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It goes without saying that having a rooftop barbecue with Chris Young is probalby high on a lot of people's lists when it comes to imagining a great time. But it turns out the Nashville Star-winning country crooner from Murfreesboro is more than just a pretty face and soulful (or sinful) lyrics, and more than a just a guy with beer in hand, hanging with his buds. We like that about him. We also like the fact that he's got a new album coming out July 12, Neonyou might have heard the chart topping single 'Tomorrow,” since it's already the most downloaded song Young's ever had.
If 'Tomorrow” (written by young with Frank J. Myers and our friend Anthony L. Smith) is any hint, Neon promises to be something of a remarkable album. At least one critic has already praised the song as 'the most traditional song you'll hear on county radio in 2011,” a reminder that Young's idols include some real country music legends, not just the new guys in the country fold. But lest you try to hold him to one aspect of the genre, think again. There's a lot going on here, Young hints. The title track, 'Neon,” he says 'probably would have gone to George Strait if it hadn't come to me first.”
'I co-wrote a song called "Lost" on this one, when I hear it, I want to roll the windows down,” he says, a smile in his voice. In contrast, 'She's Got This Thing About Her” has keyboards and an 11 piece string section. 'It's so cool, I've never done that before,” says Young. 'It's unexpected, you know? It's surprising when you pick it up, different.”
Young tells me what really got him was the fact he was actually releasing a third albumthat in itself is pretty amazing, especially with all the changes the music industry is going through. 'I'm still just excited to have this deal,” he says. 'I broke through at the beginning, had three No. 1's off my first record. But now, well, the single from this is already a good sign. This album is something special.”
With the album done, he and his band are off to do 'our own stuff.” That includes CMA Fest ('it's a big week for me, I'm playing LP Field this year!”), then hitting the road, including a tour with Jason Aldean Young seems almost little-kid giddy with anticipation about. Of course, instead of opening, this time he's the middle act, which is an unbelievably cool place to be on this toura ticket worth buying, it's safe to say.
Young sees his third studio effort as a benchmark of sorts. Each one, he says, is different, but he feels like he's really turning in the right direction. FM radio embraces him, there are new fans. 'Everything,” he says with satisfaction, 'is building the right way. Hey, you know, it's like there was a spot here waiting with my name on it.”
Chris's Favorite Nashville Spots:
Growing up in Murfreesboro, he's still a fan of time spent at Percy Priest Lake, or even at Center Hill Lake, when he has breathing space. Both provide the ideal setting for a barbecue. 'Okay, where you do go out, when you go?” I ask. 'The Midtown area, I've got to admit I love hanging out at Loser's. Plus, being from the ‘Boro, I love Demo's for a good steak. And there are Stoney River, Morton'sand I really love Las Palmas for some good Mexican food, I go there a lot.” Anything else he wants us to know? 'You know, everything's falling into place. Right now I feel pretty lucky.”