Chris Stapleton Brings Two Nights Of Great Music To Bridgestone Arena

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Chris Stapleton plays Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Thomas Falcone

Chris Stapleton brought his “All-American Road Show” to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Friday (Aug. 9) and Saturday night (Aug. 10) and showcased some of the best musicianship that Music City has to offer.

The singer, who has won 10 Grammys, 16 CMA and 19 ACM Awards, was in top form when he stepped on stage. The crowd was warmed up with music from Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, who were truly fabulous playing Stuart’s classics in the country music songbook. Nikki Lane crushed her opening spot of her and her band’s “biggest show ever,” playing several fan-favorites that got everyone buzzing.

Backstage at Chris Stapleton’s Bridgestone Arena show. Photo: Thomas Falcone

Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show” stage was the perfect setting to display his once-in-a-generation talent. The floor, covered in Persian rugs, was lined with Edison bulbs in the front. Above the band was a glowing lantern that looked like a disco ball, and behind them were shelves of lighting and a large cork triangle, flanked by swooping velvet curtains.

When it came time for him to play, he and his band walked out with no bells and whistles, leading the crowd to roar. He took off with his Grammy-winning “White Horse,” following it with “Nobody to Blame” and “Second One to Know.”

Stapleton then took some time to address the crowd, directing fans to pass their signs to the side of the stage to be signed, so that everyone could see. The humble performer let everyone know that he wasn’t going to be talking much—not that anyone expected him to, as he’s been known to let the music do the talking. He shared his gratitude and got on with the show.

Stapleton and his stellar band treated Nashville to a string of beloved hits from albums Starting Over as well as From A Room: Volume 1 and Volume 2, the history-making Traveller and his 2023 project Higher. Fans swooned to his expertly-crafted love songs like “Millionaire,” “Think I’m in Love With You,” “Starting Over,” “Joy of My Life” and “You Should Probably Leave”—all of which featured the love and musical partnership between him and wife Morgane. The audience nodded their heads as the couple blasted out his rockers “Hard Livin’,” “Might as Well Get Stoned” and “Arkansas.”

Chris Stapleton plays Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Thomas Falcone

A highlight of the night came when Stapleton commanded the stage with just an acoustic guitar. The arena wailed when he broke out his 2013 classic, “What Are You Listening To?” which he introduced as his “first song [he had] on the radio that peaked at No. 46.”

He invited Morgane back out for another special moment. The two performed “Where Rainbows Never Die,” a song from his SteelDrivers days that was written by Mike Henderson, who passed away last year.

The last 45 minutes of the show were a feast for the senses. Stapleton showed off his virtuoso pipes on “Cold,” and got the arena partying on a mash-up of “Free Bird” and “The Devil Named Music.” He touched 20,000 hearts with his iconic “Traveller,” gave the same hearts a good ache with “Fire Away” and held a feel-good sing-along with “Broken Halos.”

In the ultimate grand finale, Stapleton sang his 14-time Platinum mega-hit “Tennessee Whiskey.” Fans wouldn’t let him off the hook so soon, though, leading to a two-song encore of “Whiskey and You” and “Outlaw State of Mind.”

LB Cantrell
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