For many people, Chris Stapleton’s name might be a new addition to their list of favorite Country artists, but his voice and his resume tell a different story. Though relatively new to the spotlight, this ain’t his first rodeo.
Before Stapleton’s deep, dark vocals cracked through speakers with “Nobody to Blame,” he’d already made a name for himself in Nashville. After spending most of his life in Kentucky, Stapleton transplanted to Tennessee in 2001 and, according to gossip, had a contract in a matter of days. During his first decade in Music City, Stapleton wrote hits for everyone from Adele to Kenny Chesney. He even penned a George Strait song which, in my estimate, makes him as Country as you can get. Between all that writing, he also had time to spend two years fronting The SteelDrivers, who have brought their brand of Bluegrass through Greater Cincinnati several times.
There’s more to Stapleton than just sheer writing talent, though. There’s a mystique that few performers manage to pull off these days. With his height, long beard and longer hair, he looks, acts and sounds like a true modern cowboy in a world of wannabes. He comes off like a man Big Hoss and Little Joe would gladly ride beside. We already know George Strait has an appreciation for the new star, but there’s no doubt the likes of Chris LeDoux would be equally impressed with him. Adding to that larger-than-life persona, Stapleton recently performed alongside Willie Nelson at Farm Aid. What’s more Country than working to save the legacy of family farms? Seems like Stapleton isn’t just the hero we deserve, but the exact hero we need right now, too.
Now that Farm Aid has passed, Stapleton will finish off 2018 with a bang. Last year’s From a Room: Volume 2 and the single “Broken Halos” picked up a total of five Country Music Award nominations, so it’s likely he’ll be taking take home some trophies at the November ceremony.
Stapleton is currently on tour with another Country music legend, Marty Stuart; their stop at Riverbend has long been sold out (like most Stapleton-headlined shows these days), so here’s hoping you know somebody who knows somebody.
