MARYLAND HEIGHTS 鈥 A sea of cowboy boots stomped across the asphalt Friday night as fans made their way to Chris Stapleton鈥檚 sold-out All-American Road Show.
It was a performance fueled by vocal flexing from Stapleton, brilliant musicianship and intense emotion as the 11-time Grammy Award winner ran through decades of country hits.
However, transitions between songs were choppy, and Stapleton鈥檚 vocals sounded muffled at times.
Stapleton ran through his 25-song setlist with ease, performing fan-favorites from his career beginnings, new tracks and even records from his stint with bluegrass band the SteelDrivers.
Each song was performed in its entirety, and he kicked off the two-hour show with 鈥淏ad As I Used To Be,鈥 a featured track on the 鈥淔1鈥 soundtrack and Stapleton鈥檚 first solo release since his 2023 album 鈥淗igher.鈥
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A night of country crooning, bluegrass boldness and raw guitar grit followed.
With a stage design illuminated by 400 dancing luminaires, Opry-red curtains and rounded, color-changing platforms for the organist and steel guitarist, Stapleton was a still, stoic figure throughout the set. He commanded attention with his voice, remaining stationary at the microphone stand as his vocals vibrated through the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in Maryland Heights.
Chris Stapleton, left, and Post Malone perform "California Sober" Wednesday during the 58th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.聽The country traditionalist Stapleton, who dominated many of the genre's awards shows in recent years, won both single and song of the year for 鈥淲hite Horse,鈥 scoring something of an upset in both categories over Post Malone and Morgan Wallen's 鈥淚 Had Some Help,鈥 which led to Malone getting four nominations and helped Wallen get seven coming into the show.
The Lexington, Kentucky, star is a master of effortless vocal performances. His howling vibrato pierced the night air during 鈥淢idnight Train to Memphis.鈥 The bass thumped loudly as he sang 鈥淧补谤补肠丑耻迟别鈥 with ease, barely parting his lips to release a blaring, beautiful sound. His vocal prowess flowed freely on 鈥淓ither Way,鈥 delivering a sweet, slow solo rendition that felt poetic and intimate in a crowd of thousands.
After performing the first six songs straight through, Stapleton paused briefly to welcome the audience. He then set the expectation that the concert would be filled with as much music playing as possible.
鈥淚鈥檓a do very little talking tonight,鈥 Stapleton said.
He delivered on his promise, transforming into an old, country music jukebox almost as if he were born to alchemize stories into songs.
However, the lack of crowd engagement between songs resulted in subtle, awkward pauses as Stapleton and the band tuned and swapped out instruments before starting the next tracks. Although these were perfect moments for anecdotes and song insight, Stapleton made it clear that conversation wasn鈥檛 on the set list.
Chris Stapleton
He delivered an expressive and gentle declaration of love on 鈥淚t Takes a Woman,鈥 closing his eyes as he crooned and a cool breeze swept across the amphitheater. Soft rock undertones shone through as he delivered a high-energy performance of 鈥淲hite Horse.鈥
The audience swayed as Stapleton鈥檚 raspy voice carried them through the emotional highs and lows of 鈥淪ometimes I Cry.鈥 During his rendition of Kevin Welch鈥檚 鈥淢illionaire,鈥 a woman in the crowd wrapped her arm around her husband鈥檚 waist, squeezed tight and whispered, 鈥淥h, this is our wedding song.鈥
Stapleton鈥檚 skills as a guitarist shone just as bright as the fluorescent bulbs running along the stage鈥檚 perimeter. Explosive riffs and epic solos were a highlight of the show, garnering roaring cheers from the audience on songs like 鈥淲orry B Gone鈥 and 鈥淣obody to Blame.鈥
The show鈥檚 climax came during 鈥淚 Was Wrong,鈥 with Stapleton switching to electric guitar and the band rocking out in harmony. While some vocals during the verse seemed unintelligible, it heightened the intensity and anticipation of the bigger vocals on the chorus.
Before the song ended, Stapleton engaged in musical banter with bassist J.T. Cure. They traded riffs in a frenzy as if they were racing to the finish line. The performance was steeped in soulfulness and smothered in feeling.
His effortless performance abilities trickled down through each band member. Keyboardist Lee Pardini delivered strummed heartstrings with his passionate, organ solo on 鈥淲hat Am I Gonna Do.鈥 Renowned steel guitarist Paul Franklin graced the stage with his presence, concluding 鈥淢ight As Well Get Stoned鈥 with a brilliant, melodic cry. Harmonica player Mickey Raphael bent time with his instrument, teleporting the crowd to a juke joint each time he blew.
Chris Stapleton, left, and Morgane Stapleton attend the world premiere of "F1 The Movie" in Times Square on Monday, June 16, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
The seven-piece band, which included Stapleton鈥檚 wife, Morgane, on background vocals, grooved on stage like playing together was second nature.
A moment came during 鈥淭hink I鈥檓 in Love With You鈥 when the bass drum volume overpowered Stapleton and Morgane鈥檚 vocals. However, the issue was resolved quickly with soulful, bluesy cymbals adding spice to the more upbeat rendition.
Stapleton concluded the night with his 17-time platinum hit 鈥淭ennessee Whiskey.鈥 The crowd began screaming before the country chart topper could even strum the first few notes. He allowed them to sing along to the song they all knew and loved, a wave of nostalgia as warm as a glass of Scotch washing over them as they swayed under the moonlight.
After bidding farewell and leaving the stage, Stapleton and his band returned for an encore of 鈥淥utlaw State of Mind.鈥 Morgane threw her blond hair back and forth as she rocked with her husband. Country-rock madness took over the stage, and the lights oscillated, bouncing between hues as Stapleton delivered a strong finish to a night of stellar musicianship.
