Chris Stapleton may not be a name you know like Luke, Eric or Jason but if last night's CMA Awards are any indication, Chris Stapleton is a name you should watch. The HAWK congratulates Chris for winning CMA trophies for:  Male Artist of the YearAlbum of the Year ('Traveller'), and New Artist of the Year.  But Chris is not new to Nashville.

Chris has a very impressive resume and it's full of successes.  He has a string of hit  songs that he wrote or co-wrote for Kenny Chesney ('Never Wanted Nothin' More'), George Strait ('Love's Gonna Make It Right'), and Darius Rucker ('Come Back Song').  His songs have been recorded by Luke Bryan, Adele, Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley, to name a few.

Chris Stapleton moved to Nashville in 2001 and is proud of his Grammy nominations and success at writing and collaborating.   Chris has mastered every sound from bluegrass to Southern Rock.  His music has been featured on the movie soundtracks of 'Cars 2' and 'Valentine's Day.'  You put that with his CMA wins Wednesday night and your realize Chris is "the real deal."

Chris has a bit of that outlaw country sound that makes you remember some of the greats like Waylon Jennings or David Allan Coe.  I even hear a little Travis Tritt in Chris.

What I loved about Wednesday night's CMA Award show is that it wasn't the usual 3 or 4 artists winning.  It was nice to see a deserving artist who has more than paid his dues, walk away with so many awards.  Chris Stapleton doesn't fit the pretty boy 'bro country' mold that so many artists are doing right now and subject matter that Maddie and Tae sing about in 'Girl in a Country Song,' he just produces really good good country music and it's nice that Nashville took notice.

Here is a sample of what Chris Stapleton does best, including what everyone is saying was one of the highlights from Wednesday night's CMA Awards when he shared the stage with the amazing Justin Timberlake.

 

More From 98.1 The Hawk