2nd SNL Appearance Could be the Start of a Big 2018 for Chris Stapleton
It’s one thing to get the opportunity to play the vaunted Saturday Night Live stage. It’s another to be asked back, and in such a short interval. But that’s just the kind of roll Chris Stapleton continues to be on. And why not? In 2017, when considering the impact of all the artists in country music across numerous measurables, Chris Stapleton came out on top, and almost two fold against his nearest competition, Luke Bryan. His records Traveller and From A Room: Vol. 1 were the #1 and #2 sellers for the year, and the only reason From A Room: Vol.2 was left off the list is because it was a December release.
Radio sure as hell won’t play him, but recognizing the greater cultural impact Chris Stapleton has accrued in the last couple of years, SNL has invited him back for a 2nd performance on January 27th. Stapleton also appeared on the show in January of 2016.
This could be the beginning of a very big run for Stapleton to start off 2018. Along with the SNL appearance on the 27th, he’s up for three Grammy Awards the very next day, January 28th, which will also be held in New York City this year. Along with being up for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance, Stapleton will be up for Best Country Album, which may also help land him a primetime performance slot on the CBS telecast.
But that’s not all, Stapleton is also slated to appear on a song on Justin Timberlake’s new album Man of the Woods that is scheduled to be released February 4th. And not to stop there, two days later is the Super Bowl, where Justin Timberlake is the halftime performer, and some are hoping Stapleton will be one of Timberlake’s special guests.
Though radio continues to ignore him, Chris Stapleton continues to find appeal, and avenues to reach his exceedingly large audience.
January 15, 2018 @ 12:46 pm
Yeehaw
January 15, 2018 @ 2:05 pm
His success despite radio ignoring him is sooooooooo satisfying. And yet radio programmers don’t get the message that people are tired of being fed the same five shitty artists over and over again. And again. And again.
January 15, 2018 @ 2:37 pm
Wonder what McNally thinks about this? LOL….
January 15, 2018 @ 10:07 pm
But bro. Are you like, mad dude? Uhhh. Yea. That’s all I’ve got. -Shane Mac-analy
I just realized his name sounds like a Big Mac suppository. How nice for him.
January 17, 2018 @ 10:52 am
McAnally is probably as mad as he was when Same Trailer, Different Park won a Grammy!
He and Stapleton have a cowrite from a couple years ago. They’re almost certainly friendly.
January 15, 2018 @ 3:13 pm
Very cool!
January 15, 2018 @ 3:20 pm
Stapleton’s killing the game. Man, props to him
January 15, 2018 @ 3:21 pm
Radio is ignoring him and a lot of others. That’s why I am ignoring radio. Everything changed when the programming was taken away from the stations. It was better when the DJ’s had more control over what got played. A good DJ knew what the people wanted to hear, and they were willing to take requests from listeners. Until that returns I have no real interest in listening to FM radio other than my local news.
January 15, 2018 @ 3:45 pm
Couldn’t have said it better!!
January 16, 2018 @ 8:57 am
…….interesting development w local ‘country ‘ radio here in Vancouver . request hour is back -every weeknight evening after 9pm ,apparently …caught it last night and was pleasantly surprised at what I heard …Jessica Andrews , Randy , some local etc… ……wonder if radio is getting the message ?
January 16, 2018 @ 10:40 am
I wish radio would get the message. It’s so much easier to turn on the radio when I get in the car as opposed to syncing or plugging my phone in to get my favorite music. I know that is probably my biggest frustration with the changes radio has went through. They’re making me work harder to get to listen to my favorites. I am just glad the artists are still out there making what we like to hear, since they know as well that there songs most likely won’t hit the FM airwaves.
January 16, 2018 @ 11:29 am
The live feel of radio, the local aspect of the personalities and personalization of the playlist and the sense of community are things streaming services can never replace.
January 17, 2018 @ 10:53 am
Yup. I’m so thankful I found a local roots station a couple years ago.
January 15, 2018 @ 3:22 pm
It’s the 21st Century and fortunately Radio is not the only avenue to access great music. As pgwenz said……radio has their few favorite artists they play….like them or not. I rarely listen to radio anymore.
January 15, 2018 @ 3:37 pm
Trigger, as far as I can tell, Spotify is completely supplanting radio for the younger crowd. When I click on the country playlists in spotify however, it’s all pure trash. The good stuff needs to be found manually by the listener.
