← Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Takin' a Walk with Buzz Knight: Chris Young on His Journey, Resilience, and Songwriting Stories in Country Music
00:19:45
Loading summary
Transcript51 lines
- [00:01]
Podcast Host (Narrator)
Taking a Walk.
- [00:01]
Buzz Knight
Welcome to Taking a Walk. I'm your host, Buzz Knight. Now, today's conversation takes us inside the world of one of country music's most distinctive voices. We've been fortunate to have him on our Takin A walk Nashville show. And also, music saved me. And now he's on our takin a walk show. Chris Young has built a remarkable career on the strength of his rich baritone with hits like getting you home tomorrow and I'm coming over. From winning Nashville star to becoming a multi platinum artist and touring powerhouse, Chris has stayed true to traditional country sounds while connecting with modern audiences. We talk about his journey from small town Tennessee to sold out arenas, the stories behind his biggest songs, and what keeps him grounded after nearly two decades in the spotlight. Chris Young coming up next on the taking a walk podcast.
- [00:59]
Commercial Announcer
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed here.
- [01:05]
IBM Commercial Voice
So let me get this straight. Your company has data here, there and everywhere, but your AI can't use the data because it's here, there, and everywhere? Seems like something's missing. Every business has unique data. IBM helps your AI access your data wherever it lives. To change how you do business, let's create smarter business IBM.
- [01:34]
Product Advertisement Voice
Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line. But first, There the last one. Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes.
- [02:04]
Commercial Announcer
Saks off 5th is revealing the season's most wanted holiday steals. Whether you're gifting someone on your list or treating yourself to a designer score, find deals on McQueen, Valentino, Versace, Stuart Weitzman and more at up to 70% off every day, outshine at every event and outsmart your budget. From shimmer ready party looks to luxe layers and cozy giftable Accessories, Saks off 5th is your secret source for celebrating in style. Your holiday shopping missions starts now@saksoff5.com or a sax off fifth store near you.
- [02:41]
Podcast Host (Narrator)
Taking a walk.
- [02:42]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
Well, Chris Young, so awesome to be with you on the taking a walk podcast.
- [02:46]
Chris Young
Happy to be here, man. Happy to get to talk to you about life, music, everything else. And, you know, finally having a new album to give everybody, which I absolutely adore.
- [02:58]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
We're going to get into talking about. I didn't come here to leave, but I am not going to let you escape. Our signature question that we open up this little podcast with Chris Young. And the question is, if you could take a walk with somebody, living or dead, who would you take a walk with? And where would you take that walk with them?
- [03:20]
Chris Young
Ooh. All right, this is a tough one. I Am. I would probably say Elvis and I would take a walk through Nashville. And, like, I say this with the caveat of, like, no one knows that we're there. They can't see us. Right. We're just taking a walk through Nashville and looking at how much everything has changed. Because I would just ask him his opinion on life, music, what he went through, what he, you know, what were his tribulations that he dealt with, what were his highs, what were his lows? And I think that's somebody that lived an incredibly complicated life. As huge as he was as an artist, I feel like he would have a lot to say.
- [04:11]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
No doubt. Yes, he would.
- [04:13]
Chris Young
You guys would.
- [04:15]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
You'd both have you. I think you would be listening, and you would let.
- [04:18]
Chris Young
Elvis. I would not be talking. I would not be able to tell him anything. So that. That would definitely be a moment of, like, tell me. Feed me a little bit of information.
- [04:30]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
Yeah, I. I would love to be a fly on the wall for. For sure. So what was the first moment you remember being connected with music, whether it be from a particular song or an artist? And. And what was that? How old were you?
- [04:48]
Chris Young
I would say I was really young, sitting in the back of the car. Randy Travis, just huge, huge fan of Randy Travis growing up, which, obviously, when I was a kid, my voice was not this low. So I'm glad that it worked out this way, that now I can, you know, be a fan of that music. But I would say if you ask my mom, probably the moment that she was like, oh, please stop singing, was. She told me that one time she was in the grocery store and she left me in the magazine out because I was looking at comic books. I was, like, really excited because that's when you could pick up a comic book and just leaf through it. And I'm a nerd. I tell people that all the time. I just am. But she said all of a sudden, from about four rows over, she just hears me going, please, daddy, don't get drunk this Christmas, which is an Alan Jackson song. And she was like, not that one. Don't sing that one. Somebody's gonna think something's horribly wrong. But, yeah, I definitely Randy Travis really, really early on in my life.
