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‘Who am I voting for? America!’ Chris Stapleton on patriotism, politics and being country’s great crossover star
With southern-gothic storytelling and a soulfully diverse sound, the Kentucky singer revolutionised the double-denim country scene. But as the US election hots up, he’s staying out of the culture wars
‘It’s important that you write songs sometimes that are timely.’ Photograph: David McClisterOver the next decade or so, Stapleton earned a reputation as a prolific, versatile songwriter for country stars old (Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, George Strait), and new (Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton). Stapleton’s breakthrough came at a time when Nashville was dominated by bro-country; the upbeat, poppy sub-genre preoccupied with trucks, women, beer and partying, sung by young men in double denim. Photograph: Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesBy 2023, a GQ headline was asking “Is Chris Stapleton the one thing America could agree on?”, and for all that he trades in occasionally angry and even subversive songwriting, he has cultivated universal admiration by being very even-handed.
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