Genre:Country
At 6’ 6” it’s hard to imagine Brett Young late at night in a recording studio strumming chords and writing songs. An athlete all his life, Young possesses a keen look in his eyes – an intensity – akin to a pitcher out on the mound, on any team, from a nine-year-old kid in the Babe Ruth league all the way up to a million dollar ace in the majors. It’s a sure fit for the singer/songwriter who sidestepped a Major League Baseball fast track to focus on his budding creativity.
Young’s soulful vocals and impassioned lyrics are derived from the self-discipline learned from years on the baseball field. When it comes to Brett Young, it isn’t so far from a pitcher’s mound to a performer’s stage, and it doesn’t really matter what kind of Big Show you’re talking about. One pass through the California native’s current sample of songs proves he is in love with love.
“Everyone leaves a trail of ‘almosts’ and bittersweet memories behind on the road to ‘the one’,” says Brett. “It happened to me on my journey—it happens to everyone. Now I use those moments when I write music. I guess it is fortunate for me that people most easily relate to heartbreak. I’m an over-emotional, hopeless romantic who feels everything, and that shows in my songs.”
A sentimental dreamer, Young makes love look like an art form with songs like “Left Side of Leaving,” “Sleep Without You” and ”You Ain’t Here to Kiss Me.” His blue-eyed gaze pierces through the audience, understanding each person’s point of view and displaying an unnerving vulnerability as he introduces his music throughout Nashville.
“I grew up with Marvin Gaye, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain—soulful and emotionally expressive singers. I like that the emotion carries the songs, where the music is almost secondary,” he says. “Van Morrison’s ‘Crazy Love’—that’s just timeless. They influence me; as a songwriter and a performer, I want to connect like they did. And when your audience feels like they can relate, then you have something much more special than a show, or a sale. You have a connection…you truly have a fan.”
His Republic Nashville introduction follows a string of previously released recordings that gathered a cult following encompassed in “Caliville” – the world between Young’s SoCal roots and Music City coming-of-age. Young’s songwriting credits are extensive, having his music appear on shows like Chrisley Knows Best (USA), Real World (MTV) and Kourtney and Kim Take New York (E!). Now in the studio with GRAMMY and CMA Award winning producer Dann Huff, Young is charming his way track by track with an eclectic mix sure to carve a path in 2016.