Chris Stapleton
Biography
Christopher Alvin Stapleton, born April 15, 1978, in Lexington, Kentucky, is a highly acclaimed American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Raised in the small town of Staffordsville, he came from a family of coal miners. After graduating high school as valedictorian, Stapleton attended Vanderbilt University to study engineering but dropped out after a year to pursue his passion for music in Nashville.
Career Beginnings and Songwriting
In 2001, Stapleton signed with the publishing house Sea Gayle Music as a songwriter. He quickly became a prolific and sought-after writer in Nashville, penning over a thousand songs in a decade. He has co-written six number-one country hits, including "Never Wanted Nothing More" for Kenny Chesney, "Your Man" for Josh Turner, and "Drink a Beer" for Luke Bryan. His songwriting credits also include songs for notable artists like Adele, Taylor Swift, and Brad Paisley.
The SteelDrivers and The Jompson Brothers
Before his solo success, Stapleton was the frontman for the bluegrass band The SteelDrivers, which he co-founded in 2007. The band released two successful albums and earned two Grammy nominations before Stapleton left in 2010. After departing The SteelDrivers, he formed the Southern rock band The Jompson Brothers.
Solo Breakthrough with "Traveller"
Stapleton's solo career launched into the stratosphere with his debut album, "Traveller," released on May 5, 2015. Produced by Dave Cobb and Stapleton himself, the album was recorded at Nashville's historic RCA Studio A. A blend of old-school country, Southern rock, and bluegrass, "Traveller" received widespread critical acclaim. Following a memorable performance with Justin Timberlake at the 2015 CMA Awards, the album surged to number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It won Album of the Year at both the CMA and ACM Awards and earned a Grammy for Best Country Album. The album's hit single, a cover of "Tennessee Whiskey," became a diamond-certified hit.
Continued Success
Stapleton followed his debut with a series of successful albums. In 2017, he released two albums, "From A Room: Volume 1" and "From A Room: Volume 2." Both were recorded at RCA Studio A and received positive reviews. "From A Room: Volume 1" won the Grammy for Best Country Album and the CMA Award for Album of the Year. His fourth studio album, "Starting Over," was released in 2020 and won the Grammy for Best Country Album. His most recent album, "Higher," released in 2023, has also garnered awards, including a Grammy for the song "White Horse."
Musical Style and Acclaim
Stapleton's music is known for its blend of country, Southern rock, bluegrass, and blues, with his powerful and soulful tenor voice being a standout element. He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including 11 Grammy Awards, 19 CMA Awards, and 21 ACM Awards. He holds the record for the most wins in the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year category, with eight victories.
Personal Life
Stapleton is married to singer-songwriter Morgane Hayes, whom he met while they were both working at publishing houses in Nashville. They married in 2007 and have five children together. Morgane is an integral part of his creative process and a harmony vocalist in his band. The family resides in Nashville. Stapleton and his wife are also founders of the Outlaw State of Kind charitable fund.