Chris Young’s father suffers a heart attack

Chris Young’s stepfather – whose name is Michael Harris and who means so much to the singer that he calls him Dad – suffered a heart attack on Saturday (June 29). Young was on the road at the time, playing his show in Greeley, Colorado, as planned, but not without posting a thank you message that his father is OK.

“I am at a loss for words,” he wrote in an Instagram post, sharing a carousel of footage from the show.

“On a day when my dad had a heart attack, you guys cheered me up. I love country music fans. I’m glad I played,” he continued. “I’m glad my dad is OK. Love to all of you.”

Who is Chris Young’s father?

Michael Harris proposed to Young’s mother on Valentine’s Day one year during his childhood, and they have had a strong father-son bond ever since. In 2021, Young bought his father a new truck for Christmas and his 2024 album Young Love & Saturday Nights includes a track called “Gettin’ Older,” which talks about their close relationship.

• Young’s father had a history of health problems and suffered his first heart attack in the mid-2000s.
• In 2009, Harris was diagnosed with lung cancer.
• “They cut out a third of his lung and put him through chemotherapy. He’s doing really well. He’s doing great,” Young said about a year and a half later. “But I don’t think I’ve ever seen him really depressed during all of this… Every day he gets up, it’s a good day, and that’s something I’m really going to pass on to everybody.”

Carena Liptak is an associate editor and staff writer at Taste of Country. She specializes in breaking country music news, interviews, and lists. She’s particularly partial to sad songs – check out her roundup of the 50 saddest country songs of all time!