a small cut on his leg which became infected. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Denver.{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/chris-young-leg-infection/ |title=Scary Details of Chris Young's Leg Infection Revealed |website=Tasteofcountry.com |date=August 21, 2013 |access-date=January 2, 2016}} The medical team immediately started Young on medication, and he had surgery on August 14 to treat the infection. Young returned home under his physician's care. As expected, his mobility was impacted by the surgery and his doctor requested he wait a full week post-surgery to resume touring. Young resumed on August 22.

In June 2014, Young cancelled a performance at the CMA Music Festival after accidentally cutting his left hand with a kitchen knife. The cut required surgery to reconnect tendons in the hand.{{cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/06/09/chris-young-hand/10259835/ |title=Chris Young's condition improves |website=Tennessean.com |date=June 9, 2014 |access-date=January 2, 2016}}

In January 2024, he was wrongfully arrested by a TABC agent after an altercation in a bar. The charges were then dropped. {{cite web | url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/chris-young-charges-dismissed-days-arrest-reports | title=Chris Young charges dismissed days after country star's arrest at Nashville bar | website=Fox News | date=January 26, 2024 }}

Young has supported Little Kids Rock by donating various items to the organization for auction, raising money to put instruments in the hands of children.{{cite web |url=http://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/our-big-fans/chris-young/ |title=Chris Young |publisher=Little Kids Rock |access-date=January 2, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115171710/http://www.littlekidsrock.org/friends/our-big-fans/chris-young/ |archive-date=January 15, 2016}}

He has been a major supporter for Stars For Stripes raising $35,000 for the organization.{{cite web |url=http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2013/10/10/chris-young-raises-35000-for-stars |title=Country Décor, American Travel, Southern Food Recipes, Rustic Weddings | GAC |website=Blog.gactv.com |date=May 15, 2015 |access-date=January 2, 2016 |archive-date=January 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140127200338/http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2013/10/10/chris-young-raises-35000-for-stars |url-status=dead }} He supports St. Jude Children's Hospital,{{cite web |url=http://www.khey.com/pages/stjude.html |title=February 21st & 22nd | 96.3 KHEY Country |website=Khey.com |access-date=January 2, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202100120/http://www.khey.com/pages/stjude.html |archive-date=February 2, 2014}} and has raised money for it by sponsoring a tree at the Gaylord Opryland Resort's Annual Hall of Trees.{{cite web|url=http://countrymusicpride.com/chris-young-supports-st-jude-childrens-research-hospital-by-sponsoring-a-neon-holiday-tree-as-part-of-gaylord-opryland-resorts-fifth-annual-hall-of-trees/ |title=Chris Young Supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by Sponsoring a "NEON Holiday Tree" as Part of Gaylord Opryland® Resort's Fifth Annual Hall of Trees |date=December 12, 2011 |publisher=Country Music Pride|access-date=January 2, 2016}} On September 8, 2014, Young donated $25,000 of his own money, along with $5,000 from his fan club, to the Nashville School of Arts.[http://chrisyoungcountry.com/news/224433] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006103631/http://chrisyoungcountry.com/news/224433|date=October 6, 2014}} In late August 2017 he created a fundraising site for Houston to help with the massive flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gofundme.com/HarveyRelief |title=Fundraiser by Chris Young : Hurricane Harvey Relief |access-date=August 28, 2017|archive-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828231954/https://www.gofundme.com/HarveyRelief |url-status=dead }}

On October 4, 2018, Young donated $5000 to a GoFundMe page to help pay for cataract surgery for a dog named Granola. He donated the money after a fan reached out to him on Twitter asking him for help marketing the GoFundMe project.{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/ChrisYoungMusic/status/1047967042958249984|title=ChrisYoungMusic on Twitter|website=Twitter.com|access-date=October 31, 2018|language=en}}

{{main|Chris Young discography}}

Studio albums

• Chris Young (2006)
• The Man I Want to Be (2009)
• Neon (2011)
• A.M. (2013)
• I'm Comin' Over (2015)
• It Must Be Christmas (2016)
• Losing Sleep (2017)
• Famous Friends (2021)
• Young Love & Saturday Nights (2024)

• Barmageddon{{cite web |title=Barmageddon: Season 1, Episode 8 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/barmageddon_2022/s01/e08 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=24 January 2023 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Barmageddon - USANetwork.com |url=https://www.usanetwork.com/barmageddon |website=USA Network |access-date=January 24, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Makhija |first1=Sukriti |date=23 January 2023 |title=Barmageddon season 1 finale, release date, time and celebrity contestants |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/barmageddon-season-1-finale-release-date-time-celebrity-contestants |access-date=24 January 2023 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en}}

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Category:1985 births

Category:21st-century American male singers

Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters

Category:American country singer-songwriters

Category:American male singer-songwriters

Category:Grand Ole Opry members

Category:Living people

Category:Nashville Star contestants

Category:Nashville Star winners

Category:People from Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Category:RCA Records Nashville artists