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10 Questions with ... Chris Young
January 15, 2017
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Web: www.FolgersCoffee.com/jingle-coming-soon
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ChrisYoungMusic
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ChrisYoungMusicOne of Country music's most powerful voices, Chris Young had his humble beginnings on "Nashville Star," the singing competition that he won in 2006. He was awarded a record deal with RCA Nashville, and that same year he released his self-titled debut album. Now, over ten years later, Chris has seven #1 hit singles; six studio albums, including his first-ever holiday album, "It Must Be Christmas;" three RIAA Gold album certifications, five RIAA Gold single certifications, and six RIAA Platinum single certifications. He also recently received the news that his hit duet with Cassadee Pope, "Think Of You," had garnered a Grammy nomination. Young sat down with All Access recently to discuss that Grammy nod, his recent collaborations, plans for 2017, and a partnership with Folgers coffee.
1. Chris, thank you so much for taking time to speak with us today. You had a big 2016 - including a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Cassadee Pope on "Think Of You." Were the two of you together when you found out about the nomination; what does the nomination for this particular collaboration mean to you, personally?
Very, very awesome. I'm obviously stoked about that, and Cassadee is stoked about that, too. I called her right away. We immediately got on the phone, and I wanted to celebrate - because that is something very worthy of celebrating! With everything that has gone on with that song, to be able to cap it off with a Grammy nomination has been pretty incredible.
2. You have been out on the road with Cassadee for some time now. With that professional relationship forming and growing between the two of you, do you foresee any more collaborations with her in the future?
Who knows? I think that's something that we've both discussed. Obviously, this is the very first duet I've ever put out. But with it having that much success, getting the chance to work with someone as talented as she is - who knows?
3. Another collaboration that some might not be as familiar with is your partnership with Josh Hoge, who co-wrote "Think Of You." Can you tell us about working with Josh and what your partnership has meant in terms of its impact on your music?
I think if you go back to that album, "I'm Comin' Over," and everything, we changed. That was the first time I had produced any of my stuff, and it was the very first time that Corey [Crowder] and Josh and I got in the room to write. And that song ended up on the record. Being able to have the run of success that we've had, first with "I'm Comin' Over" and then with "Think Of You," that trio of us in a room just has something special. We're also very good friends, which is something that you don't always get a chance to have. You don't always get that opportunity to make amazing music with people who you are that close with, regardless of the songwriting aspect. It has just been a lot of fun, and the ride has been incredible. We made the Christmas record together, and Corey and I did as well. He and Josh and I also have a song on there. I don't foresee it ending anytime soon, which makes it even better.
4. The end of 2016 marked another first for you - your first Christmas album! "It Must Be Christmas" included some great holiday classics, but you also wrote two originals for the album, the title track and "Under The Weather." How did the writing process differ for the holiday tracks, and did you feel any added pressure with that music?
It's really different trying to make original Christmas music. I've tried to write some over the years, and it has just never been very good! I think that the timing of this couldn't have been better, because I ended up writing two songs that I really, really loved - and that are both different. But they're also both perfect songs for the holidays. Making a Christmas album, you have to have a couple of originals on there! This was a really, really fun process. Other than the fact that we were working on this in July when it was 102 degrees, it came together really, really well!
5. On the flip-side of that, how did you turn holiday standards and classics in to something that you felt represented you - and something that would stand out from the other 15-20 Country Christmas albums released this year?
Narrowing it down to ten songs was hard, because there were just so many songs I wanted to put on that record. Once we finally got to it, it was just walking a fine line of making something that is truly yours, but also understanding that this is a Standard that so many people have sung, and so many people have heard at Christmastime. Walking that fine line of making it yours but not messing it up!
6. In addition to the great artist cameos you have on your holiday album, your current radio single, "Sober Saturday Night," features Vince Gill. How have you approached these artists with ideas to collaborate? Do you have any other artists left on the collaboration bucket list?
Oh, gosh, yes! There are so many more people that I want to work with in the future! But being able to have the list, like you said, of not only Vince [Gill] on the single ["Sober Saturday Night"], but also having Brad [Paisley], Alan [Jackson], and Boyz II Men on the Christmas record - it has been so amazing to work with people that I am such a huge fan of. Finding out that they like my music and wanted to get in the studio and work on music is just an incredible feeling. How it comes together depends a little bit on the person. With Brad, I just texted him. I said, "Hey, will you be on my Christmas record?" And he just said, "Yeah!" That was it! That was the entire process. This album ["It Must Be Christmas"] was the first time I had done any collaborations where we weren't in the studio together. There were a lot of people where I was just sending it out with a guideline, kind of saying, "Hey, sing here, here, and here. Anything else you want to add would be great." But you obviously don't have to tell Boyz II Men, Alan Jackson, or Brad Paisley what to do! They're all pretty bad ass! But Brad put so much time in to it. He shot back, "Hey, I know you said to sing here, here, and here, but I took some liberties." When he sent it back, it was just so amazing to see all the effort he had put into it. The same goes for what Boyz II Men and Alan Jackson did, too. It felt awesome to know that they all took that time. Boyz II Men actually recorded their part in Japan while they were touring! I'm just so glad everything came together so well.
