Chris Janson has one epic collaboration coming out this week. The Grand Ole Opry member announces the release of “21 Forever,” out on Friday, May 5, featuring both country music legend, Dolly Parton, and rocker Slash.
“I’m so thrilled to announce, that two global Icons have joined me in song, for my absolute biggest collaboration to date,’ Janson says. “Dolly and Slash, it doesn’t get any BIGGER than that. I’m incredibly humbled and grateful for these two. Hope you all enjoy ‘21 Forever.’”
Janson wrote the song with Tom Douglas and Tommy Cecil, about the realization that growing up is inevitable, and it’s impossible to stay young forever.
This is going to be EPIC. @janson_chris | @DollyParton | @Slash#JansonDollySlash #21Forever #Friday pic.twitter.com/sjhsQkCbFA
— Chris Janson (@janson_chris) May 2, 2023
“21 Forever” is from Janson’s forthcoming new album, out this summer, marking his first release on Big Machine Records. He previously released “All I Need Is You,” also from his new project, this one written about his wife, Kelly.
“There are so many things we all want,” the Missouri native says. “We’ve all gotten caught up in the biggest buck of the season, the newest Chevrolet, or whatever’s caught our eye— and that’s half the fun of living. But when you strip it back, when you look at what really matters, it comes down to that one ride-or-die person who believes in you and your dream, no matter what happens. I’m blessed because my person is my wife, my manager, and my best friend.”
Janson recently spoke out about his early years in music, and the harsh words one music teacher told him.
“When I was a kid, I was in music class and I flunked in music,” Janson told Audacy’s John & Tammy in the Morning. “This is going to blow you away — the music teacher told me I was ‘stupid.’ She used the word, ‘stupid,’ because I couldn’t read music and I still can’t read music to this day.”
The negativity ultimately fueled Janson to make his music his way, without regard to what other people might think.
“Something I don’t like in general is when people make rules for other people just because they can,” he said. “Everybody has their own way of doing things in life. Whether you write songs different, whether you sing different, whether you look, talk , walk, act, wherever you come from different — everybody’s different, man.”
Janson has plenty of shows on the calendar over the summer. Pre-save “21 Forever” here. Find all of Janson’s music and upcoming shows at ChrisJanson.com.