- [06:05]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
I love it. I love it. So the new album, congratulations. It just jumps out so wonderfully, so heartfelt. There's so much variety on the new music. So congratulations on it. I really, really dig it. Tell me about the title. What does it mean to you? And why was it important to. To name the album?
- [06:29]
Chris Young
Well, it's funny because the song I Didn't Come Here to Leave sounds like we wrote it at 9pm, but we wrote it at 9am and we had a lot of fun writing it too. It was a very, very fast songwriting session. Brought in the idea we probably spent maybe 40, 45 minutes writing the entire thing. Walked out of there, listened to the demo that afternoon, gave it like a little bit of breathing room. I was like, get out of my brain for a second listen to it. And I was like, this is gonna be something that's gonna be a lot of fun to play live. And then sort of naming the record that. It's obviously intentional, but it's more so from the perspective of I still have a lot that I want to say in my music. And so I thought that encapsulated this really well because I've talked about things on this album that I haven't talked about before or maybe I haven't said a specific way. And like, you were just saying thank you very much for the compliment, that there's love songs, there's party songs, there's songs about my parents, there's songs about my faith, There's a whole lot that. That went into this huge shout out. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention him to Andy Sheridan for co producing this with me, because I think that was a big part of it as well.
- [07:53]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
So I'm always fascinated by processes. So can you just take us inside for this particular project what a songwriting session is like?
- [08:07]
Chris Young
Everybody always asks and I'm like, I have no way to explain to you, like, comprehensively how this works. Because it could be something that someone next to me said when I was at dinner last night and I heard it and was like, ooh, a song. Or it could be like a melody or like something that I'm playing. I've been in rooms before where there have been much more talented guitar players, and I was the one that picked up a guitar and we used my chord changes and I. I've been in other rooms where it's like, hey, does your back hurt from carrying this C.O. wright? Because you wrote most of this and I was just adding to it. And I think that anybody tells you differently, unless they wrote it 100 by themselves is probably lying a little bit.
- [08:54]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
How much does hijinks go into a writing session?
- [09:00]
Chris Young
That is probably the main reason why everybody is like, let's just come in and film you. And it would ruin a co WR is because we absolutely do mess with each other the entire time. And then there's like. There's other things that, like, go into it where maybe one person had a really crappy day, and they just have to talk out, like, hey, this happened to me. And this is why we end up writing the song that we write, especially if it's a breakup song, and you wouldn't want that on camera. And people would probably clam up and not just talk about their emotions. Like, you really do pour yourself into a song.
- [09:37]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
And how much anxiety is it for you in terms of the ordering of an album, how things, you know, what begins, what's in the middle? I mean, tell me about that from an artist standpoint.
- [09:52]
Chris Young
Well, I can tell you on this one, I had a lot of anxiety, mainly because there were 14 songs. I was not thinking about the fact that there is a vinyl for this record, and that is highly important. Everybody is, like, started to get back into it, even if it's just like, I signed, like, 6,000 of these things, by the way. So if anybody wants to go, like, pick up a signed copy, they exist. But when I was doing it and we were making the vinyl, I sent in my initial, like, hey, this is the order. This is what we're doing. It's very. I, Like, I already thought through, like, what comes first, second, third, fourth. And I do think about that. Like, a lot of thought process does go into. To the sequencing of an album. And then they called me back, and they're like, hey, so one. One side of this record is too long. They're like, you can only put so much time on each side of the. The actual record. And I was like, oh, yeah, I didn't think about that. So then I had to reorder a couple things where I'm like, okay, maybe if I move this piece here. It was like playing Tetris with the album a little bit, but we got it. It's all on one record, and it. It worked out. And I do think the sequence is really, really strong, so.
- [11:13]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
And it goes through. I do, too. It goes through, you know, a beautiful tapestry that you. That you paint. The anthems kind of suddenly jump out and grab you, but certainly the heartfelt songs are really special. Those in particular, I gravitate towards. And I know we've talked on this podcast, in our other podcast on Music Saved Me and on Taking a Walk Nashville about some of the songs, and Just Keep Living has been a theme as a incredibly special song. And I want you to maybe talk about that one a little.
