Chris Young Reflects On Rare Double Milestone: His 10th Album Release And Opry Anniversary
“We didn’t do that on purpose, but I am honestly really happy that it did happen that way.”
Chris Young is preparing to mark a very special set of milestones this week. On Friday, October 17, the country star will release of his tenth studio album, I Didn’t Come Here To Leave, and celebrate the eighth anniversary of his induction into the Grand Ole Opry. As the date approaches, Young took a moment to appreciate the milestones and what they represent in his career.
The “I’m Comin’ Over” singer received a life-changing invitation on August 29, 2017, when Vince Gill asked him to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was officially inducted on October 17, 2017, by fellow Opry member Brad Paisley. That night, Young performed four songs for a sold-out audience including his number one single with Cassadee Pope, “Think Of You.”
Chris Young; Photo by John Shearer
On Friday, Young will remember that fateful night as he celebrates his eighth Opry anniversary and coincidentally releases his new project. He told Country Now and other outlets that the timing of these two celebrations wasn’t planned, but he’s “really happy” it worked out this way.
Young places tremendous value on his Opry membership and feels that there’s no better way to celebrate it than by launching the next chapter of his career with his tenth studio album.
“Being a member of the Grand Ole operate is something that’s greatly important to me, mainly because a lot of my country music knowledge from the past and what I ended up doing in the future came from my grandfather and sitting at his house,” Young recalled. “He had a little music room, he played piano and played guitar and listened to a lot of Marty Robbins’ records with him when I was at his house. So I’ve always had a deep respect for the history of country music, and it’s one of the reasons that I get excited every single time I walk in that door.”
He goes on to admit that every time he walks inside the coveted venue, he still looks to the wall of Opry members to confirm that his dream of having his name alongside so many greats is still real.
“I’m like, is it there? Yeah, okay. It’s still there. But very, very exciting and obviously being able to marry those two things with an anniversary of becoming an Opry member and a member of that family with an album launch when it’s my 10th album is pretty incredible,” Young added.
I Didn’t Come Here To Leave serves as both his 10th studio album and his first with Black River Entertainment. Upon its release, fans will get their hands on 14 new songs, 11 of which are co-writes.
Chris Young;I Didn’t Come Here To Leave
Young first lunched this new chapter with his single “Til The Last One Dies,” which continues to rise on the country radio and streaming charts. He has also unveiled the title track and the powerful tune that further taps into his passion for the genre, “Jesus, Momma, Country Radio.”
Chris Young has another first in his near future. Beginning November 20 in Grand Rapids, IA, he will launch his first-ever holiday tour dubbed, “It Must Be Christmas – An Acoustic Evening with Chris Young. The trek is set to bring holiday cheer to fans across Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, New York and more through December.