Are you considering/have you already written an article about this issue? I’m worried that even if radio blows up and goes bankrupt we will still have the same problems as before on this new platform.
January 15, 2018 @ 5:28 pm
Spotify is arguably more ripe for straight up payola for playlist placement since the FCC has no regulatory capacity over it. I’m not exactly sure what can be done in the short term aside from just like with radio, trying to offer consumers alternatives. That’s why despite the obvious issues with Spotify and streaming, I have created a specific playlist where I can push the songs and artist I believe need to be heard, and I know won’t be corrupted.
https://open.spotify.com/user/savingcountrymusic/playlist/7mfYm0btgVvLXdeC7wiV7K
January 15, 2018 @ 7:53 pm
Trigger, Have you ever considered launching your own Ham Radio Station? It would be worth the set up. Ham Radio has so much garbage spewed over the air waves, your country music station would be a welcome relief.
January 15, 2018 @ 8:06 pm
Trigger, Have you ever considered launching your own country music video Youtube station? You could have live broadcasts and in studio performances and you could take your iphone to the honkytonks and broadcast shows and interviews. All by yourself because no one on this site would ever lift a damn finger to help you get your show off the ground.
January 15, 2018 @ 9:51 pm
Put it on Kickstarter. I’d done to that
January 15, 2018 @ 9:52 pm
Donate
January 15, 2018 @ 3:47 pm
Looking forward to it! 🙂 I’d love to see him do one track from each volume (maybe “Broken Halos” or “Second One to Know” from 1, and “Scarecrow in the Garden” or “Millionaire” from 2…).
January 15, 2018 @ 3:48 pm
I will say this, Broken Halos (the current single) just entered the top 20 at radio. It has been in the MB top 50 for 166 days, which sounds like a lot, until you realize that Maren just went #1 for the first time with a song that has been in the top 50 for 287 days. Either way was a poor single choice, but it did get an hourly airplay debut. Chris clearly isn’t the hot thing at radio, but it’s probably a bit of a stretch to say radio is ignoring him, and lots of radio DJs love Chris.
I am curios if Chris will be a special guest, makes sense because of album, Alicia Keys, also on the album, or Carrie because of the NBC deal. The latter two also provide more gender balance.
January 16, 2018 @ 9:03 am
I hear Broken Halos on one of my stations.
January 15, 2018 @ 3:50 pm
Chris Stapleton is beating Music Row at its own game. Seeing artists like Stapleton, Sturgill & Jason Isbell making high quality, real, honest, gritty country music on their own terms and succeeding means that hopefully the tide is turning & also showing Music Row that country music fans like us who love honest country music aren’t going away. I hope that this shows Music Row that we won’t listen to the homogenized, sanitized R&B/hip hop top 40 pop radio bullshit that they try to pass off as country because it’s not and it never will be. This proves it.
January 15, 2018 @ 3:53 pm
Midnight Train To Memphis.
January 15, 2018 @ 10:51 pm
That would be awesome. 😀 That song and “Either Way” would be my dream picks.
January 17, 2018 @ 12:11 pm
Actually heard Midnight Train to Memphis on my local classic rock station a few weeks ago with the DJ giving praise to Chris. That said, I have been hearing Broken Halos more lately.
January 15, 2018 @ 3:57 pm
I love his music and I love how humble and real he is. His success is a joy to watch. He is a gifted songwriter. Deserves all the good fortune he has worked so hard for.
January 15, 2018 @ 4:17 pm
Ever since I heard Tennessee Whiskey I fell in love with his music. His voice is unlike many other country artist. Also his wife has a beautiful voice and compliments his perfectly!
January 15, 2018 @ 5:32 pm
I’d love to see them perform Up to No Good Livin’ live.
January 16, 2018 @ 10:53 pm
Its the song, not him. DAC proved that.
January 15, 2018 @ 5:39 pm
Country radio is in the scrapper! Chris Stapleton,Jason Isbell, Strugil Simpson prove it.
These three artists have SUCCESSFULLY gone on without MUSIC ROW. Happy for
Artists such as these taking it to another venue and Never giving up.
January 16, 2018 @ 9:01 am
so to summarize …..REAL talent doesn’t need ‘country’ radio ………all the rest do .
