Chris Young Counts Down His 10 No. 1s At “Losing Sleep” Celebration

Pictured (L-R): Corey Crowder, Chris Destafano, Chris Young, and Josh Hoge. Photo: Steve Lowry

“We have no idea if we’ll ever get to stand with a microphone in front of people at a No. 1 party again,” said a heartfelt Chris Young at his latest No. 1 party for “Losing Sleep,” which marked his 10th chart-topping single. “I didn’t think I’d get to do my first one, and I had two No. 37s in there, and a No. 52 with an Ashley Gorley song—that takes talent with an Ashley Gorley song.

“Being able to do something different, get out there and take a leap [with ‘Losing Sleep’], is great. We left the studio thinking we had a great song. All of the other stuff from that process to standing on this stage tonight is because of [everyone in the audience], so thank you very much.”

BMI’s Bradley Collins hosted Young’s event at the Tin Roof (nicknamed the “Ten” Roof for the 10th No. 1 song) for his writer Young.

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, who’s No. 1 parties are sponsored by First Tennessee Bank, offered remarks on songwriter Chris DeStefano’s 15th No. 1 song and producer Corey Crowder’s fourth No. 1 as a producer.

“I respect the heck out of all you guys,” said DeStefano to his co-writers and producer, and to Sony Nashville staff. “There is nothing small about achievements like this and we don’t take it for granted for a second.”

SESAC’s Shannan Hatch thanked Bose for backing the music rights organization’s No. 1 parties before congratulating her 2016 Songwriter of the Year Josh Hoge on his latest No. 1.

“I’d like to thank Randy Goodman and his entire [Sony] staff,” said Hoge. “You guys have completely changed my life and my son’s life. I think we’re going to do this a lot…I live and breathe music and I get to make music with my best friends.”

Sony/ATV publisher Josh Van Valkenburg noted that Sony/ATV controlled 100 percent of the writers’ share for “Losing Sleep,” and poignantly offered comments on Young, who has had so many cuts on his own catalog.

“So often artists have a hard time cutting a song written by another artist,” said Van Valkenburg of Young. “This guy is getting cuts not only on himself but on other artists—his peers in music. That shows the respect he has as a songwriter as well as an artist.”

Producer Crowder said, “This does not get old. Thanks to my wife for putting up long hours; we put in a lot of hours in the studio for this.”

Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville staff Matt Galvin, John Zarling, Ken Robold, Paige Altone, Liz Sledge, Nicole Walden, Chris Young, Steve Hodges, RG Curtis, Lauren Thomas, Randy Goodman, Dennis Reese, Jim Catino. Photo: Steve Lowry

MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson offered No. 1 Challenge Coins for the writers and artist for the top achievement on his CountryBreakout Chart. The CMA’s Brandi Simms offered the creators their CMA Medallions and CRB’s Kurt Johnson noted the title has achieved 9.64 million in total audience impressions to date.

Young, who is a brand new member of the Grand Ole Opry and a headliner with 18 sold-out consecutive shows on the first leg of his 2018 world tour (coming to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 18), is also a nominee for the final voting for ACM Male Vocalist of the Year through Wednesday (March 14).

Chairman/CEO of Sony Music Nashville Randy Goodman then took the stage to introduce a slew of his staff to bestow surprise awards to Young, who he touted as the top nominee for ACM Male Vocalist of the Year.

“Chris is so deserving of this [ACM Male Vocalist] nomination and award,” said Goodman. “He has patiently—year by year—put one foot in front of the other, putting his heart in his work. I covet your votes for Male Vocalist of the Year for Chris Young because he deserves it, damn it!”

To wrap the ceremony RCA Nashville’s Ken Robold, Dennis Reese, Liz Sledge and Matt Galvin offered remarks. The latter two promo reps were involved in every No. 1 Young has charted, and joked about those two No. 37s. Plaques were presented for “Losing Sleep,” in addition to a surprise for Young: a 10 No. 1 plaque and a plaque commemorating the double Platinum sales of one of those, “I’m Comin’ Over.”

“Thank you to Corey,” said Young of his producer as he thanked his writer friends, label, manager at Fitzgerald Hartley and business management offices at Huskins Harris. “Thank you for going to find new sounds when I’m on the road, spending hours looking through files. A lot of people don’t think that’s a big deal, but sometimes it’s all those pieces that add up—it’s the fine tuning.

“We wanted to do something different for this No. 1,” said Young in conclusion as he welcomed his band on stage. “It’s not fun if you can’t tell the story…We’re going to do something we’ve never done and play all the No. 1’s start to finish, so get ready!”

Chris Young No. 1 Singles
“Getting’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)”*
“The Man I Want To Be”
“Voices”*
“Tomorrow”*
“You”*
“Who I Am With You”
“I’m Comin’ Over”*
“Think Of You” with Cassadee Pope*
“Sober Saturday Night” featuring Vince Gill*
“Losing Sleep”*
*co-written by Chris Young

Pictured (L-R): Front Row: Sony Music Nashville’s Randy Goodman, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Chris DeStefano, Chris Young, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg; Middle Row: Corey Crowder, BMI’s Bradley Collins; Back Row: Sony Music Nashville’s Ken Robold, Sony Music Nashville’s Steve Hodges, Josh Hoge, Sony Music Nashville’s Dennis Reese. Photo: Steve Lowry