#16 of 25
· Cratewise Editorial
Traveller
Chris Stapleton
Year
2015
Genre
Country/AmericanaLabel
Mercury Nashville
Format
Vinyl LP
“The album that reminded mainstream country what a real voice sounds like. 'Tennessee Whiskey' live at the CMAs made him a star. The vinyl pressing is warm and punchy.”
Chris Stapleton is a Kentucky-born country artist who emerged as a major force in modern country music following the release of his debut album 'Traveller' in 2015. Before his solo breakthrough, Stapleton had established himself as a respected songwriter in Nashville, penning hits for artists like Luke Bryan and Adele. His powerful baritone voice and traditional country sound quickly earned him critical acclaim and multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for 'From A Room: Volume 1' (2017). He has continued to release successful albums including 'From A Room: Volume 2' (2017) and 'Starting Over' (2023), maintaining a classic country approach with influences from soul, gospel, and rock that resonates with both traditional and contemporary country fans.
Style
Stapleton's music is rooted in traditional country with deep soul and blues influences, characterized by his distinctive baritone vocals and guitar-driven arrangements. His sound emphasizes emotional authenticity and organic instrumentation, avoiding modern pop-country production trends.
Significance
Chris Stapleton represents a significant shift toward traditional country values in the 2010s, appealing to vinyl collectors seeking substantive, guitar-based country music. His albums are highly sought after on vinyl for their warm analog production quality and his role in revitalizing interest in authentic country craftsmanship.
Chris Stapleton's debut album "Traveller" was recorded primarily at the RCA Studio A in Nashville between 2013 and 2014, with producer Dave Cobb at the helm. Cobb's minimalist approach complemented Stapleton's raw, bluesy country sound, capturing performances that felt live and unpolished. Stapleton had spent over a decade as a session musician and songwriter in Nashville—penning hits for artists like George Jones and Lynyrd Skynyrd—before stepping into the spotlight himself. The album features his wife Morgane as a backing vocalist and co-writer on several tracks, including the standout "Tennessee Whiskey." Recorded with a lean band approach that emphasized Stapleton's distinctive baritone and fingerstyle guitar work, "Traveller" represents a conscious return to traditional country authenticity after years of pop-influenced commercial trends.
Historical Context
Released in November 2015, "Traveller" arrived at a pivotal moment when country radio was beginning to show fatigue with trap-influenced production and diluted mainstream sounds. The album was initially overlooked by radio programmers, but gained momentum through word-of-mouth and streaming platforms. Its breakthrough came when Stapleton's 2015 CMA Awards performance—an impromptu duet with Justin Timberlake—created viral buzz. The album subsequently climbed charts and eventually achieved multi-platinum status, revitalizing interest in acoustic, soulful country music. It won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album in 2016, validating the appetite among listeners for substantive, traditionally-rooted country.
Pressing Notes
The original vinyl pressing of "Traveller" was released on 180-gram black vinyl by Mercury Records. Early pressings are highly sought after by collectors, particularly first editions from 2015-2016. The album has received multiple reissues, including audiophile-grade pressings on 180g and 200g vinyl. Collectors should note that pressing quality can vary; earlier Mercury pressings tend to have better sound quality than later reissues. The gatefold artwork featuring Stapleton in authentic Americana style is consistent across editions. Vinyl copies maintain strong value on the secondary market due to the album's cultural significance and continued collector demand.
Purgatory
Tyler Childers
Features the same raw, soulful country-soul fusion with deeply personal songwriting and Childers' weathered vocal delivery that defines Stapleton's appeal.
Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
Sturgill Simpson
Shares Stapleton's commitment to authentic country roots with bluesy, introspective lyrics and a rich, vintage production sound ideal for vinyl.
Songs of the Plains
Colter Wall
Delivers sparse, folk-influenced country with introspective narratives and a baritone voice that resonates with Stapleton's bluesy country sensibility.
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