Chris Stapleton: Access All Areas

Perseverance. Raw Talent. A deep love for country and blues music. That is a snippet of Chris Stapleton’s rise to country fame.

Today, he is recognised as one of the most powerful voices in country music, with a sound that blends traditional country, blues, and Southern rock with numerous accolades tied to his name… but, as is the way in Nashville, his journey to the top wasn’t always as smooth as Tennessee Whiskey.

The Early Days & Behind The Mic

Born and raised in Kentucky in April 1978, Chris Stapleton was surrounded by a family of coal miners and grew up playing football in the small town of Staffordsville. It wasn’t until 96′ that he moved across state to the home of country music, but not to pursue those soulful Southern tones we all know and love. He originally enrolled in Vanderbilt University to study biomedical engineering, but that soon ended when he met a salaried songwriter – so he swapped the screws for scribbles, signed with a publishing house where songwriting became the next decade of his life.

He earned a reputation as a diverse, productive and creative songwriter, writing more than one thousand songs over those 10 years! It wasn’t until 2007 that he formed a bluegrass group, the SteelDrivers, to actually perform all those tracks. It was in the same year that he married his singer-songwriter sweetheart, Morgane Hayes, who now have five children together in Nashville.

Back to the music, Stapleton went on to form a new band but finally made the decision to go solo in 2010. A decision we are forever grateful for, because what comes next is truly something special.

The Year That Changed Everything

2015 was the year that really changed things for this aspiring country star. Stapleton released his debut album ‘Traveller’, inspired by a road trip in Mexico with his wife, following the death of his father. The album included the track ‘Tennessee Whiskey’, a song that would live on in people’s radios and karaoke booths across the world, for many years to come.

It was also a big year in the awards scene with him securing Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards. He also had another career-defining moment at the show, performing with pop icon Justin Timberlake. An electrifying rendition of “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Drink You Away” introduced Stapleton to a wider audience and led to an explosion in album sales… not to mention also walking away with Best Country Album at the Grammy’s.

Soaring To Music City Stardom

Making it in music city is no easy feat, even for the likes of Chris Stapleton, it took a humble nine years of immersing himself in Nashville to be seen for the superstar talent he is.

Over the course of the next five years, since his debut album rocket-shipped to success, Stapleton would share the songwriting spotlight with the likes of John Mayer, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. He also collected numerous awards, and released his second highly anticipated album ‘Starting Over’ in 2020, further showcasing his incredible range. Critics and fans praised Stapleton’s ability to evolve while maintaining his signature soulful voice and honest songwriting. The album became Billboard’s Top Country Album of the decade.

He stunned audiences yet again in 2023, with his soulful rendition of the national anthem at the Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona. A truly iconic moment:

It was also in 2023 that he released his fifth studio album, ‘Higher’, recorded in the legendary RCA Studio A on music row. The 14-song track list includes the iconic ‘Think I’m In Love With You’ and ‘White Horse’, which featured in the film ‘The Long Ranger’ – along with dusting up two Grammy’s and two CMA awards. It’s also nominated for ‘Single of the year’ at the 2025 ACM awards, going platinum in New Zealand and the states.

On The Road

It’s official. Securing tickets to a Chris Stapleton show is more difficult than finding a country song without ‘whiskey’ in it.

He was the opening act for an Eric Church tour back in 2015 , little did he know he’d be selling out stadium shows himself a little further down the dusrty road! His All-American Roadshow kicks off stateside in June 2025, including stops in Charlottseville, MSG and Hollywood. He travelled across the pond with this tour back in Autumn, hitting up and selling out in Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin, Birmingham, and London.

But the biggest news of the summer? Chris Stapleton is hitting the road with the King of Country, George Strait, for five epic stadium shows- joined by special guest Parker McCollum. This trio in the summer heat? We’re not sure we’re ready for it!

Behind the mic fun facts:

• He’s kept a chair that was in his childhood home all this time, now known as his ‘guitar chair’ – which he cannot live without!
• He owns a 1964 Jazz Master, that was a gift from his wife, which is always in the recording room
• He still owns the 1979 Jeep Cherokee where he wrote the song ‘Traveller’ – whilst road tripping with his wife!
• In Eastern Kentucky (where he grew up) Knives were given as a sign of respect, which is why his late father gifted him his set going back generations
• He keeps an historic US flag in his office which was passed on from his grandfather who was a soldier in WWII
• He owns a Charlie 1 Horse hat that was made in the late 70’s that he’s nearly worn-out, which has become his staple stage hat!

Chris Stapleton’s rise from a behind-the-scenes songwriter to one of the biggest names in country music is a reminder that true talent and hard work will always find their moment in the spotlight… the true definition of the American Dream.

Long may this Kentucky born powerhouse produce the most raw, honest sound and long may he have a killer beard to go along with it!