- [11:53]
Chris Young
Yeah. And I've spoken, like you said, a Little bit on this song already. But for this particular moment, it's a song about my dad. My dad is technically my stepdad, but I always refer to him as my dad and my old man. And he is. And that's how he looks at himself, which is amazing. And he, you know, is just one of those incredible human beings that, for whatever reason, has been through all these different health things, and he's just sort of walked through it like somebody walking through a piece of cardboard. And I know it was harder than that for him and on him, but everybody's always like, you guys look so much alike. And it always makes me laugh. And I sat next to him when he was going through cancer, which is what this song is about. When he's got, you know, multiple different things that he's taken. He's taken this huge cocktail of everything. And they're talking to him, and he's like, I'll be fine. Just like, old country guy. They learn her mustache and all. And he's like. They're like, you're going to lose your hair. During the process of going through all this. The entire time, he had a full head of hair and a full mustache. Just. That's my dad. But he talked to me and my mom and my sister and told us he had cancer and he's beating it. They took a third of one of his lungs out, and he's still around kicking and doing everything else. But my mom and my sister started crying. I was like, I've got to stay, like, chill. And totally, I'm the other man of the family. Like, be. Be cool. And so they leave, and it's just me and him sitting there, and he's like, when they wheeled me back when I had my heart attack, because he had a widowmaker heart attack, which is your lower left ventricle, 99% is blocked. He drove himself to the hospital. Like, again, this is the kind of man this guy is. And I wouldn't recommend anyone doing that. By the way, that's listening to this podcast. Please don't do that. But he. He said, they wheel me back. They said, say your prayers. Whatever God you believe in. And they say that to you in the hospital if they think you might not wake up. And he was like, I prayed for y' all to be okay. He goes, I felt a weight lift off to me, like, off of my shoulders. He goes, I knew y' all were going to be okay. And so I didn't care. I was like, I'm good. He goes, this is just another one of those things, kid. So I wrote this song about him and then I had to call him and make sure it was okay to put the song on the record because it's very personal. But, yeah, I think this is a really powerful song that's a part of the fabric of this album.
- [15:00]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
It's wonderful. It made me envision being on a front porch, like, reflecting on. On life and what's important. And it just really took me to a place personally, you know, in that regard. So thank you for sharing, you know, your personal reflections on it. And it wouldn't be the right thing to leave a song off about your mother. So. Talk about a different take on the world.
- [15:32]
Chris Young
With your mom happier. Have your. Yeah, Jesus, mama, country radio. Enough said. It's pretty self explanatory, but also I. I do say this on a lot of interviews, but it's the truth. If I had put a song about my dad on there and didn't put a song about my mom. She knows where I live.
- [15:52]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
And watch out.
- [15:54]
Chris Young
Yeah, for sure.
- [15:57]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
What's your favorite thing that your mom cooks for you?
- [16:01]
Chris Young
You know what? Probably she makes a great chicken chili that is just Chef's kiss. That's. It's perfect.
- [16:13]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
I love it. Talk about some of your other other favorites off of the new album.
- [16:19]
Chris Young
Yeah, I would say Ten Roof is one that comes up a lot. That's. That's one of my faves. I obviously, I love the single, which is weird because now I've called out two songs that are two of the three that I didn't write. But till the last one dies is very important. Boots on the Ground to me is a lot of fun. And what's funny is the guy that wrote Tin Roof, one of the guys is actually signed in my publishing company. His name's Ty Graham. He's a good friend of mine. We've written a bunch of songs that are on the record together. But he is very much like, if John Mayer, like, slammed into country music, like, that's how I imagine him. Just insane guitar player. Like, that's very much. He's very raspy, breathy, like, but still, like, powerful vocally, I would say where I'm like, hey, I can play this song with two chords. He's like, yeah, but I can play it with 14. Watch this. I did not expect him to like this song. And Boots on the Ground specifically, it is. It is a. Like, we made a line dance to this song. It is. When I was writing it, that was the entire purpose of the chorus. I mean, obviously there's a. There's another hook to it if you listen to all the lyrics. But we made the video with everybody doing the line dance. We got to make, like, a really cool bar scene that was very vibey. And he called me, and he goes, I love Boots on the ground, man. I'm like, that's the one that you like. You. You gravitated towards that one because, well, I didn't want to call out my own song. So he goes, yeah, that was the one that I love.
