Multiple-time chart-topping, two-decade veteran and Murfreesboro native country performer Chris Young, 38, was arrested Monday at the Dawg House bar in Midtown.
He was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and assault on an officer, according to court records filed Tuesday morning.
Young was at Tin Roof on Demonbreun Street about 8:30 p.m. Monday when agents from the Alcoholic Beverage Commission arrived to do a compliance check, according to an arrest affidavit.
“When we walked into the bar, a man sitting at the bar, later found to be Mr. Young, had his ID in his hand above his head,” the affidavit said.
An agent approached Young, took his ID and scanned it to check its validity. Once agents determined the ID to be accurate, they walked away.
“Mr. Young started asking questions that were answered at that time and then began video recording us,” the affidavit said. “We left the bar after finishing our check and went to Dawg House next door to continue compliance checks.”
According to the affidavit, Young and several friends followed the agents to Dawg House. The agents checked the bar’s credentials and began to leave when Young approached them.
“While walking out the door Mr. Young put his hands out to stop me from leaving the bar and struck me on the shoulder,” the affidavit said. “I then pushed Mr. Young to create distance since I had no idea of who Mr. Young was or what he had.”
Patrons at the bar then got up and got between the agent and Young “and began yelling and screaming,” the affidavit said.
Another agent intervened, giving Young orders, the affidavit said. Two agents then detained Young to put him in handcuffs.
The affidavit said, “While all agents were trying to leave the bar, multiple people who were with Mr. Young started following agents and making the incident hostile.”
According to the affidavit, Young had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and watery eyes.
Young is preparing to release his most ambitious project in his 18-year mainstream country music career, the 18-track “Young Love & Saturday Nights,” which is still due for release on Mar. 22 from Sony Music Nashville.
This album follows recent success, including a pair of collaborative No.1 singles — 2021’s double-platinum-selling “Famous Friends” (with Kane Brown) and its follow-up, “At The End of a Bar” (with Mitchell Tenpenny).
As well, 2022 saw Young nominated for seven Academy of Country Music Awards, the most of any artist that year.
“It’s a huge honor and one of the most special days of my life,” Young told The Tennessean. “I’ve never been the ‘most nominated’ at anything so far in my career.”
Young has also been in the news for his dramatic 60-pound weight loss journey during the past two years.
“This year has been dedicated to a lot of work on myself. Music wise AND in the gym,” he captioned a social media post following the weight loss process he started in early fall 2022.
To PeopleYoung noted, “I’ve been cooking my own food a lot more. I wasn’t taking the time to [cook for myself]. I’m also working out a little bit more.”
Monday evening’s arrest was not the only time Young had been at a nightlife establishment late in downtown Nashville. On Friday Jan. 19, the performer posted a video to TikTok showing him spotted at the Bootleggers Inn bar at 207 Broadway.
The cause? An impromptu acoustic set including a rendition of Young’s 2009 hit “Gettin’ You Home,” plus “Famous Friends” and 2013’s “Aw Naw.”
Though the bar is sparsely populated, fans of the performer commented, “Could you imagine casually walking in for a drink and bam! There is Chris Young serenading you!”
This is a breaking story. Updates are forthcoming.
