In March 2006, country music fans nationwide were first introduced to 20-year-old Chris Young when he appeared on the fourth season of the USA Network’s Nashville Star. The season was co-hosted by Wynonna and Cowboy Troy with Phil Vassar and Anastasia Brown acting as judges. Before appearing on the program, Young worked as the house singer for Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio, Texas, before being prompted to audition for the show in Houston, Texas. The Tennessean ultimately won his season of Nashville Star, beating out Casey Rivers and Nicole Jamrose.
“This is the 11-year anniversary of me winning Nashville Star, thanks to you guys, and being on RCA, and it’s the reason why I’m still there, is because of y’all. So, thank you very much for that,” Young posted to Facebook on May 2nd.
Enjoy the footage below of Chris discussing his original tune “Drinkin’ Me Lonely” and showing off his singer-songwriter versatility in front of an enthusiastic live audience.
His big win earned him a contract with RCA Records Nashville and he soon released the studio version of very first country song that he co-wrote, “Drinkin’ Me Lonely.” The track peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and served as the first single to his self-titled debut album.
Enjoy his official debut single below!
Fast forward to present day and Chris Young is set to unveil his new single“Losing Sleep” off an upcoming new album on May 12th. The track co-written with frequent collaborators Chris DeStefano (“Aw Naw”) and Josh Hoge (“Think of You,” “I’m Comin’ Over”). Fans can catch Young opening for Jason Aldean on the superstar’s 2017 They Don’t Know Tour, which started up on April 27th in Toledo, Ohio, and carries through the fall.
Share this fun look at Chris’ start with other fans of the Tennessee Native!
