![Chris Stapelton performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.](assets/images/pages/2013/hightunes3/ChrisStapleton.jpg)
The son of a Kentucky coal miner, Chris Stapleton moved to Music City in 2001. Before he found success as a solo act for Mercury Nashville, the guitar-playing Stapleton was a member of the three-time Grammy nominated bluegrass group, the Steel Drivers.
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His debut album, Traveller, includes the High Tune, "Might As Well Get Stoned." It's pure rock & roll with a blues-style guitar riff reminiscent of Albert King. The song is about a man who's heartbroken after being kicked out of his home by his woman. "And since my whiskey’s gone I might as well get stoned," Stapleton sings. The final verse speaks to soldiers serving overseas: "Now every time I watch the TV/ Another soldier dies/ Another brother’s gone/ Another mother cries/ Now I know they’ve got a job to do/ But if I had one wish / I wish they’d all come home/ So, we could all get stoned." Listen to "Might As Well Get Stoned" above.
Another song on the album, "Outlaw State of Mind," mentions blazing with his buddies: "I've got friends that know how to have a good time/ Yeah, they roll their own and drink Carolina shine/ I've seen the devil in a dark coal mine/ I've been higher than a Georgia pine."
Stapleton isn't just a accomplished singer; he's also a sought after songwriter who's penned tunes for such acts as Darius Rucker, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Adele, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw and Dierks Bentley.
Stapleton's currently on the road with his band (his wife Morgane sings back-up vocals). Check out their tour schedule here.