Chris Young Cuts ‘There’s a New Kid in Town’ With Alan Jackson’s Help [Listen]
Chris Young just put out his first Christmas album, It Must Be Christmas, and he pulled out all the stops when it comes to quality collaborations. Young included the Alan Jackson original tune “There’s a New Kid in Town” on the record, and rather than just singing it alone, he brought in Jackson himself to add his signature sound to the track.
Young’s classic country leanings blend well with Jackson’s iconic vocals, creating a unique new version of the 1993 song. It originally appeared on Jackson’s first holiday album, Honkey Tonk Christmas, as a duet with Keith Whitley, who co-wrote the tune. It recounts the birth of Christ in a unique way, bringing to the ancient tale a traditionally country style of storytelling.
Young's holiday album came out on Oct. 14 and also includes tracks featuring Brad Paisley (“The First Noel”) and Boyz II Men (“Silent Night”). Young says the album is something he’s been wanting to do for a long time, and that he loved bringing together a couple of originals with traditional songs.
"Christmas is one of my favorite times of year and it was hard to narrow down the list of songs for this record. I’m excited to share my own versions of many of the standards I sang as a kid every year at Christmas, plus I had the opportunity to write a couple of original songs to celebrate the season,” he explains in a press release.
Young has also shared that his grandmother recently passed away, but that she would’ve loved his collaboration with Paisley.
“‘The First Noel’ just turned out so beautifully on this record. I couldn’t have asked more from a collaboration with Brad,” he said, thinking about this upcoming holiday without her. “I think that all those memories that she gave me and my sister and my family … are just special. She’ll be missed, but she’ll be remembered.”
Chris Young Will Be Missing His Grandma This Christmas
See Country Stars With Santa