“Traveller” by Chris Stapleton Wins 2016 Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance
NOTE: Make sure to join Saving Country Music Monday night for the Grammy Awards LIVE blog.
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UPDATE: Chris Stapleton also wins the Grammy for Best Country Album.
Add a Grammy to the war chest for Chris Stapleton.
During the 48th Annual Grammy Awards pre-telecast Monday afternoon, the rising country star and Kentucky born songwriter walked away with the Grammy for “Best Country Solo Performance” for his fine work on the title track to his debut solo album, Traveller. Stapleton beat out Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Cam, and Lee Ann Womack for the distinction.
“I’ve sat out in this audience a couple of different times. Third times a charm I guess,” Stapleton said as he took the podium. “Man, I don’t know what to say. I’d like to thank my wife, always pushing me to do good things, and all the guys in the band that played on it. J.T. Cure, Robby Turner, Mike Webb, Dave Cobb, the GREAT Dave Cobb, Universal, Red Light. I don’t know what to say. Thank you very much.”
The win comes as Chris Stapleton is also up for the evening’s biggest award, the all-genre Album of the Year to be handed out later Monday evening. All the attention comes as Chris Stapleton has been experiencing a meteoric rise after his wins and performance at the 2015 CMA awards in early November. Stapleton walked away with New Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Male Vocalist of the Year, and sang with Justin Timberlake in a performance that resulted in a massive bump in named recognition and appreciation for the songwriter. Since then his album Traveller has logged 12 weeks as the #1 album in country music.
The Grammy pre-telecast was a family affair for Stapleton. His former band The SteelDrivers won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album for The Muscle Shoals Recordings. His producer Dave Cobb was also mentioned as part of Jason Isbell’s big wins for Best Americana Album, and Best American Roots Song.
READ: Justice Served: Jason Isbell Wins 2016 Grammy for Best Americana Album / American Roots Song
Other pre-telecast winners include Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn for Best Folk Album, and Best American Roots Performance went to Mavis Staples for “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean.”
February 15, 2016 @ 4:53 pm
Ok, I feel kind of badly that I said Chris’s album is overrated. It’s more the hype of the album. I think the album is solid. It’s just that I don’t see how it would be sooo much better than about 20 red dirt albums I can think of. However, it’s a good album. I’m glad he won too, very well deserved. Now, if we could only get Sam Hunt out of the category of best country singer.
February 15, 2016 @ 10:48 pm
It’s not that much better. The difference is that he managed to both play the game AND release a legitimately good country album. That hasn’t happened in years.
February 19, 2016 @ 5:06 pm
I agree, I guess it’s the playing the game thing that got him in.
February 15, 2016 @ 5:11 pm
Hopefully these wins restore some sanity to a country music world that has been overrun with bro-meisters.
February 15, 2016 @ 5:26 pm
I’m so happy for this. I recall the blank stares I received from locals last summer when I said I was driving 300 miles to see some country singer named Stapleton that they’d never heard of.
February 15, 2016 @ 5:47 pm
Recently I heard Tennessee Whiskey playing over the background sound system in a grocery store in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. I was signing along while I shopped and thought, “Man, he’s really done it. I didn’t expect to hear this here….”
February 17, 2016 @ 8:03 pm
Funny I was in Bangkok, Thailand right after New Years and heard the same song being played. Guess they have good musical taste there.
February 15, 2016 @ 7:25 pm
Well we have to be happy for him. Congratulations, and such. Good luck on best album. I agree with orgirl, but he is still the best candidate. The best chance to start to legitimize country music again. Wish it could be sturgill but oh well. Now waiting on the southern family Cobb project whatever its called. Would like to hear Jamey Johnson again, I prefer his songwriting to chris.
February 15, 2016 @ 11:17 pm
I sat through the Grammys with my daughter tonight. First time I have ever forced myself to watch the show. How about the class and musical depth shown by Chris Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt and Gary Clark Jr. with the BB King cover? Highlight of the show. Solid.
February 16, 2016 @ 7:39 am
Yes, that BB King tribute was a high point of the show, with all three of them doing the song that got King his biggest hit (and a 1970 R&B Male Vocal Grammy), “The Thrill Is Gone.”
February 17, 2016 @ 4:21 pm
I like Chris ,,, that said,basically he beat out Lee Ann Womack for the distinction.The ONLY other real country artist nominated.