It started as a normal chat between Late Show host Stephen Colbert and country singer Chris Stapleton. A few minutes later, they were turning a quiet TV studio into a mini soul concert that nobody saw coming.
He laughed about bourbon, told stories about his wife Morgane producing the record, and even shared what it was like to get a phone call from Dolly Parton out of the blue. It already felt special, because you could tell Colbert was a real fan, not just a host reading cue cards.
Then Colbert asked about Chris growing up singing harmony in church with his brother. One small memory turned into a huge moment. Colbert quietly suggested a Sam Cooke song, and Chris said yes before the crowd even finished cheering.
Chris Stapleton Talks Whiskey, Dolly Parton, And Harmonizes On Some Sam Cooke With Stephen Colbert
The same night, on the same stage, Stapleton walks back out with his band and his wife, Morgane, to sing “What Am I Gonna Do” from his album Higher. It is the performance he promised at the end of the interview, now fully lit and framed for national TV. The harmonies you just heard in a quiet duet swell into a slow burning country soul ballad.
Chris Stapleton – What Am I Gonna Do (Live on The Late Show)
If you want to see how far that sound can travel, follow the same story to the 59th ACM Awards performance of “Think I’m In Love With You.” Here, the chemistry and slow burning groove of the album step onto a much bigger stage as Chris trades lines with global pop star Dua Lipa. The song stays rooted in country, soul, and blues, but it suddenly feels bigger than any one genre.