Chris Young has made his mark in Country music over the last 18 years, but that’s not the only type of music he’s excelled in. During his appearance on the Friday Night Takeover with Audacy’s Rob + Holly, Young shared he’s been a classically trained Jazz musician for many years.
LISTEN NOW: Chris Young turned down Jazz scholarship to chase his Country music dream
“I can sing in multiple languages, I was trained classically,” Young shared before detailing he had a Jazz scholarship to Berkeley, which he turned down to remain focused on Country. “I wanted to be a Country artist, I just liked Jazz.”
Despite turning down the scholarship, Young says he didn’t decline every opportunity that came his way with Jazz. During his high school years, Chris shared he was one of the few students chosen to participate in the highly-competitive NARAS (National Academy of Recoding Arts & Sciences) GRAMMY Jazz choir.
“I ended up as the only Baritone that year,” he said of the time he was selected. “[I] had to send in acapella scales and all kinds of crazy stuff.”
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While he didn’t seize all opportunities his classical training brought, Young says he accomplished what he wanted to with it by becoming a better Country artist.
“Even if you’re singing Country music, you want to sing correctly — you don’t want to blow your voice out or anything,” he shared, detailing how the training helped him elevate his vocals. “It was something my parents allowed me to get started on when I was in High School.”
Fans can hear the result of Young’s highly-trained vocals on his newest album, Young Love & Saturday Nights, available now. Plus, learn more about his training, fitness routine and how he handled the recent assault allegations placed on him by checking out his entire interview with Audacy’s Rob + Holly above.