7. We had the opportunity to see you at the Diamond Award Celebration show for Garth Brooks that was held at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville in the Fall. You sang a very moving rendition of "The River," and you looked to be genuinely soaking up that moment. How did the appearance come about, and what were you thinking in that moment?
He asked. He invited me! I was just like, "Absolutely! I want to be a part of that!" It was an amazing night, and it was a really, really cool moment. They asked, "What song do you want to do?" And I said, "Wait. I get to pick?!" I just love that song. And they asked if I wanted to play, so I said, "Well...does he want to play with me...?" I mean, it was like, I really wanted him to play with me, but I didn't want to overstep, because he has already invited me. But they said yes! That was a cool night, and a cool moment to be a part of. Seven Diamond Awards?! That's just insane!
8. You've been heavily involved with charitable causes for most of your life, but this year, you've taken it a step farther and established your own scholarship fund at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Why did you elect to start this scholarship program? What does being a mentor and advisor to up-and-coming young artists mean to you personally?
I think there are so many people that helped me, and a lot of people who are still helping me every day. That's just a part of me, and it's part of this - the comradery. Being able to go through some classes in that RIM Program at MTSU - the Recording Industry Major - I know firsthand how awesome that program is. And it's in my hometown, so being able to give back in that way was really very special. Obviously, music education is something I'm very passionate about, because this is what I do. I have my dream job! Being able to foster that for other people down the road is very, very cool.
9. As we begin to wade in the waters of 2017, what can you tell us about what's on your plate for the coming months? Are you working on any new music, and will there be additional tour dates?
All of those things! Nothing is really announced yet, but trust me - there's lots of plans already in place, and a lot of stuff I can't wait to tell people about.
10. You're also launching a partnership for 2017 with Folgers coffee. How did that pairing come together, and what does the partnership entail?
All the information is out there on the Folgers website. But just getting the chance to work with them - such an iconic brand - I don't know that there is a musician on the face of this planet that doesn't drink coffee! Being able to partner with the brand is just awesome. It's a competition. And everyone knows the jingle, obviously - "The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup." [Editor's Note: Yes, Chris Young sings that jingle just as amazingly as you just imagined, because we all know Chris Young could sing the phonebook and make it sound great.] So, it's giving people the opportunity to take that, work on it, make it their own, and use their own story woven in to it to create something around the jingle that is specific to them. We're giving people the opportunity to win $25,000! And, that is a lot of money. That, and they'll also win a mentoring session with me. The fact that Folgers wanted to do that - you talk about being a songwriter and wanting to create iconic music - having a jingle that has been around for so long and is still so cool when you hear it come through, that is pretty special. So, being able to work with Folgers and everything they are doing is pretty cool. And like we said, $25,000 is a lot of money for - well, anybody! Not just someone trying to come up as a musician! But being given the opportunity to participate in everything they are doing and working with Folgers, this will be a cool partnership for me. And I'm so excited and honored that I'm the artist they wanted to work with!
Bonus Questions
1. Since we're talking Folgers here, how do you take your coffee? Do you have a favorite coffee shop?
I don't know that I have a favorite coffee shop, really. But as far as how I take my coffee, I'll do a little cream and sugar. Every now and then, I'll just go straight black coffee. I'm not a latte guy, and I'm not doing anything nuts with my coffee order. My sister is one of those where I'm pretty sure there's more sugar than there is coffee in her coffee. I'm pretty simple.
2. We know that you love Christmas. You've released your Christmas album, you posted several Throwback Christmas photos on social media, and you teamed with Toys For Tots during your November and December "I'm Comin' Over Tour" stops. So, looking back, what was your favorite Christmas gift? And, are you a planner when it comes to shopping for gifts, or do you do everything last minute?
My favorite Christmas gift was when I got a guitar for Christmas. So, that's a pretty easy question and easy decision for me! But as far as shopping and how I shop? I'm probably a blend. I try to get it done in advance, but there's always like one more person or one more gift that has I've forgotten, and I'll do that the day before. But I go in knowing what I want to get someone, usually.
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