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Since winning the Nashville Star contest in 2006, Chris Young's career has skyrocketed into the upper echelons of Country music. He's played at the Grand Ole Opry and has been asked to come back again on St. Patrick's Day. Chris has been on tour all across America promoting his first single, "Drinkin' Me Lonely". The future is wide open for this talented 21 year old songwriter with a voice way beyond his years. Chris and I spoke for awhile in Nashville before heading out on the road again.
Kelly Dunn: Thanks for meeting today! What's been going on this past year?
Chris Young: Well, we've been on the road a lot and it's been pretty interesting! Meeting lots of people and going to different venues. The biggest things were going on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and playing at the Opry.
Kelly Dunn: What was your favorite venue this past year...
Chris Young: By far it was playing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. It was something was just beyond words, a fantastic part of my life.
Kelly Dunn: What got you into music in the beginning...
Chris Young: My grandfather played a bunch of different instruments and could play the dickens out of them. So
Kelly Dunn: Did you perform in local groups while growing up?
Chris Young: I played in some local bands in high school and then college. The funniest story was when we played in a storage unit that my drummer had rented. It was really hot in the Summer! (laughter)
Kelly Dunn: Then I read that you moved out to Texas?
Chris Young: I was offered a gig in Texas and I moved out there. It was great. I didn't have to do anything but show up and sing. It was a great gig and the people there really appreciated me.
Kelly Dunn: What instruments do you play?
Chris Young: Mainly guitar but I do like play other instruments. Right now I own twenty guitars.
Kelly Dunn: Twenty guitars?
Chris Young: I keep them in the case because I'm on the road so often. I don't play half of them but it's fun.
Kelly Dunn: Do you find time to write with all this activity?
Chris Young: Oh yeah, I'm writing all the time. Some years I write more than others but on average I write about fifty to sixty songs.
Kelly Dunn: Being on the road do you just write your ideas down on paper?
Chris Young: Actually I use my cell phone to capture the melody and lyrics. The phone has a recorder and I just turn it on and it works.
Kelly Dunn: What's the frustrating part of getting songs out there today...
Chris Young: Well today we are lucky to get two songs a year out there. There's just so much competition that two songs is about all you can get out there.
Kelly Dunn: What about your band, did the label pick your players or you?
Chris Young: I picked all the players that are in my group. These are guys that get I've met along the way and asked if they'd join me on the road.
Kelly Dunn: Do you have any tours lined up for overseas?
Chris Young: We are thinking about doing some gigs in Canada and Europe but probably in the later part of next year. Right now we are focusing on doing the radio airplay and venues here in the States.
Kelly Dunn: Do you co-write?
Chris Young: I co-write all the time. There was a time when I first started out, that I wrote by myself. One day a friend in Nashville asked me if I wanted to co-write and I looked at him and said, "What do you mean co-write, co what?" He said, you know, co-write a song together! (laughter) I think you get a much better product when you co-write. Different people bring in different ideas. I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't co-write.
Kelly Dunn: How has the Internet changed the way you approach your music career...
Chris Young: Well, when your record label starts checking your MySpace page to see how you are doing then that's say alot! The Internet plays a big part in the decision making process. It makes it easier to stay in touch with my fans.
Kelly Dunn: Are you planning on putting any new video's onto your site or YouTube? I've seen some artist doing these million dollar videos...
Chris Young: Well I can tell you we don't have any million dollar videos! (laughter) We have one video on MySpace right now but really videos don't do much for us. It's really more about the radio play than about videos.
Kelly Dunn: I see you are doing the CMA show in June of '07.
Chris Young: I am but I'll always call it Fan Fair!
Kelly Dunn: How did the song, "Drinking Me Lonely" come about...
Chris Young: That all started when I came up with a verse and chorus. It's one of my favorites. I added the falsetto during the middle of the song as a tribute to Marty Robbins, one of my idols.
Kelly Dunn: What was like to hear your song on the radio for the first time...
Chris Young: It was great. I have one of those car radios that displays the name of the artist and the song scrolls across the display. So I took my phone out and used the video capture to record my song playing on the radio.
Kelly Dunn: So you took your phone and played the video for your friends and family?
Chris Young: Of course! (laughter) I played that for everyone I ran into! It was a great moment for me.
Kelly Dunn: Do you have a decked-out tour bus?
Chris Young: I'll tell you the truth: The decked-out busses have a rough ride. They are nice and all but I'd rather ride in something less decked-out and have a smooth ride!
Kelly Dunn: Where do you eat while on the road...
Chris Young: You haven't lived until you've eaten at a Waffle House. It's a great place to eat. It's more than just the food...it's an experience. I love it! I'd suggest to anyone to check out a Waffle House. It's great!
Kelly Dunn: Thanks for taking time today and meeting with me. I thank you and I wish you continued success!
Chris Young: It's been a pleasure speaking with you today! Tell everyone at at SongwriterPro that I said hello. Tell everyone that I hope to see them at one of my gigs this year!
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Visit Chris Young's web site at: www.ChrisYoungCountry.com or www.MySpace.com/chrisyoungmusic
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