January 15, 2018 @ 5:48 pm
Good to know you don’t need music row, also great to see Brothers Osborne getting their due
January 15, 2018 @ 6:06 pm
I hear ya Steve. Brothers Osborne deserve alot more credit and recognition.
January 15, 2018 @ 6:20 pm
I have seen Chris three times live. His raw musical talent and humility are ever present. I will see him in June in Dallas with the Eagles…I can’t wait!
January 15, 2018 @ 6:56 pm
I like Sturgill better than Stapleton and Isbell because he leaves his wife at home.
January 16, 2018 @ 3:08 am
Were you trying to make a joke? Because it wasn’t funny.
January 16, 2018 @ 7:10 am
What’s the difference between Morgane and Naomi?
January 16, 2018 @ 7:08 am
We have a friend in our group I refer to as Chris Stapleton because he’s the only one who has to bring his wife to everything! He brought her to the Mayweather/ McGregor fight this past August, but there was only one extra seat – he had to stand.
January 16, 2018 @ 8:21 am
I saw Isbell a couple weeks and was disappointed his wife wasn’t there. She is very talented. I can’t imagine a rational human can actually watch her perform with Jason and think is negative. Not having an opinion on here either way is one thing. I really don’t understand thinking she detracts.
January 17, 2018 @ 10:56 am
Seriously…is the problem her gorgeous voice, or the fact that she’s legitimately one of the best fiddle players on the planet?
January 15, 2018 @ 6:58 pm
There is no one I would watch on SNL.
The show hasn’t been funny in decades.
The cast sucks.
They’re all a bunch of effite comedians who aren’t funny.
It jumped the shark 30-35 years ago.
January 15, 2018 @ 7:30 pm
If you missed it…check YouTube for Sturgill’s two songs on SNL. Un-effing-believable!
Totally agree that they couldn’t purposely find funny to save their asses, but….
January 16, 2018 @ 6:10 am
To be fair SNL has improved over the last couple years. The cast has come together a little more. It is still guilty of substituting trendy for funny, but in today’s world you can’t really blame them. And the funny has gotten funnier. Alec Baldwin and Larry David probably saved the day for them, but to their credit they built on that and ended up with a better show. They will probably continue following trends rather than setting them but who knows what a cast change might bring–they do need another breakout star, methinks.
As far as Stapleton’s repeat appearance, he runs the risk of being the modern Kris Kristofferson–the ‘rebel’ that gets trotted out whenever an outlaw injection is needed. Not that he should mind the extra fame and fortune that can bring! But Chris, with his mainstream country background, is about as much an outlaw as Kris–sports star, Rhodes Scholar, military pilot, actor. At least Chris did have the decency to drop out of college before he got his Engineering degree!
Anyway, I’d much rather see Cody Jinks’ premiere performance than this repeat performance, but I’ll definitely take it! Or let’s see Chris bring out the full Millennial Outlaw Mount Rushmore for his second song: Stapleton, Jinks, Morgan, and Johnson. Now wouldn’t THAT be somethin’!
January 16, 2018 @ 6:38 am
“Anyway, I’d much rather see Cody Jinks’ premiere performance than this repeat performance, but I’ll definitely take it! Or let’s see Chris bring out the full Millennial Outlaw Mount Rushmore for his second song: Stapleton, Jinks, Morgan, and Johnson. Now wouldn’t THAT be somethin’!”
Amen! That would be worth the price of admission (watching the rest of the garbage)
January 16, 2018 @ 9:52 am
SNL undoubtedly gets quality musicians.
I personally can’t stand Alec Baldwin or Larry David.
I think that the entire cast and the producers take themselves way too seriously.
Their smugness is off-putting to me.
That time of night, I usually tune into the show which is filmed in the cave concert hall near Crossville or Cookeville, Austin City Limits (if it has a band I like, which has become increasingly rare) or Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s (if its on TV).
January 15, 2018 @ 8:55 pm
His song Fool me Again needs played more and to be more accessible on Spotify and the other ones like that. He is so awesome. I have turned many on to him. Can’t wait until he starts to tour the east coast.
January 15, 2018 @ 9:32 pm
I just hope he leaves the painfully fake duster coat and southwestern turquoise and feather hat at home. It’s time he finds his own, non co-opted style.
