Chris Young Biography

Christopher Alan "Chris" Young (born June 12, 1985) 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 singles on Hot Country Songs: "Drinkin' Me Lonely" and "You're Gonna Love Me". A second album, The Man I Want to Be, was released September 1, 2009. It included the singles "Voices", "Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)", and "The Man I Want to Be", which all went to number 1. Young's third album, Neon, produced two more number ones in "Tomorrow" and "You".

Early years

Chris Young was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on June 12, 1985. His grandfather, Richard Yates, was a performer on the Louisiana Hayride. He showed interest in music from an early age, performing in various children's theater productions; while attending Oakland High School and Riverdale High School (Tennessee), he sang in his high school choir and began playing in local clubs. In 2000, he performed with his high school's Winter Drumline in a performance entitled "A Night at the Palladium", where he was a mariachi singer. The group performed in the Winter Guard International Tournament in Ohio that year. While attending college, he continued to tour, performing more than 150 shows a year.
Career
2005–2007: Nashville Star and Chris Young

At a gig in Arlington, Texas, he was encouraged to try out for Nashville Star, a television talent show on the USA Networks. Auditioning 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". It peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and 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 number 48.
2008–2010: Voices EP and The Man I Want to Be

In May 2008, Chris Young released his third single, "Voices". At the CMA Music Festival in June, he promoted the single by e-mailing it to visitors at his Music Fest booth. 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. 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 Chris Young's fourth chart single, "Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)", became his first number 1 single. The album's title track was released in November 2009. 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.

He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Gettin' You Home".
2011–present: Neon and fourth studio album

Chris 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.

The first single from Young's upcoming fourth studio album, "Aw Naw", was released to country radio on May 13, 2013.