Nashvilles Star, Chris Young Is Shining Bright

By Stephen Gibbons • September 2, 2009

chris young

In 2006, Chris was a contestant on the show Nashville Star, which he won and was signed to a record deal with RCA Records Nashville, releasing his Self Titled debut album that year. It produced two chart singles on the Hot Country Songs charts for him in “Drinkin’ Me Lonely” and “You’re Gonna Love Me“. A second album “The Man I Want to Be, has just been released with his new single “Gettin’ You Home” debuting at #60 and has climbed to #9 after only two weeks on the charts.

Born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on June 12, 1985. His grandfather, Richard Yates, was a performer on the Louisiana Hayride. From a young age, Young showed interest in music while performing in various children’s theater productions, and by his high school years, he began playing in local clubs, even self-releasing two independent albums.

While attending college, Young continued to tour, performing more than 150 shows a year. At a gig in Arlington, Texas, he was encouraged by a fan to try out for Nashville Star, a television talent show. After auditioning he entered the show, and was declared the winner in 2006. His win also earned him a contract with RCA Records Nashville, and later that year, he released his debut single, “Drinkin’ Me Lonely“. This song, which peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, served as the first single to his self-titled debut album, which was produced by Buddy Cannon. The album’s second single, “You’re Gonna Love Me“, peaked at #48.

In May 2008, Young released his third single, entitled “Voices“. At the Country Music Association Music Fest in June of that year, he promoted the single by e-mailing it to visitors at his Music Fest booth. On the chart week of August 16, 2008, “Voices” became Young’s first Top 40 country hit on the Billboard charts. Following it is his fourth chart single, “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)“, which marks his first Top 15 entry. His second album, “The Man I Want to Be“, was released September 1st. The album is produced by James Stroud. It will include cover versions of Waylon Jennings‘ Rose In Paradise (Duet With Willie Nelson), as well as a cover of Tony Joe White’s “Rainy Night In Georgia” which Chris does a tremendous job on.