Chris Young Honors Former High School Music Teacher With Grant

Chris Young gave his former music teacher a big surprise during the 2015 CMA Music Festival.

Young, a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., joined forces with the Farmers Insurance Thank America's Teachers initiative to thank Brenda Gregory, his former music teacher at Siegel High School, with a $2,500 grant to use in the classroom.

"She is so deserving," Young tells People. "Ms. Gregory has always been supportive of my musical side, both in and outside of school. I'm glad I had a chance to help recognize all her hard work."

The "Lonely Eyes" singer surprised Gregory while she was teaching a music lesson at Fan Fair X, an event that is part of the CMA Music Festival.

Young says that his best memory of Gregory was "getting the chance to go overseas" to sing in London with the Siegel High School choir, but he also says that the greatest lesson that his former teacher passed on to him is a pretty simple one: "Work hard, be patient."

Young recently released the music video for his newest song, “I’m Comin’ Over,” off of his upcoming studio album. The track is available for download on iTunes. A complete list of the singer's upcoming shows is available on his website.

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