Chris Stapleton Discusses Country Music, Waffle House, And More During ‘60 Minutes’ Interview

Chris Stapleton was a featured guest on 60 Minutes, which aired this past Sunday. The Profile Piece featured an NFL playoff lead-in, and found the country singer honest and vulnerable in discussing his life and career.

Stapleton touched on a number of topics with interviewer Sharyn Alfonsi, beginning with his views on where he fits within the country music landscape.

“When people don’t want to label me something other than a country singer—you know, I don’t probably sing like a traditional country singer you know, but, ultimately, I’m me,” he explained. “And I’m just trying to be the best version of that that I can be. And whether that’s playing a song that leans into blues or a song that leans into R&B or a song that leans into really distinctly outlaw country. I love all that music. And I don’t feel limited to playing one type of song.”

Stapleton also explored his approach to songwriting, revealing that he still constantly tweaks his approach. “I don’t think I ever know that,” he said regarding when he knows if a song is done. “The win is finishing the song. And there are a lot of songwriters who will claim that they know. ‘Yeah, I knew this—when we wrote this one that it was a six-week number one. And—and I was gonna get a big giant check in the mail,’ I really just think those guys are full of s——t,” he explained, before adding, “I don’t think anybody knows that. Like, you can’t possibly know how everybody’s gonna feel about a song that you write. That’s impossible to know. I don’t trust computer research or phone surveys or anything like that. You have to take it to the people. I trust people. And I trust people who have taste.”

Last month, UMG Nashville’s President, Cindy Mabe, and Executive VP/A&R, Brian Wright, presented Chris Stapleton with a prestigious Diamond plaque in recognition of “Tennessee Whiskey” surpassing 10 million units sold. The presentation took place at Stapleton’s second of two sold-out shows at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in December.

Listen to the best of Chris Stapleton on Apple Music and Spotify.