Kentucky native Chris Stapleton has become one of country music’s most celebrated artists, earning a dozen Grammy Awards along with an impressive collection of CMA and ACM honors.
Born on April 15, 1978, in Lexington, Kentucky, he was raised in the small Johnson County community of Staffordsville. Stapleton comes from a long line of coal miners as both his father and grandfather worked in the mines. His father passed away in 2013, and Stapleton has said that while recording much of “Traveller,” the CMA Award-winning Album of the Year that launched his meteoric rise, he often thought about the kind of music his dad would have loved.
That personal connection helped shape the soulful, roots-driven sound that has made Stapleton one of the most influential and admired figures in modern country music.
So much so that Stapleton’s performance of the national anthem at Super Bowl LVII in 2023 became an instant cultural moment. His raw, soulful, guitar‑only rendition was widely praised as one of the greatest in Super Bowl history. The performance moved players, coaches, and viewers alike, showcasing the power of his gritty, unmistakable voice.
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Here are five things to know about Kentucky native Chris Stapleton:
Chris Stapleton was his high school valedictorian
Nov 8, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Chris Stapleton receives his Male Vocalist of the Year award during the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. Mandatory Credit: Wade Payne-USA TODAY NETWORK
After graduating as his high school class’s valedictorian, Stapleton studied engineering at Vanderbilt University for a year before moving back to Eastern Kentucky to study and work in Morehead. A few years later, he moved back to Nashville and landed a songwriting contract within a week of his arrival.
Chris Stapleton has written 5 No. 1 songs for other musicians
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Chris Stapleton sings the national anthem before Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Stapleton has had a hand in writing five No. 1 songs for other artists, including Luke Bryan’s “Drink a Beer,” George Strait’s “Love’s Gonna Make it Alright” and Kenny Chesney’s five-week No. 1, “Never Wanted Nothing More.” He has also written for Adele, Alison Krauss, Joss Stone, Ashley Monroe, Sheryl Crow, Thomas Rhett, Josh Turner, Lee Ann Womack, and others.
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Chris Stapleton played with two band before his solo career
Chris Stapleton sings a new song, “Bad As I Used to Be†as the opening song to a sold-out crowd at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Before releasing his breakout solo album “Traveller,” Stapleton spent several years honing his sound as a member of two bands: the Grammy‑nominated bluegrass group The SteelDrivers and the Southern rock outfit The Jompson Brothers. His time with The SteelDrivers earned him critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, while The Jompson Brothers allowed him to explore a grittier, electric edge — experiences that ultimately shaped the powerful, genre‑blending style he carried into his solo career.
Chris Stapleton’s personal life
Songwriter/Artist of the Year Chris Stapleton and Morgane Stapleton walk the red carpet at The Twelve Thirty Club in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.
He met his wife, Morgane, while they were working as songwriters at neighboring publishing houses on Nashville’s Music Row. The two have since become frequent duet partners, sharing the stage on “Saturday Night Live,” “The Tonight Show,” the CMA Awards, the ACM Awards, and more.
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Chris Stapleton’s Traveller whiskey line
Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley and Grammy-winning singer and Kentucky native Chris Stapleton have launched Traveller Whiskey Full Proof, the first extension of their popular collaboration.
Stapleton partnered with Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley to launch Traveller Whiskey, a 90 proof blended American whiskey. Known as “Blend No. 40,” it is designed to be “approachable and easy-drinking, featuring tasting notes of vanilla, caramel, oak, and light spice,” according to Buffalo Trace. In early 2026, the duo dropped Traveller Whiskey Full Proof, the first extension of its popular collaboration, at 121 proof.
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“Prior to collaborating with Harlen Wheatley and Buffalo Trace Distillery on Traveller Whiskey, I generally leaned toward higher-proof and barrel-strength bottles,” Stapleton said in a news release. “Needless to say, when we decided to experiment with a higher-proof expression, I was excited to see where that could land. One night after a show, we had two potential Full Proof contenders backstage with the band and some friends. Everyone agreed 121 was the clear winner … I think Traveller Whiskey Full Proof is one of those moments where more of a good thing is definitely a good thing.”
Reach lifestyle and entertainment reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Five things to know about Kentucky native, singer Chris Stapleton
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