Chris Young (singer)

Chris Young
Young in April 2010
Background information
Birth name	Christopher Alan Young
Born	June 12, 1985 (1985-06-12)
Origin	Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Genres	Country
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Years active	2002–present
Labels	RCA Records Nashville
Associated acts	Billy Yates, Aaron Lewis
Website	Official website

Christopher Alan "Chris" Young (born June 12, 1985 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee) is an American country music artist. In 2006, he was declared the winner of the television program Nashville Star, a singing competition which aired on the USA Network. After winning, he was signed to RCA Records Nashville, releasing his self-titled debut album that year. It produced two chart singles on the Hot Country Songs charts in "Drinkin' Me Lonely" and "You're Gonna Love Me". A second album, The Man I Want to Be, was released September 1, 2009. It includes the singles "Voices", "Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)", and "The Man I Want to Be"; all three have reached Number One on the country singles chart. To date Chris has scored four straight number one hits including most recently "Tomorrow" off his Neon album.

Biography

Early years

Young was 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 while attending Oakland High School (Tennessee), he began playing in local clubs. While attending college, Young continued to tour, performing more than 150 shows a year.

2005-2007: Nashville Star and Chris Young

At a gig in Arlington, Texas, he was encouraged by Park Scott and Keith Swan to try out for Nashville Star, a television talent show on the USA Networks. After auditioning in Houston, Texas, he entered the show, and was declared the winner in 2006. His win also earned him a contract with RCA Records Nashville, and late 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.

2008-2010: The Man I Want to Be and Voices EP

In May 2008, Young released his third single, "Voices." At the CMA Music Festival 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 entry on the Billboard charts, going on to peak at #37. Following it was his fourth chart single, "Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)." His second album, The Man I Want to Be, was released on September 1. The album is produced by James Stroud. It includes cover versions of Waylon Jennings' "Rose in Paradise" (as a duet with Willie Nelson), as well as a cover of Tony Joe White's "Rainy Night in Georgia". In October 2009, "Gettin' You Home" became the first Number One single of Young's career. The album's title track was released as its second single on November 16, 2009 and, in May 2010, it became his second Number One. "Voices" was re-released in June 2010, and has since become Young's third #1 country hit.

Young was nominated for the 2010 Academy of Country Music Top New Solo Vocalist, alongside Luke Bryan and Jamey Johnson.

Chris Young appeared/presented at the 44th Annual Country Music Awards on November 10, 2010. Chris Young was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance during the 2010 Grammy nomination concert special.

2011-present: Neon

Chris Young released a new single, titled "Tomorrow," on February 28, 2011. The song serves as his fourth straight number one, from his album Neon, which was released on July 12, 2011. His current single is "You." It was announced that Chris will be performing on the Country Music Association Awards on November 9, 2011.

Awards and nominations

Year	Association	Category	Result
2007	Academy of Country Music	Top New Male Vocalist	Nominated
2010		Top New Solo Vocalist	Nominated
	CMT Music Awards	Nationwide Is On Your Side Award	Won
	Country Music Association	New Artist of the Year	Nominated
	Grammy	Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Gettin' You Home"	Nominated
	American Country Awards	Music Video of the Year for "The Man I Want to Be"	Nominated
		Male Music Video for "The Man I Want to Be"	Nominated
2011	Country Music Association	New Artist Of The Year	Nominated
	American Country Awards	Breakthrough Artist of the Year	Won
		Single of the Year for "Voices"	Won
		Single by a Male Artist for "Voices"	Nominated
2012	Academy Of Country Music Awards	Single Of The Year for "Tomorrow"	Pending
		Male Vocalist Of The Year	Pending

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions		Certifications (sales threshold)
		US Country	US
Chris Young	Release date: October 3, 2006 Label: RCA Nashville Formats: CD, music download	3	22
The Man I Want to Be	Release date: September 1, 2009 Label: RCA Nashville Formats: CD, music download	6	19	US: Gold
Neon	Release date: July 12, 2011 Label: RCA Nashville Formats: CD, music download	2	4

Extended plays

Title	Details
Voices	Release date: May 25, 2010 Label: RCA Nashville Formats: CD, music download

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions			Certifications (sales threshold)	Album
		US Country	US	CAN
2006	"Drinkin' Me Lonely"	42	—	—		Chris Young
2007	"You're Gonna Love Me"	48	—	—
2008	"Voices"	37	—	—		The Man I Want to Be
2009	"Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)"	1	33	74	US: Gold
	"The Man I Want to Be"	1	48	81
2010	"Voices" (re-release)	1	53	86
2011	"Tomorrow"	1	36	95	US: Gold	Neon
	"You"A	2	37	66
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

• ^A Current single.

Music videos

Year	Video	Director
2006	"Drinkin' Me Lonely"	Warren P. Sonada
2009	"Gettin You Home (The Black Dress Song)"	Stephen Shepherd
	"The Man I Want to Be"	Chris Hicky
2010	"Voices"	David McClister
2011	"Tomorrow"	Trey Fanjoy
	"You"	Chris Hicky

External links

• Official website