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Brett Young (singer)

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Brett Young
Young in 2015
Background information
Birth nameBrett Charles Young
Born (1981-03-23) March 23, 1981 (age 43)[1]
Anaheim, California
GenresCountry pop
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • guitarist
Years active2007–present
LabelsBMLG
Websitebrettyoungmusic.com

Brett Charles Young (born March 23, 1981) is an American country pop singer, songwriter and guitarist from Anaheim, California.[2] He was a college baseball pitcher but took up songwriting after an elbow injury.[3] His self-titled debut EP, produced by Dann Huff, was released by Republic Nashville on February 12, 2016.[4][5] The lead single, "Sleep Without You", was released on April 11th that year and he had a major success with a follow-up single, "In Case You Didn't Know". He released his second major label album Ticket to L.A. in 2018, and the third, Weekends Look a Little Different These Days, in 2021.

Early life[edit]

Young was born in Anaheim, Orange County.[1] He attended Calvary Chapel High School in Costa Mesa, California and then went to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Irvine Valley College, and California State University, Fresno (Fresno State).[6][7] He began singing in the late 1990s when he stepped in to replace a leader of a band who did no show up during a Christian worship meeting at high school.[7]

Young was a pitcher on his high school baseball team and led the squad to a CIF championship. He went to Ole Miss on a baseball scholarship in 1999 after turning down pre-draft selection by both Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Minnesota Twins.[8][9] In his one-season on the Rebel baseball team in 2000, he earned a varsity letter posting two wins and two saves. He then lettered for one season at Irvine Valley before moving to Fresno State.[10] However, his pursuit of a professional baseball career was cut short by an elbow injury while at college in Fresno in 2003.[11][12]

Music career[edit]

According to Young, he was inspired by Gavin DeGraw after he heard DeGraw's album Chariot as well as by singer-songwriter Jeremy Steele. Young decided to return to music.[7] He independently released a self-titled four-song EP in 2007,[13] Make Believe in 2011,[14] followed by the albums Brett Young,[15] On Fire,[16] and Broken Down in 2012–13.[17]

After being based for eight years in Los Angeles, Young moved to Nashville.[18] He was soon signed by the Big Machine Label Group in August 2015.[19]

2016–present: Brett Young EP and album[edit]

Brett Young performing in 2017

In February 2016, Young released a six-song self-titled EP.[11] "Sleep Without You" was released as the first single from the EP in April 2016. He wrote the song with Justin Ebach and Kelly Archer.[20] The second single to be released from the album "In Case You Didn't Know", was released on January 9, 2017 becoming Young's signature song. The song was his first to reach number one on the Country Airplay chart[21] and it was certified Diamond by RIAA.[22] The album's third single, "Like I Loved You" released to country radio on July 17, 2017.

On February 10, 2017, Young released his self-titled debut studio album Brett Young. The album was produced by Dann Huff, and released through Big Machine Label Group. It debuted at number two on the Top Country Albums chart. Young tours with his band which includes lead guitarist Keaton Simons, drummer Billy Hawn, keys/guitarist Matt Ferranti, and bass guitarist Noah Needleman.

2018–2020: Ticket to L.A.[edit]

In December 2018, Young released his sophomore album Ticket to L.A..[23] The lead single for the album, "Here Tonight", which he co-wrote with Ben Caver, Justin Ebach, and Charles Kelley from Lady A was released in September 2018.[24] It was number one on the Country Airplay in April 2019. The album's second single, "Catch" released to country radio on June 3, 2019.

2020–present: Weekends Look a Little Different These Days[edit]

In April 2020, Young released the single "Lady", which he wrote about his wife and daughter.[25] It is the lead-off single to his third studio album Weekends Look a Little Different These Days, which was released on June 4, 2021.[26] "Lady" reached number one on the Country Airplay chart in April 2021. The album's second single "Not Yet" was released in the same month. However, it was less successful, only peaking at number 37 on the Country Airplay chart. It was Young's first single to miss the Top 10, as well as his lowest-charting single to date and the first to miss number one since his 2016 debut single “Sleep Without You”. A third single "You Didn't" was released in November 2021. In October 2021, he released a Christmas album Brett Young & Friends Sing the Christmas Classics.[27]

Personal life[edit]

In February 2018, Young and his girlfriend Taylor Mills were engaged.[28] They wed in Palm Desert, California on November 3, 2018. On April 6, 2019, they announced that they were expecting their first child in the fall 2019.[29][30] Their daughter Presley was born on October 21, 2019.[31] On January 27, 2021, they announced that they were expecting their second child in summer 2021.[32] Their second daughter Rowan was born on July 21, 2021.

