Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton revitalized traditional country in 2015 with Traveller, selling 4 million copies and winning three Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album. His gritty, soul-drenched vocals evoke the raw power of 1970s outlaw country, yet he's 40% more streamed than the average Nashville newcomer, with over 15 million monthly Spotify listeners. Unlike the stadium-filling spectacle of Garth Brooks, who leads category sales at 170 million albums, Stapleton's quieter approach landed four consecutive number-one albums faster than any solo artist in the past decade. His songwriting credits for other artists, including three number-one hits for George Strait, further cement his cross-generational influence.