January 15, 2018 @ 9:39 pm
I don’t know how you go from this http://www.nucountry.com.au/articles/diary/december2015/211215_chrisstapleton_cdreview.htm
To a duster wearing, turquoise cowboy hat wearing “badass” in the matter of a few years? Did he go work on a ranch in New Mexico or something?
January 15, 2018 @ 10:10 pm
No. Doubt he’s ever seen a ranch. He just hired a performance coach like all those other Nashville douchebags. Full image $999 but only if you CALL NOW!!!
January 16, 2018 @ 7:38 am
I like my duster coat. It’s made by Driza Bone, oilcloth, and great in a downpour! I’m no cowboy though and am seldom on a horse, but I love the style. I think Stapleton is a fan of the 70s Outlaw era look. His hat is in the style of that era. Charlie Daniels used to sport one very similar. His album cover Whiskey for example and Saddle Tramp. Indian culture and feathers were popular. Growing up in that time frame I remember that style well. Other artists from that period wore similar hats. Bocephus, Mickey Gilley, Michael Martin Murphy , Johnny Lee etc.
As for dusters, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Charlie Daniels all wore them, numerous album covers have featured them ie: Me and The Boys, Heroes, American Recordings. Never Could Toe The Mark and Some Highwayman covers.
Stapleton has made it no secret he’s inspired by those guys. Personally I love the look. And truthfully, western wear has been synonymous with country and western music going back to Spade Cooley, Sons of The Pioneers, Bob Wills and everyone after them. Most of the folks who dress that way are not working Cowboys or ranchers, true. But it’s a style that endures. I’ll take it any day over this metro bro style we have been seeing.
January 17, 2018 @ 2:51 pm
All of that is true, however, Stapleton’s transformation from just a normal looking, somewhat nerdy dude to full on “outlaw” (if was assume that is the look he is going for as you reference) is a bit much to me. Given the timing, it obviously had to do with PR / overall image that was probably cooked up by the the label’s consultants. I find it hard to believe that he is all that sincere about that clothing…and it certainly isn’t functional…given that he just made the full on change that coincided with his national image getting bigger. At the end of the day, it’s not a big deal, but I think the sudden change is a bit lame, as it always is when anyone makes a full on change in their personal style at any age past about 20-21.
January 15, 2018 @ 10:50 pm
It amazes me the artists country radio chooses to ignore! Chris Stapleton, Gary Allan etc. It’s a damn shame!
January 16, 2018 @ 12:46 am
I’ve tried getting on the Stapleton wagon and for some reason his songs don’t work for me. Today it hit me, I finally heard the Halo song and all I could think was that Stapleton reminds me of Michael Bolton if Michael Bolton sang country music. However I do wish him continued success.
January 16, 2018 @ 3:10 am
Seriously?
January 16, 2018 @ 6:41 am
What’s wrong with Michael Bolton?
January 16, 2018 @ 7:23 am
There’s nothing wrong with Michael Bolton if you like Michael Bolton. It just seems that every couple of years we get excited with a White person having soul Michael Bolton, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Michael Grimm. And obviously I’m in the minority here but that’s the thing with music it’s an art so it’s subjective. To me a soul singer isn’t what one sounds like but how one makes you feel. I’ve always thought that Jones, Whitley, Gosdin were soul singers.
January 16, 2018 @ 7:54 am
“We get excited”? Maybe “some” might. I do like Michael Bolton. I also like the people you think sing soul music. Jones, Whitley, Gosdin. I also like Tom Jones, who can do a pretty good country set. Let’s also add Don Gibson. The list is growing. Now Stapleton can be added to the list. Since we’re dissing on others. I also think it’s better than being “excited” about Sturgill Simpson as though he is something special, or a good representation. I personally can’t stand him, especially after the performance he made on SNL. I think his performance was silly and gratuitous, but, that’s what I would expect from him.
So, Stapleton is a step up IMO, which is admittedly subjective from two directions as far as SNL goes. I don’t like SNL, I think Stapleton is a much better representation- AND with soul.
January 16, 2018 @ 9:18 am
DJ, yes “we” as in the 2 or 3 million if not more albums the he has sold. It’s obvious that Stapleton has done something right just read the comments. I admitted I am in the minority. I don’t know how comparing Stapleton to a guy who has sold millions of albums and won countless of awards can be perceived as “dissing.” At no point have I said that either Stapleton or Bolton make bad music. As a matter I have owned Michael Bolton music and seen him concert years ago but I quickly lost interest in him. And regardless of how I feel about Stapleton’s music I have always thought he is good for country music because he may open doors for other artists and that’s always a good thing.
