Chris Young‘s eponymous debut album came out in 2006. The record failed to produce any major radio hits, but by his sophomore The Man I Want To Be album, released in 2009, Young had hit his stride. That project included his first No. 1 hit, “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song),” followed by “The Man I Want To Be” and “Voices,” which also landed at the top of the charts as well.

While Young has worked hard throughout his lengthy career — perhaps harder than most — the 37-year-old now says he never predicted that he would still be having No. 1 hits, successful albums and sold-out tours, so many years later.

“I’m incredibly grateful for anybody that’s followed my music, bought my music, streamed my music, bought a ticket, told me they liked something I did, did anything and everything,” Young tells his record label. “You’re not supposed to have a 17-year career in music, and I’m not done yet. So it’s pretty wild. I signed my record deal when I was 20. So sometimes it’s just kind of tough to wrap my head around.”

Like every other artist, Young has had highs and lows, successes and struggles. But for him, the good far outweighs the bad.

“The biggest thing I can say is I’m just really grateful that I’ve been around this long and also really happy that it has not been a difficult 17 years,” Young says. “There are moments that have been difficult, but it’s been pretty damn awesome.“

Young recently celebrated another No. 1 hit with “At The End of a Bar,” his collaboration with Mitchell Tenpenny. His latest single, “Looking For You,” from his forthcoming new album, is rapidly climbing the charts.

“This actually just came from a place of, sometimes you’re looking for love and can’t find it,” Young recently explained to Everything Nash and other outlets, during a virtual media event. “And then sometimes you’re like, ‘I give up,’ and it just smacks you in the face like a freight train out of nowhere. And I think a lot of people have been through that before where they just see somebody walk in, even if they weren’t looking for anyone, they just find someone and it’s like, ‘This is perfect.’ And so that was kind of the genesis of the idea of this song.”

“Looking For You” and all of Young’s music, as well as a list of his upcoming shows, can be found at at ChrisYoungCountry.com.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Monarch Publicity / Jeff Johnson