Chris Stapleton, a name synonymous with modern country music, began his career by crafting hit songs for industry giants like George Strait and Luke Bryan. His immense talent as a songwriter eventually led to a stellar solo career, culminating in multiple Grammy Awards and widespread recognition.
Chris Stapleton Sweeps the 2024 ACM Awards
The latest news from the country music world is that Chris Stapleton has added five more ACM Awards to his impressive collection, bringing his total to 20. At 46 years old, Stapleton was honored with titles including Male Vocalist of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, while his 2023 album, Higher, took home Album of the Year. Not only was he recognized as the artist behind Higher, but also as one of its producers, alongside David Cobb and his wife, Morgane Stapleton.
Among his latest accolades, Stapleton received the prestigious Academy of Country Music’s Triple Crown Award, commemorating his past wins as New Male Vocalist of the Year in 2016, Male Vocalist of the Year in 2016, and Entertainer of the Year in 2023. Despite all the recognition, he humbly credited his mother during his acceptance speech, thanking her for always encouraging him to pursue his dreams.
Stapleton was nominated for Entertainer of the Year but lost to Lainey Wilson. However, his impressive achievements this year only further cement his status as one of country music’s most beloved and respected artists.
The Rise of Chris Stapleton: A Journey from Songwriter to Superstar
Chris Stapleton’s journey in the music industry began in Nashville, Tennessee, where he quickly became a sought-after songwriter for numerous renowned country artists. With his distinctive long hair and striking beard, Stapleton made his solo debut in 2015 with the album Traveller, which nearly swept the Country Music Association Awards. This album catapulted him to fame, followed by two more albums in 2017, From a Room: Volume 1 and From a Room: Volume 2, both of which received critical acclaim. To date, Stapleton has won 10 Grammys and holds the record for the most CMA Male Vocalist of the Year awards, with seven wins—more than any other artist in history.
Chris Stapleton’s Roots: From Kentucky to Nashville
Born Christopher Alvin Stapleton on April 15, 1978, in Lexington, Kentucky, Stapleton grew up surrounded by music. His mother, Carol Stapleton, worked at the local health department, and his father, Herbert Stapleton Jr., was a coal miner. Chris, along with his older brother Herbert and younger sister Melanie, was raised just outside Lexington. The family’s deep connection to the region’s rich musical heritage profoundly influenced Stapleton’s love for country music.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Stapleton once said, “It’s just part of the fabric of being from Kentucky.” The sounds of artists like Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam, and Patty Loveless were an integral part of his life, shaping his musical identity from an early age.
In high school, Stapleton was a popular and clean-cut teenager, involved in several sports at Johnson Central High School, where he graduated as class valedictorian in 1996. He later returned to his alma mater to perform a free concert and dedicate a new space on the school grounds for student performances, showcasing his deep connection to his roots.
The Beginning of a Songwriting Career
Stapleton’s journey into songwriting began after he realized it could be a viable profession. In a 2016 interview with CBS News, he recalled, “I always thought that George Strait was singing a song, he made it up, and that was the end of it. But the instant I found out that that could be a job, I thought, ‘That’s the job for me.’”
In 2001, just four days after moving to Nashville, Stapleton landed a publishing deal. Over the next decade, he wrote numerous hits for top country musicians, including George Strait’s “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright,” Kenny Chesney’s “Never Wanted Nothing More,” Luke Bryan’s “Drink a Beer,” and Thomas Rhett’s “Crash and Burn.” His songwriting credits also include songs for Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, Lee Ann Womack, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, and Tim McGraw.
In 2011, Adele recorded a cover of “If It Hadn’t Been for Love,” a song Stapleton co-wrote for his band, The Steeldrivers, as a bonus track for her acclaimed album 21.
From Bands to Solo Success
While continuing to build his reputation as a top songwriter, Stapleton began performing with a band. He co-founded The SteelDrivers, a progressive bluegrass group, with fellow songwriter Mike Henderson. Stapleton served as the lead singer and guitarist, and their debut album in 2008 earned a Grammy nomination. The band’s follow-up album, Reckless (2010), received two more Grammy nominations, solidifying their place in the bluegrass genre.
Despite their success, Stapleton left The SteelDrivers in 2010 and formed a Southern rock band, The Jompson Brothers, where he again took on the role of lead singer and guitarist. The band released one album in 2010 and toured for a few years before Stapleton decided to focus on his solo career.
Solo Career: Breakthrough and Recognition
In 2013, Stapleton signed with Mercury Nashville and released his first single, “What Are You Listening To?” Although the single didn’t gain much traction, Stapleton didn’t give up. He teamed up with producer Dave Cobb to record Traveller, his debut solo album, which was released in May 2015. The album received critical acclaim and gained widespread attention after Stapleton’s performance with Justin Timberlake at the Country Music Association Awards that November.
The performance, which included a duet of the George Jones classic “Tennessee Whiskey” and Timberlake’s “Drink You Away,” captivated audiences and propelled Traveller to the top of the Billboard 200 and the country albums chart. Stapleton’s solo version of “Tennessee Whiskey” became a massive hit, reaching No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Following the success of Traveller, Stapleton released From a Room: Volume 1 in 2017, which won Album of the Year at both the CMA Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards. Later that year, he released From a Room: Volume 2, further solidifying his status as one of country music’s top artists. His work on these albums earned him multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album, Best Country Song for “Broken Halos,” and Best Country Solo Performance for “Either Way.”
Continued Success and Recent Projects
Stapleton continued to solidify his place in country music history with his 2020 album Starting Over. The title track and the hit single “You Should Probably Leave” both topped the Hot Country Songs chart, earning Stapleton more accolades at the CMA, ACM, and Grammy Awards.
In 2022, Stapleton became the first artist to win Male Vocalist of the Year six times at the CMA Awards, surpassing legends like George Strait, Vince Gill, and Blake Shelton. He extended this record to seven wins in 2023, further cementing his legacy.
In September 2023, ESPN debuted a new version of Phil Collins’ hit song “In the Air Tonight,” featuring Stapleton and Snoop Dogg as the theme song for its Monday Night Football broadcasts. This collaboration was a precursor to Stapleton’s newest album, Higher, released in November 2023. The album’s lead single, “White Horse,” became a massive hit, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100—a career-best for Stapleton’s solo work—and winning two Grammy Awards in 2024.
A Tribute to Elton John
In 2018, Elton John personally invited Stapleton to record “I Want Love” for Restoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The album features contributions from other country music stars like Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton.
Family Life with Morgane Stapleton
Chris Stapleton met his wife, Morgane Hayes, in 2003 while they were both working as songwriters in Nashville. After months of friendly encounters, they eventually decided to write a song together, which turned into their first date. The couple married in 2007 and have been inseparable ever since. Morgane, a talented singer-songwriter herself, collaborates with Chris on nearly every aspect of his music.
The couple shares five children: son Waylon, born in 2009; daughter Ada, born in 2010; twins Macon and Samuel, born in 2018; and a son born in 2019, whose name remains private. The entire family often tours together, maintaining a close-knit bond on the road.
Chris Stapleton’s journey from a talented songwriter to a country music superstar is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication. With numerous awards and accolades under his belt, Stapleton continues to be a defining voice in country music.