Discography[edit]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Awards Category Recipient/Work Result Ref
2017 Academy of Country Music Awards New Male Vocalist of the Year Himself Nominated [33]
CMT Music Awards Breakthrough Video of the Year "In Case You Didn't Know" Nominated [34]
Teen Choice Awards Choice Country Song Nominated [35]
Country Music Association Awards New Artist of the Year Himself Nominated [36]
2018 Academy of Country Music Awards New Male Vocalist of the Year Himself Won [37]
Billboard Music Awards Top Country Song "In Case You Didn't Know" Nominated [38]
Top Country Album Brett Young Nominated
CMT Music Awards Video of the Year "Mercy" Nominated [39]
Country Music Association Awards New Artist of the Year Himself Nominated [40]
2019 Teen Choice Awards Choice Country Artist Himself Nominated [41]

Television appearances[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2014 Chrisley Knows Best Himself Performed at a Party
2019 CMT Crossroads Alongside Boyz II Men and Brooks & Dunn
American Idol Seventeenth season Top 24
The Bachelor 23rd season (Colton Underwood)

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Brett Young". The Baseball Cube.
  2. ^ Mastrogiannis, Nicole (April 13, 2016). "INTERVIEW: Five Things Brett Young Does When He 'Can't Sleep Without You'". 94.7 WDSD. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  3. ^ Littman, Margaret (March 1, 2016). "10 New Country Artists You Need to Know: March 2016". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  4. ^ Laffer, Lauren (February 12, 2016). "Newcomer Brett Young Debuts Self-Titled EP". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  5. ^ Dukes, Billy (March 23, 2016). "Brett Young Is Nothing But Honest on New 'Brett Young' EP". Taste of Country. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  6. ^ "Alumni". Irvine Valley College.
  7. ^ a b c Kinsler, Robert (August 13, 2008). "Orange Pop: Former pitcher Brett Young is an ace as a singer". Orange County Register.
  8. ^ Terry, Mike (June 4, 1999). "Calvary Chapel Has Rebels With a Cause - Baseball: Mossberg, Sterbens and Young, all headed to Mississippi, hope to lead Eagles to Division V title tonight". The Los Angeles Times.
  9. ^ Laffer, Lauren (April 6, 2016). "Introducing… Brett Young: Part 1". Sounds Like Nashville.
  10. ^ "Baseball Bulldog" (PDF). Fresno State University. February 10, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  11. ^ a b Parra, Monique (April 29, 2016). "Stagecoach Behind the Artist Brett Young". K-FROG. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  12. ^ Parton, Chris (May 12, 2016). "Who's New: Brett Young". Nash Country Daily. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  13. ^ "Brett Young Music". Myspace. January 2007.
  14. ^ "Make Believe". Spotify.
  15. ^ "Brett Young". Myspace. 23 December 2012.
  16. ^ "On Fire". Myspace. 14 February 2013.
  17. ^ "Broken Down". SoundCloud.
  18. ^ Thompson, Gayle (July 3, 2016). "Country Stardom Wasn't Brett Young's First Career Choice". The Boot.
  19. ^ "Big Machine Label Group Signs Brett Young". Big Machine Label Group. August 21, 2015. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  20. ^ Thompson, Gayle (April 15, 2016). "Story Behind the Song: Brett Young, 'Sleep Without You'". The Boot. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  21. ^ Asker, Jim (May 31, 2017). "'Case' Closed: Brett Young Earns First Country Airplay No. 1". Billboard.
  22. ^ "American certifications – Brett Young". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  23. ^ Freeman, Jon (December 7, 2018). "Brett Young Talks New Album 'Ticket to L.A.,' Gavin DeGraw Influence". Rolling Stone.
  24. ^ Freeman, Jon (December 12, 2018). "See Brett Young's Driving 'Here Tonight' on 'Today'". Rolling Stone.
  25. ^ Stefano, Angela (May 1, 2020). "Brett Young's 'Lady' Is a Song for His Daughter, and Her Mother". Taste of Country. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  26. ^ Parton, Chris (April 27, 2021). "Brett Young Announces 'Weekends Look a Little Different These Days'". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  27. ^ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (October 27, 2021). "Brett Young – 'Brett Young & Friends Sing The Christmas Classics' Review". Entertainment Focus.
  28. ^ Michaud, Sarah (February 26, 2018). "Brett Young Is Engaged to Taylor Mills: All the Details on His Romantic Proposal". People. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  29. ^ "Brett Young is Going to be a Dad! Country Star Expecting First Child with Wife Taylor".
  30. ^ Chiu, Melody; Michaud, Sarah (November 3, 2018). "Brett Young Marries Longtime Love Taylor Mills in Stunning California Wedding — All the Details". People. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  31. ^ Akoulitchev, Octavia; Michaud, Sarah (October 24, 2019). "Brett Young and Wife Taylor Welcome Daughter Presley Elizabeth: See Her First Photo". People. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  32. ^ VanHoose, Benjamin; Michaud, Sarah (January 27, 2021). "Brett Young and Wife Taylor Expecting Second Child: 'We Feel Very Blessed'". People. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  33. ^ Variety Staff (3 April 2017). "ACM Awards Winners 2017: Updated List". Variety. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  34. ^ "CMT Music Awards 2017 Winners: The Complete List". E! News. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  35. ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2017 Reveal Second Wave of Nominations". E! News. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  36. ^ "CMA Awards 2017: Miranda Lambert Tops List of Nominees". PEOPLE.com. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  37. ^ Reuter, Annie (26 March 2018). "Brett Young Named 2018 ACM Awards New Male Vocalist of the Year". Taste of Country.
  38. ^ Billboard Staff (April 17, 2018). "Billboard Music Awards 2018 Nominations: See the Full List". Billboard.
  39. ^ "CMT Music Awards 2018 Winners". CMT.com. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  40. ^ Houghton, Cillea (13 October 2018). "Brett Young's CMA Nomination is a 'Coming of Age' Moment". Taste of Country.
  41. ^ Moreau, Jordan (19 June 2019). "'Avengers: Endgame,' 'Riverdale,' 'Aladdin' Top 2019 Teen Choice Award Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 19 July 2019.

External links[edit]