January 16, 2018 @ 11:39 pm
And here I was thinking he’s like Kenny G.
January 16, 2018 @ 1:26 am
I saw Chris in North Platte Nebraska last June and he blew everyone in the audience away! There’s not a whole lot of musicians who can play a live show where it sounds like you are listening to the CD! I saw Alan Jackson the night before and his concert sounded rushed. It seems like he has a song for every thing you are going through. Be it a breakup or prison or even when it’s time to get stoned! I’ve turned many people on to his music and they all enjoy listening to him! Even some hard core metalhead’s! His music is relevant and engaging!
January 16, 2018 @ 4:48 am
I don’t even own a TV, anymore, with all the BS, since the election. If I had a TV, I still wouldn’t watch. I’m not giving a second of my time, to such a hateful bunch of people. I really hope it’s great for Chris, but I will pass on that show.
January 16, 2018 @ 9:14 am
Or…..you can watch it as soon as it is uploaded to YouTube the next morning. That is what the majority of people will do anyway. I seriously doubt Stapleton’s performance will have an inkling of political satire/comment if that is what you are concerned about.
January 16, 2018 @ 7:07 am
Won’t beat Sturgill’s performance.
January 16, 2018 @ 10:53 am
I just looked at my local country radio station playlist and not a single song from Chris Stapleton’s new album or any song from him period. Just the same Nashville pop and bro-garbage music. I’m that asshole that writes bad yelp reviews on country stations.
January 16, 2018 @ 11:28 am
“I’m that asshole that writes bad yelp reviews on country stations.”
🙂
January 16, 2018 @ 12:09 pm
Stapleton is also playing two shows with the Eagles meaning that over the last three years he has opened for Tom Petty and the Eagles while co-headlining with Hank Jr as well. Let’s see Luke Bryan do that. He never will though. Stapleton is respected by all musicians beyond the country peers unlike any other artist
January 16, 2018 @ 10:48 pm
Who cares what a pop bluesman is doing?
January 17, 2018 @ 9:29 am
I’m not sure what radio is ignoring him. He isn’t ignored by radio in the Midwest. His songs play multiple times a day! We can’t get enough of Stapleton here. ♡
January 17, 2018 @ 1:45 pm
I wouldn’t know if radio fails to play Stapleton because I fail to play the radio.
January 22, 2018 @ 12:56 pm
This is great news!
I have been a fan of his since his Steeldriver days.
After he moved on, I would follow anything new he’d do including his Jompson Brothers album.
Yes I bought it and tried hard to like it but it just didn’t do it for me.
Then What are you listening to was released and I knew he still had it in him.
January 22, 2018 @ 3:38 pm
Remember, Chris said…
“I don’t think country music needs saving from anything,” “Whether you like modern incarnations of what country radio hits are, or you like what I’m doing, or you like something really off in folk, poetry Americana land, it’s all just music, man. If you like one of them, great, go buy it.”
“I like all kinds of music. But I would rather people stop caring about lines,” he states. “Nothing gets on my nerves more than somebody else spending all their energy and time talking about something that they don’t like, and trying to convince you that you shouldn’t like it, and this thing over here is better. … I don’t like sushi. In fact, I kind of loathe sushi. But I don’t go around trying to convince my wife or any of my friends, “Oh, you shouldn’t eat sushi, it’s terrible.’”
“It’s the dumbest thing ever,” he continues. “It doesn’t make sense to me why we do that with music. We don’t really do that with anything else. … I think it’s OK if somebody likes my music and likes Sam Hunt’s music too. And I think if we’re both selling records, it’s good for everybody. I think it allows other records to get made.”
So, I took him at his word.
“It’s the dumbest thing ever,” he continues. “It doesn’t make sense to me why we do that with music. We don’t really do that with anything else. … I think it’s OK if somebody likes my music and likes Sam Hunt’s music too. And I think if we’re both selling records, it’s good for everybody. I think it allows other records to get made.”
January 22, 2018 @ 3:53 pm
Oops. Sorry ^ last quote was repeated.
No can ever know or speak for what someone else is really thinking. I don’t know if Chris cares about the radio either.