As of January 2026 Chris Stapleton’s Tennessee Whiskey is officially the first country song in history to be certified as Double Diamond. No other country artist has ever reached this 20 times Platinum mark. He did it without a radio edit.
This history-making run began at the 2015 CMA Awards. Chris stood on stage with Justin Timberlake and delivered memeorable performance. He took an old song and turned it into a masterpiece. His wife, Morgane, also stood by his side providing the perfect harmony.
Chris Stapleton, Justin Timberlake – Tennessee Whiskey / Drink You Away | CMA Awards 2015
One viewer said this performance is the reason they started listening to country music again. Another fan wrote that this is the best eight minutes in the history of award shows.
That one night turned into a decade of dominance on the music charts. The show led to a massive spike in digital sales. Later, Chris moved from that loud stage to the quiet of the studio to give the world a permanent version. He kept the recording simple to match the feeling of the live show.
Chris Stapleton – Tennessee Whiskey (Official Audio)
The studio version is what pushed him to the 20 million sales mark. It features a slow beat and a deep bass that lets his vocals take center stage. It is a clean recording that focuses on the grit in his voice and the soft touch of his wife’s harmony.
Chris Stapleton is now a member of a tiny elite group of artists with Double-Diamond records. Even with all this fame, he is a humble man who lets his music do all the talking. Follow Chris Stapleton on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. He is a true legend who is just getting started.