- [18:06]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
I hear a lot of hits on it. And it's just. That's. That's my opinion. I, I, That's. That's what I'm hoping and believing. And there's a lot of hits on this. On this one, Chris, for sure, you know.
- [18:17]
Chris Young
Thank you, ma'. Am. Hope you're right. Your mouth of God's ears.
- [18:21]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
Yes, sir. So, in closing, what's something you learned about yourself as an artist that you wish you'd known when you started?
- [18:28]
Chris Young
Who? That's a. That's a heavy question. So if I was going to say anything, it's that you can fail and still come back from it. I get that everybody knows, like, nobody's perfect, but I remember the very first time after I'd finally started having number ones and finals, Just any hit of any kind, and I had five in a row. And then the sixth song didn't work. We didn't make a video for it. There was a period where I had a number one, and then, like, the next song only went to 23. And it was just sort of like, okay, where. Where am I in the landscape of music? Like, did I pick the wrong songs? Do I need to, like, change up my team? Don't need to change up something about me. I. I remember I sat down, I had a conversation with someone, and I changed management, and I had this whole album ready to go. I had written all these songs. I was like, what am I going to do with it? And oddly enough, that's sort of the same situation I'm in with this project. But that project was recorded at the same studio that my record label now owns. It was at the Soundstage, and it's Black River Entertainment owned that studio. I recorded this whole album with a friend of mine, Corey Crowder, and it was I'm coming over. And then I had three straight number ones again. So even if you think like, ah, man, that last one didn't work, try, try again. And it. It sucks to have heard that all of your life. And everybody always says it to you and you have that in your brain and you know that it's just a saying that everybody uses, but that's why it sticks around as a saying. You never know.
- [20:24]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
You know, resilience is a theme often in this show in terms of an artist sticking with it and believing and people believing in. So that's an important theme for you to pass on to everybody, no matter what walk of life that they're in. Chris Absolutely. I really want to thank the folks at Black River Entertainment and Cindy Hunt from Monarch for connecting us.
- [20:48]
Chris Young
Great people.
- [20:49]
Interviewer (Taking a Walk Host)
So grateful to have you on. Chris Young, it's an honor. Congratulations on the new music and thank you for being on Taking a Walk.
- [20:57]
Chris Young
Hey, thank you for talking with me, thank you for talking about the album and very much appreciate your time.
- [21:04]
Podcast Host (Narrator)
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.
- [21:23]
Commercial Announcer
Saks Off 5th is revealing the season's most wanted holiday steals. Whether you're gifting someone on your list or treating yourself to a designer, score, find deals on McQueen, Valentino, Versace, Stuart Weitzman and more at up to 70% off every day, outshine at every event and outsmart your budget. From shimmer ready party looks to luxe layers and cozy giftable Accessories, Saks off 5th is your secret source for celebrating in style. Your holiday shopping mission starts now@saksoff5.com or a Saks off 5th store near you.
- [21:57]
Product Advertisement Voice
New school year, new routines, and somehow your calendar is already full. When life gets hectic, cauliflower's got your back. We make the food you crave made better for you, like thin and crispy cauliflower crust pizzas, all natural chicken tenders and nostalgic pizza snacks ready in minutes in something the whole family can agree on. Caulifowwer is available in freezer aisles nationwide. Visit eatcaulypower.com to find a store near you. 10 athletes will face the toughest job interview in fitness that will push past physical and mental breaking points. You are the fittest of the fit. Only one of you will leave here with an IFIT contract worth $250,000.
- [22:43]
Chris Young
This is where mindset comes in.
- [22:44]
Product Advertisement Voice
Someone will be eliminated.
- [22:47]
Commercial Announcer
Pressure is coming down.
- [22:49]
Buzz Knight
Trainer Games on Prime Video January 8th Watch the trailer on trainer games.com this.
- [22:54]
Commercial Announcer
Is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.