Chris Stapleton on Lifechanging Performance with Justin Timberlake & Game of Thrones Cameo

TL;DR

Chris Stapleton discusses his new album "Starting Over" and memorable career highlights.

Transcript

our next guest is a country music singer and songwriter with five grammys seven acms and ten cma awards this is his new album it's called starting over it just came out about 10 minutes ago from nashville please welcome chris stapleton hello chris i'm doing well how are you doing you know what um i'm sorry i just yeah no go ahead tell me how you're... Read More

Key Insights

• ⌛ Chris Stapleton released "Starting Over," an album reflecting both personal and collective experiences during challenging times.
• 😮 His unexpected rise to fame began with a pivotal performance alongside Justin Timberlake, significantly altering his trajectory in country music.
• 💀 The album contains varied emotional tones, tackling themes of anger due to societal issues, hope for renewal, and coping with change.
• 🧑‍🎨 Stapleton's comedic take on his "Game of Thrones" role underscores the unpredictability of fame and the unusual moments artists can experience.
• 😀 The concept of "starting over" resonates throughout the album, presenting an optimistic lens given the struggles faced in modern life.
• 🤩 Collaborating with talented musicians like Mike Campbell is key for Stapleton in crafting meaningful songwriting.
• 🧑‍🎨 The COVID-19 pandemic brought unique challenges to artists, impacting their art, performances, and promotional activities.

Questions & Answers

Q: What insights does Chris Stapleton provide regarding the inspiration for his album "Starting Over"?

Chris Stapleton explains that the album's title reflects a hopeful outlook for new beginnings, especially in light of major life changes, including the pandemic and canceled shows. The sequencing of the title track as the album opener underscores this theme, suggesting a narrative of resilience and starting afresh amidst chaos.

Q: How did Chris Stapleton's collaboration with Justin Timberlake impact his career?

Stapleton detailed how his emotional performance alongside Justin Timberlake at the CMAs launched his career significantly. Following the performance, he experienced an influx of sold-out shows and greater public recognition, which he described as a drastic and transformative shift in his professional life.

Q: Can you elaborate on the song "Watch You Burn" and its context?

"Watch You Burn" is a powerful reaction to the tragic Las Vegas mass shooting at a country music festival. Stapleton felt a deep anger and sadness about such violence and collaborated with Mike Campbell to express these feelings through their songwriting, ultimately creating a poignant track addressing the global issue of gun violence.

Q: What did Chris Stapleton reveal about his unique experience on "Game of Thrones"?

Stapleton humorously shared his experience as an extra on "Game of Thrones," illustrating how he attempted to be part of the iconic show as a joke to his manager. Though he did not see himself on screen during the intense battle episode, his wife’s keen eye allowed her to spot him, adding a comical outcome to his cameo.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chris Stapleton recently released his album "Starting Over," which reflects his experiences during the pandemic, featuring songs inspired by both anger and hope.

• His career skyrocketed after a performance with Justin Timberlake at the CMAs, which drastically changed his life and brought him widespread recognition.

• Stapleton humorously recounted his experience being an extra in "Game of Thrones," including his interactions with the cast and his fleeting moment of fame.