Chris Stapleton & Justin Timberlake: "Tennessee Whiskey"

Timberlake Stapleton

The Country Music Association Awards this year featured an unexpected duet showstopper with Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake joining forces. The two performed “Tennessee Whiskey” and Timberlake’s “Drink You Away.” Stapleton also surprised many by winning Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year awards.

The breakout appearance on the CMA Awards is making Stapleton a new household name as he only recently released his debut album Traveller (2015). But he has been around a while. Although he was born and raised in Kentucky, the 37-year-old singer-songwriter moved in 2001 to Nashville, where he has written best-selling songs for other artists like George Strait. Notably, he co-wrote Josh Turner’s hit song “Your Man.”

Stapleton has been performing for awhile too. And from 2008 to 2010, he was the lead singer in the bluegrass band the SteelDrivers. After starting a Southern rock band called The Jompson Brothers, Stapleton went on his own in 2013.

But Stapleton’s work this week with another artist, Justin Timberlake, may help make him more of a household name. Stapleton and Timberlake have been friends for awhile. And the two talked of performing together even before the CMA show came along.

Check out Stapleton and Timberlake giving a soulful CMA performance of “Tennessee Whiskey,” a song from Stapleton’s Traveller album.