Chris Stapleton is instantly recognizable by his distinguished and dense beard and his trademark cowboy hat. The songwriter who wrote songs like “Whiskey and You” for Tim McGraw and “Drink a Beer” for Luke Bryan, along with a catalog of other hits for top-tier artists in Country Music, was content with songwriting as “the greatest job in the world.” The world wanted more from Chris Stapleton than just incredible songs after seeing him tear down the house with Justin Timberlake at the November 2015 CMA Awards. Their seminal performance of “Tennessee Whiskey/Drink You Away” opened millions of new eyes and ears to Chris Stapleton, and transformed his life forever.

Chris Stapleton and his wife and partner in harmony, Morgane, are celebrating news of his three Grammy nominations this week for “From A Room: Vol. 1.” The recognition from the music world is only part of the reason the Stapleton family is overjoyed. The second “From A Room” collection releases this week and another even more pressing project are in the works. Chris and Morgane Stapleton sat down with Willie Geist for “Sunday Today,” and detailed how their love and belief in one another has brought them to this beautiful time in life.

Many abilities, one calling

Chris Stapleton doesn't fit the familiar pattern of the artist who stumbles into music. As a youth, the son of a coal miner in Kentucky excelled in many areas.

He played football, he was valedictorian of his class and stayed busy with many other endeavors, including learning “some things” on the guitar from an uncle. The songwriter never felt any kind of “music switch” trigger within him, but the call of the muse was clearly evident. After coming to Nashville in 2001, within three days, Chris Stapleton had a publishing deal for his songs, and he thought life could not get any better.

Stapleton self-effacingly says he came to music out of wanting to avoid any other career, and that very quality of “working man's honesty” is a huge component of what millions hear in his music now.

Another blessing that came from Stapleton’s regular songwriting gig was meeting Morgane, who admits that “we kind of hung around the same publishing house.” One Friday evening lasted until sunrise Saturday morning with a collaboration that yielded “about half a song,” in the couple’s estimation.

Creativity and kismet came together, and Chris and Morgane have been married for a decade, and have shared the stage, a home, and the tour bus, all while raising two young children. In October, the Stapleton’s announced that they were expecting twins, and both expectant parents were beaming at the 2017 CMA Awards.

From ‘Beer’ to being happy

Without provocation or much time to think, Chris Stapleton shares his view that “songs go out into the world, they come back, and find meaning.” Such instantaneous, philosophical reflection is a reality for the man because he has lived it. Long before the 6000% rise in sales that followed for his album, “Traveller” after the medley with Timberlake, the inspiration for the album itself came amidst a road trip after his father's death.

Another song, “Drink a Beer,” came to represent much more than a massive hit for Luke Bryan, centering around the time he lost both a brother and a sister and became an adoptive guardian to his nephews. During a performance of the song on stage, Bryan turned to Stapleton in thanks for sharing the song in such a timely period following his own father's passing. That gesture of grace moved the songwriter to tears and made him sense the power of song.

Morgane has never been surprised by the depth of her husband's gifts. Her mantra to her core has always been that “one day, the world's gonna know” everything she has always known about the power of her husband songs. “It's authentic, it's genuine,” she assures of everything that pulses from any of his stage performances.

She continues to say that everything that is in his “makeup” to write or sing a song overtakes him, and makes him “outshine the sun.” The superlative praise causes a blush to come over Stapleton's face, along with a “Thank you, Honey,” as Morgane affirms, “I think you are a very bright star.”

A father's affirmation is the most meaningful that any son can receive. Before his death, Chris Stapleton's father offered the ultimate gesture of approval and love to Chris, letting him know that Alan Jackson was moved from his near-permanent place in the dad’s music collection in his truck. Chris Stapleton moved into that prized place, just behind Merle Haggard, and he relates, “I'm just fine with that.”

Fatherhood has certainly brought joy to Chris Stapleton.

“I laughed for 20 minutes,” gushes the star after receiving news of his twins. “It's more like he giggled for 25 minutes,” Morgane interjects. Whatever the length of the giddy interlude, it's no wonder that the artist describes that the music on his just-released collection focuses on “much happier” music. The songs will likely serve as perfect lullabies for the Stapleton clan.
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