The rise of ACM Top New Male Vocalist nominee Chris Janson has been one of the feel-good stories of Country Music in the past few years. A native of Perryville, Missouri, the singer – who once lived in his car in between performances on Nashville’s historic Broadway – has become one of the most respected singer-songwriters in the format today.
His debut Warner Brothers single, “Buy Me A Boat,” hit the top of the Mediabase charts – and has since been certified Platinum for sales of over one million copies, establishing the singer as a force to be reckoned with inside the format. The song – and album of the same title – were named to many 2015 “Best of” lists, including both the Billboard Top Country Singles and Albums of 2015 critic’s list. Janson scored on the same list again in 2016 with the heartfelt ballad “Holdin’ Her,” which currently sits inside the Top 20.
Yet, Janson isn’t solely defined by his own hits. He has penned top-ten hits for Tim McGraw (“How I’ll Always Be,” “Truck Yeah”), and LOCASH (“I Love This Life”). Janson also had three of his compositions included on It’s About Time, the latest album from Hank Williams, Jr. – and even lends his signature harmonica licks on the set, as well.
But, where Chris Janson’s star perhaps shines the brightest is on the stage. A road warrior, Janson played well over 275 dates in 2016, and his energetic stage show caught the attention of industry website Sounds Like Nashville, who praised the singer’s September show in Knoxville. Janson’s itinerary included one sold-out performance after another in 2016, and he looks to kick things up a notch in 2017, as he joins the Sam Hunt tour, as well as his own solo sets. Janson also joins Tim McGraw and Faith Hill for select dates on the Soul2Soul Tour.
One other place that has become something of a regular home for Chris Janson has been the stage of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry. The singer has performed there close to two hundred times in his career, and looks forward to each appearance there. No matter where you see him in concert, there’s one thing that is certain. Chris Janson makes the most of each and every opportunity to shine – and the fans, as well as the industry, are taking notice.
“I like to play any size venue, any size town,” he says. “I love my work, and the more that I can add to that schedule, the better.”
