The question at last night’s CMA Awards show was definitely “Who is Chris Stapleton?” He was up for 3 of the biggest awards last night, New Artist, Album, and Male Vocalist, and swept in every category, plus let’s not forget he had one of the most talked about performances with Justin Timberlake.

He may have been considered the underdog, but every underdog has their day and when he won for “New Artist Of The Year”, which I was certain Sam Hunt would get, people said “Who the hell is this guy?”

Chris is a songwriting veteran who has written over 150 songs for people like Luke Bryan (who ended up winning Entertain of the Year again), Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, and more. In 2013 he decided to start writings songs for himself.

Shortly after his win for New Artist, which he shyly accepted, he took the stage with the one and only Justin Timberlake and blew everyone away! It was like he came alive on stage and blossomed with Justin, first singing a version of George Jones’ “Tennessee Whiskey”  and next singing with Justin on “Drink You Away”. Both were phenomenal and proved Chris’s ability to sing better than anyone!

Miranda Lambert, who won Female vocalist of the Year, even commented that she needed to go home and “practice” because she was blown away by their performance.

The biggest shock of the night might have been his win for Male Vocalist of the Year. Not because he didn’t deserve it, but because some considered his successes this year less than that of Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton and Eric Church.

I love a genuine acceptance speech. I also love that Miranda Lambert coincidentally took the stage in a Stapleton t-shirt, while her ex husband came up empty handed, losing the award to the same guy whose name was splashed across his ex wife’s chest.

Everyone has their own opinion, and I for one am happy Chris Stapleton won!

By: Faith Rinker