Chris Young’s Personal Playlist: How His Influences Shaped His Music
Chris Young, with his distinct voice and impressive repertoire of country music hits, has become one of the genre’s most well-loved artists. Young, who grew up in country music, is vocal about his musical influences and how these artists have inspired his professional career. At a young age, Young was immersed in the genre, drawing inspiration from the artists who came before him. He told us how these artists have influenced his music.
Chris Young’s Musical Influences: The Roots of a Country Star
Born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Young was exposed to country music at a young age, partly because of his grandfather, Richard Yates, who was a performer on The Louisiana Hayride. “I grew up listening to a little bit of everything, which I think a lot of people default to, but definitely Keith Whitley, Randy Travis, Brooks and Dunn, Garth, George, Reba, Trisha Yearwood,” Young said in an interview with Backstage Country’s Kelly Ford. “I could keep going. Brad Paisley, Tracy Lawrence, basically people that had really, really amazing careers.”
He also credited Tim McGraw and Vince Gill, the latter of whom he had a chance to work with on the song “Sober Saturday Night.”
Chris Young: A Traditional Country Artist
One of the factors that contributed to Young’s longevity is how he stayed the course of being a traditional country artist. He did admit to having people tell him to do other types of music. Young told Kelly Ford, “You’ve got to just make the best music you can and put it out there and be authentic to yourself.”
Country Music’s Mount Rushmore
Ford asked Young who he would include on his personal Mount Rushmore of country music. Without missing a beat, Young responded. “Garth and George have to be up there. They just do.” He added, “Reba has to be up there, in my opinion,” acknowledging Reba McEntire’s monumental contribution to the genre.
When it came to naming the fourth artist, Young found himself in a dilemma since there are numerous legendary country music artists worthy of mention. After consideration, he finally settled on Keith Whitley, grateful for the late singer’s influence on him and the country music scene.
Listen to Chris Young play country music’s latest tunes and pay tribute to his musical influences this week at Backstage Country from September 2-6.
