Chris Young might not be a country music singer, if not for an early Christmas gift. It was the present he found under the tree, when he was younger, which inspired his now massively successful career.

“I actually got my first guitar as a Christmas gift,” Young reveals to Sony Music Nashville. “So, that’s one that’s always going to stand out in my mind as a gift that I picked up and was so excited to have. And then realized it was going to take me a really long time to learn to play it. But, it’s obviously brought me a lot of joy over the years being able to sit down and pick up an instrument and just sing and play. So, that was pretty special.”

Young can certainly afford to buy nice Christmas presents for his friends and family now, especially after his recent successes. The Tennessee native recently celebrated an all-genre No. 1 album — a rare feat in country music — with his Famous Friends record.

Famous Friends includes his collaboration with Kane Brown on the title track, along with duets with Lauren Alaina and Mitchell Tenpenny, Young previously praised everyone who joined him on his latest record.

“I know I’ve said it before, but I honestly can’t say it enough – I am so excited to be releasing my new album,” Young said of Famous Friends. “There are so many incredibly talented artists, songwriters and producers – all friends of mine – who helped make this album possible. Having friends share their talents as collaborators, songwriters, producers and more, it’s only natural to call the album ‘Famous Friends.’”

The title track of Famous Friends also was named the most-played country song by Billboard.

It’s incredible when you get to write/record/produce a song that makes people want to sing along with you at concerts and becomes the most played Billboard country song of the year! I couldn’t be any happier that “Famous Friends” will go into the record books for this! @kanebrown pic.twitter.com/HVsGFNU8od

— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) December 7, 2021

“It’s incredible when you get to write/record/produce a song that makes people want to sing along with you at concerts and becomes the most played Billboard country song of the year!” Young gushed on social media. “I couldn’t be any happier that “Famous Friends” will go into the record books for this!”

All of Young’s music, including Famous Friends, can be found at ChrisYoungCountry.com.