Podcast Summary

Podcast: takin' a walk (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode: Chris Young: From Tennessee Titan to Country Music Stardom: How Music, Mentorship and Resilience Shaped Multi-Platinum Success
Release Date: November 27, 2025
Host: Lynn Hoffman
Guest: Chris Young

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of "Takin' a Walk" dives deep into the personal and artistic journey of multi-platinum country singer-songwriter Chris Young. Host Lynn Hoffman guides the conversation through Chris's early musical influences, the emotional role of music in his life, his career evolution, and the ways music—and giving back—have been central to his identity and resilience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Musical Influences and Family Roots

• Chris credits his grandfather as a major influence, exposing him to classic country music and giving him a firm musical foundation:
  • “He had a music room. He played piano. Played guitar, still does. He's 93. … He was the guy that, like, set me down and played me 45s and 78s of, like, Marty Robbins and Lefty Frizzell and people like that.” (05:37)
• Experienced a unique, instrument-free church singing tradition, enhancing his sense of harmony and communal music-making.
• First country song Chris recalls singing in childhood: "Diggin' Up Bones" by Randy Travis, at age three.

Realizing Music as a Lifeline and Career

• Chris recalls the moment that solidified music as more than a pastime:
  • Hearing his song on the radio for the first time as a signed artist:
  • “I pulled over… and I saw my name scroll across and pulled over and was just like, this is a moment. Like, this is so cool. ... I was so excited. ...It was one play on a radio station, but it was the fact that it, it happened." (03:35)
  • “Did I roll my windows down and turn it up? Yes, I did.” (05:18)

The Healing & Expressive Power of Music

• Music as therapy during personal struggles, especially breakups:
  • “Breakups, man. ...I think the breakup songs are something that's truly intrinsic in country music. ...Even though it seems like it would be depressing to listen to a breakup song...that is one of the things that helps you heal. ...That's what makes music so important.” (07:57)
• Notable Songs for Hard Times:
  • "Drowning" (co-written by Chris): Inspired by the loss of a close friend.
  • “That song means volumes to me of just losing a friend way too soon. ...It still continues to just define a piece of life that I lived through.” (11:13)
  • "I Want To Be" (written by Brett Chains): Highlighted as one that resonates with listeners, especially men who might not typically express emotion openly.
    • “Guys...they’ll come up and be like, yeah, that one. That one got me.” (09:55)
• On the role of songs during emotional lows and highs:
  • “I think everybody has their favorite song...you have to think that means that song to them is worth more in their mind than anything else that they've ever heard.” (14:14)

The Intimate Bond With Fans

• Chris describes moments when fans share deeply personal responses to his music:
  • “I've had people, you know, at the most recent show ... a guy gets down on one knee and asked her and got engaged. ...with the new song, I was just like, man, that's awesome." (14:14)

Songwriting, Vulnerability, and New Perspectives

• About the album “I Didn’t Come Here to Leave”
  • Title reflects a sense of ongoing purpose: “It doesn't mean anything other than I've got more to say.” (17:28)
  • Songs delve into new territory, such as “Just Keep Living,” about his father's battle with cancer—a song he wrote with his father's blessing.
• The creative process: Contradicting expectations, Chris shares that the song “I Didn’t Come Here to Leave” was written at 9am, not late at night, adding a playful twist to assumptions about the origins of country songs. (18:41)

Music as Service & Giving Back

• Philanthropy and Music Education:
  • Chris Young Café at MTSU and scholarships for recording art students embrace his desire to foster music education.
  • He also supports military and cancer charities.
  • “I think you should give back if you have the ability to. ...The people that put me here are facilitating that, and I feel like it's something you should do as an artist and whatever level that you can.” (19:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Country Breakup Songs:
  • “Even though it seems like it would be depressing to listen to a breakup song, if you're going through a breakup…I think that is one of the things that helps you heal.” — Chris Young (08:29)
• On Fan Impact:
  • “If there's one person out there that does that, that's incredible. I think everybody has their favorite song."— Chris Young (14:14)
• On Healing Power of Music:
  • “If you're just sort of having a broken moment as a human, which I think we all do, ...I think music can kind of fill that void.” — Chris Young (12:47)
• On Giving Back:
  • “I'm just grateful that I'm able to do that.” — Chris Young (19:11)
• On Creative Longevity:
  • “It doesn't mean anything other than I've got more to say.” — Chris Young, on the album title "I Didn’t Come Here to Leave" (17:28)
• Memorable Fan Story:
  • “[I played at a festival where] a guy gets down on one knee and asked her and got engaged. …with the new song, I was just like, man, that's awesome.” (14:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:35: Chris Young describes the pivotal moment hearing his song on the radio.
• 05:36: Chris discusses his childhood music influences and family impact.
• 07:57: Talking about music as a comfort during breakups and hardships.
• 09:55: On the emotional power of "I Want To Be" and recent loss of songwriter Brett Chains.
• 11:13: Writing "Drowning" about losing a friend.
• 12:47: On what "music saved me" means personally to Chris.
• 14:14: The value of knowing you've made someone's favorite song and a fan’s engagement at his show.
• 17:28: The significance of “I Didn’t Come Here to Leave” and writing about his father’s cancer battle.
• 19:11: Chris explains the importance of music education and charitable giving.

Final Thoughts

This episode gives a heartfelt and personal look into the ways music, mentorship, and resilience have shaped Chris Young's life. From family roots in Tennessee, emotional honesty, and the unvarnished ups and downs of a career in country music, Chris remains grounded and deeply generous. He emphasizes the value of connecting with listeners, the healing power of songwriting, and the ongoing importance of giving back, offering listeners both inspiration and a window into the authentic power of country music storytelling.