Chris Stapleton is a certified hit machine.
Before he became one of country music’s most soulful voices, he was already a songwriting powerhouse behind the scenes in Nashville. After moving there from his hometown of Paintsville, Kentucky, in 2001, Stapleton signed a publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music, and it didn’t take long for him to start making his mark.
In those early years, he wrote hundreds of songs for other artists, quietly becoming one of the most in-demand writers in town. His pen helped craft hits for big names like Kenny Chesney (“Never Wanted Nothing More”), George Strait (“Love’s Gonna Make It Alright”), and Darius Rucker (“Come Back Song”) — all before most people even knew his name. Stapleton was known for his raw, soulful writing style, often blending country storytelling with blues and Southern rock influences. Even then, his peers recognized his rare combination of grit and heart, and they knew he was one of the best vocalists in the game. Dierks Bentley famously called him the “best singer in the world” way back in 2010.
Chris spent over a decade writing for others, fronting bluegrass and Southern rock bands on the side, before finally stepping into the spotlight himself with Traveller in 2015 — an album that would turn his years of quiet hard work into overnight stardom.
So speaking of that George Strait hit, let’s watch Chris sing it himself. Why? Well, because nobody sings quite like Chris Stapleton… even Darius Rucker was hesitant to record “Come Back Song” because he knew he couldn’t hang with Chris’ demo version. And Darius Rucker can SING.
According to Chris, he was writing a song specifically to pitch to George, and… it worked:
“Sat down to write this song, this is another one where this kinda worked… George was cuttin’ and my friend Al Anderson who used to be in a band called NRBQ, back in the ’80s… he goes ‘hey man, George is cuttin’ and we need to write something for George.’
That never works out when you do that… but he said ‘we need to write a song for George’ and we did. And it turned out to be this one.”
Written by Al Anderson and Chris Stapleton, it was cut by George and released on his 2011 album, Here For A Good Time. The second single from the album, it went Top 5 on the Billboard Hot Country chart.
They were swinging for a home run… and sure enough, they hit one.
Here’s ol’ George with the recorded studio version.
Chris Stapleton Gets Goosebumps Performing Alongside George Strait
For a country music singer, even one as incredible as Chris Stapleton is, singing with George Strait is about as good as it gets. And for a country music fans, Chris Stapleton singing with George Strait is also about as good as it gets.
Back in 2017, Chris and George and a ton of other superstars got together to raise money for Hurricane Harvey victims at a benefit concert called Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief. The special raised $44 million dollars and featured performances from Stevie Wonder, Blake Shelton, Dave Matthews, and more.
Chris Stapleton joined George Strait for a duet of Strait’s 1993 hit “When Did You Stop Loving Me” and if that isn’t a lethal combo…. I don’t know what is. Of course, this was long before George started taking Chris out for a run of stadium shows with him every year.
And even for Chris, it was enough to give him goosebumps:
“If you don’t think growing up listening to George Strait and then getting up here and singing with him is the coolest thing that you’ll ever do, let me tell you that it is. It made the hairs on my arm stand up.”
Country music at its best.
George Strait Announces 2026 Show At Clemson’s Memorial Stadium
The King is heading to South Carolina in 2026.
This morning, George Strait announced a concert that will take place next year in Death Valley, home of the Clemson Tigers in Clemson, South Carolina at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026.
It’s a one night only, in-the-round concert that features to incredible opening acts in Cody Johnson and Wyatt Flores, and I have no doubt this one is going to sell out quick. Not only is seeing George Strait live a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most fans, he’s bringing along some fantastic openers, which will only add to the magic and excitement of this concert.
Tickets will go on sale in a couple weeks, on Friday, October 31st, and I’d highly recommend being ready as soon as they hit Ticketmaster, because they’re going to go very fast:
This show will be the first concert held at Memorial Stadium since 1999, which was also headlined by George Strait, so it will be a full-circle moment for both Strait and the fans.
Strait simply says he can’t wait to see everyone back in Clemson after more than 25 years:
“Going back to Death Valley for the first time in more than 25 years feels pretty special. Can’t wait to see you, Clemson!”
Of course, both in 2024 and 2025, Strait headlined different stadiums throughout the country, including setting a record in 2024 at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field, which was the largest single ticketed concerts in U.S. history with 110,905 fans in attendance, though that record was recently broken when Zach Bryan headlined Michigan Stadium.
In addition to this concert in 2026, Strait is going to be one of the honorees at the 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors this December, which recognizes his lifetime of contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
Located in Washington, D.C., The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, and notable country acts who have been honored over the years include legends like Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, George Jones and many more. George Strait is a perfect addition to that list, and I’m sure some beloved country artists will also be in attendance to pay tribute to one of country music’s most beloved artists.
The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors will take place in December and air on CBS.
And I’m not sure if he will announce any other show dates for next year, though I wouldn’t be surprised to see at least one or two others added to the list over the next several months.
I saw Strait a couple years ago in Charlotte, and it’s still one of my favorite concerts I’ve ever seen, so if you have the chance or have had Strait on your bucket list for a while, don’t miss out on this one. You won’t regret it, and that’s a promise.
