Before the Fame: Chris Stapleton’s Journey From Hit Songwriter to Country Music Superstar

Before Chris Stapleton became the award-winning country star we know today, he was already a prolific songwriter behind some major hits.

Stapleton’s breakthrough moment came in December 2015 when he took the country music world by storm at the CMAs, winning nearly every award and delivering a legendary performance with Justin Timberlake. The two sang Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” and Timberlake’s “Drink You Away,” leaving the audience electrified. From there, his career skyrocketed: within a year, he earned two Grammys, four ACM Awards, and was named Breakthrough Artist at the CMT Artists of the Year ceremony.

Stapleton became one of the most sought-after artists across all genres. After the CMAs, he performed on SNL, graced every major awards show, and took the stage at Coachella, Bonaroo, and Lollapalooza—festivals not typically known for featuring country artists. Fast forward to today, and he’s a fixture at the top of country charts, a frequent award winner, and a tour headliner. With ten Grammy Awards, ten ACM Awards, 14 CMA Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards to his name, it’s no wonder that he was named ACM’s inaugural Artist-Songwriter of the Decade in 2019.

But before all the fame, Stapleton was already a seasoned hitmaker in Nashville, writing chart-topping songs for artists like Alan Jackson, George Strait, Darius Rucker, and Thomas Rhett. Below are some of his best-known songwriting credits that helped pave the way for his own rise to stardom:

“Your Man” by Josh Turner
Released in 2005, this song became Josh Turner’s first number one hit and was certified Platinum, with over 1.3 million copies sold. It earned Stapleton an ASCAP award and a BMI Award.

“Never Wanted Nothing More” by Kenny Chesney
This 2007 track was Kenny Chesney’s fastest-rising number one single, climbing 20 spots in the first week. Stapleton’s songwriting helped make it a standout.

“Come Back Song” by Darius Rucker
Written with Casey Beathard in 2010, this number one hit was featured on Darius Rucker’s Charleston, SC 1966 album and dominated the Billboard Country charts.

“If It Hadn’t Been For Love” by Adele
Originally recorded by Stapleton’s bluegrass band, The SteelDrivers, this song was later covered by Adele as a bonus track for 21, gaining praise for its raw emotion and unique storytelling.

“Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” by George Strait
Released in 2011, this smooth ballad was a hit on the country charts, capturing Strait’s signature style with a modern twist, thanks to Stapleton’s songwriting.

“Something to Do with My Hands” by Thomas Rhett
As part of his debut album It Goes Like This, Thomas Rhett’s first single, co-written with Stapleton, reached number 15 on the charts, showing their strong collaborative chemistry.

“Talk Is Cheap” by Alan Jackson
Featured on Jackson’s Thirty Miles West album, this fan-favorite song was never released as a single but helped solidify Stapleton’s reputation as a talented songwriter.

“Drink A Beer” by Luke Bryan
Stapleton wrote this poignant ballad about loss, which became one of Luke Bryan’s biggest hits, resonating deeply with fans and critics alike.

“Crash And Burn” by Thomas Rhett
This track, written for Rhett’s second album Tangled Up, was a chart-topper, certified Platinum, and played a key role in launching Rhett’s successful solo career.

“Lonely Girl” by Charles Kelley
Released in 2015 as part of Kelley’s solo album, this track helped fans see a different side of the Lady Antebellum frontman, and Stapleton’s influence was clear in the song’s emotive writing.

Chris Stapleton’s influence as a songwriter is undeniable, and his rise to stardom only solidified his place in country music history. Many of the songs he’s written for other artists might surprise you, but they’re all part of what made his transition to a solo artist so impactful.