Chris Stapleton @ Riverbend Music Center 9/8/17

By: Derek Jung

There are few modern country stars that I can, without any shame, say that I am a fan. Chris Stapleton just happens to be one of them. I've been a fan of his since he broke onto the scene under his own name with his debut album Traveler. Stapleton, who had been writing for Nashville superstars for years, proved that he could be his own star and amassed a number of yearly awards for the release. Earlier this summer he released his sophomore album, From A Room: Volume 1, a collection of soulful country ballads that we at The Busted Amp thoroughly enjoyed. Friday night brought a good mix of both, as well as a number of great covers.

Chris Stapleton looks like a southern outlaw. Bearded, with long hair and a cowboy hat, his presence on stage immediately draws your attention. His voice demands it. The show began with the mood setting single "Might As Well Get Stoned", an apt description to the amount of smoke that was rising from the crowd all around us. It was a down home country throwdown, and the sold out crowd at Riverbend Music Center ate it all up.

It was also a sad night for country fans, as country legends Don Williams and Troy Gentry passed away earlier that day. To honor their memories, Stapleton played two Don WIlliams covers during the encore and introed a snippet of Montgomery Gentry's "Hillbilly Shoes" before "Nobody to Blame".

Stapleton is on the road through the middle of November. Check him out if you get the chance.

SETLIST

Might As Well Get Stoned
Nobody to Blame (intro of Hillbilly Shoes by Montgomery Gentry)
Broken Halos
Midnight Train to Memphis
Hard Livin'
Them Stems
Trying to Untangle My Mind
I Was Wrong
Whiskey and You
More of You
Parachute
Outlaw State of Mind
Death Row
Tuesday's Gone (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
The Devil Named Music
Traveller
Fire Away
Second One To Know
Tennessee Whiskey

Encore
Amanda (Don Williams cover)
Tulsa Time (Don Williams cover)
Sometimes I Cry