Chris Young finally embarks on a Christmas tour

Considering how Chris Young feels about the holiday season, it's surprising that the country singer-songwriter is on his initial "It Must Be Christmas" tour.

"Christmas is probably my favorite holiday," Young said while calling from Nashville. "Music was always heavily tied to the spirit of the season for me, so I can’t wait to celebrate that feeling with everyone out on the road this year."

The jaunt, with a stop Thursday at the Paramount Theatre, features songs from his holiday release, "It Must Be Christmas," which dropped in 2016.

Young, 40, with his deep baritone, is a natural for Christmas since holiday tunes are ideal for crooners. Young impresses while delivering ballads such as "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The First Noel" and "Silent Night."

The classic Christmas songs fall right into Young's wheelhouse. "It Must Be Christmas" also includes some fresh material. "Under the Weather," "There's a New Kid in Town" and the title track sound like potential future classics.

"I also have two new Christmas songs," Young said. "There's 'Christmas Ain’t Christmas' and 'Silver Bells.' I’ll also be playing a few of my hits."

Young has quite a few songs that have charted in his career. "Voices," Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song)," "The Man I Want to Be," "Tomorrow" and "You" each hit the top of the country charts. "Aw Now," "Who I Am with You" and "Lonely Eyes" each landed in the top five of the country charts.

"It's a good thing to be in this situation," Young said about having a slew of familiar songs at his disposal. “The songs have added up over the years."

The music bug was passed on to Young by his grandfather, Richard Yates, who was a performer on the "Louisiana Hayride," a country music show which launched some of the great country and rock artists, including a very young Elvis Presley.

Young's father didn't seek out a career in music. However, Young, who became a sensation in 2006 after winning season four of the reality singing competition show "Nashville Star," has enjoyed a consistently solid career.

Young effectively straddles the line between traditional country and the pop side of Music City. It's not easy to find and keep that balance, but that's part of Young's appeal.

"I love to write," Young said. "That's a passion of mine. I'm writing all of the time. That's the way I express myself."

Young has been remarkably consistent. His work was recognized by the Grand Ole Opry, which inducted him into its hallowed halls in 2017.

"When I was a kid growing up in Murfreesboro (Tennessee) and listening to the Opry, I never dreamed that I would be invited to be a member," Young said. "There is nothing like being part of that institution. Being inducted was incredible."

Young can't help but look back fondly at his Grand Ole Opry debut.

"It's something I'll never forget," Young said. "I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I was in a room tuning my guitar and I found out that I was going on. All of a sudden I was onstage, and well, there's nothing like playing the Grand Ole Opry."

It was evident early in his career that Young picked the right vocation.

"I knew this was what I should do from the very first time I stepped onstage with a band," Young said. "It was all about music for me. I loved music and still do. I never questioned what I wanted to do for a living, and I'm glad since I'm doing what I'm meant to do."

Unlike many of his peers, Young keeps his personal life to himself.

“I've always kept that separate," Young said. "Certain relationships have inspired songs, but I've never been one to just talk about my personal life. For me, it's always been about the music and it continues to be about the music. But it's good to take what I've experienced and put it into song since it comes from a real place, and I think that's always good for a songwriter."

Young has the tunes but he also has the voice, which is ideal for many Christmas classics.

"People can recognize my voice, which is a good thing," Young said. "I'm fortunate to have this voice."

His voice, songwriting skills and his many friendships have buoyed his career. Young has collaborated with such recording artists as Mitchell Tenpenny, Patty Loveless, the Doobie Brothers, Tracy Lawrence and Kane Brown.

"I've been very lucky to have such great relationships," Young said. "I've met some amazing people who wanted to work with me. I'm so thankful for how things have turned out."

The prolific Young, who has released 10 albums in 19 years, is happily promoting "I Didn't Come Here to Leave," which is one of his most consistent releases.

“At this point in my career, I hope someone listens to this album and says ‘Wow, he dug deep,'” Young said. "It’s wild to step back and see a really long list of things I’ve gotten to do already. But I sure didn’t come here to leave."

Young certainly plans to stick around for awhile.