Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” Makes History as Country’s First Double Diamond Hit
- All Country News
- 50 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Chris Stapleton didn’t just sing his way into history, he slow-burned it, one gravel-kissed note at a time.
Nearly a decade after it first drifted onto country radio, “Tennessee Whiskey” has officially become the first country song ever certified RIAA Double Diamond, surpassing 20 million units sold in the United States. It’s a staggering milestone, not just for Stapleton, but for the genre itself, a reminder that country music’s most powerful moments often arrive quietly, then stay forever.
Released in 2015, Stapleton’s version of “Tennessee Whiskey” didn’t chase trends or radio formulas. Instead, it leaned into restraint. A languid tempo. A soul-soaked groove. A vocal performance that felt less like a recording and more like a confession whispered after last call. In an era obsessed with immediacy, Stapleton trusted patience and listeners followed.
The result? A song that crossed generations, formats, and expectations. “Tennessee Whiskey” became a wedding staple, a late-night jukebox favorite, a viral streaming juggernaut, and a masterclass in how authenticity still cuts through the noise. It didn’t just succeed; it endured.
RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier summed up the moment succinctly, praising Stapleton’s “undeniable vocal grit and storytelling” and noting the rare connection the song forged with fans. That connection, raw, unpolished, and deeply human is the true currency behind the certification.
Diamond plaques don’t happen without devotion, and Double Diamond doesn’t happen without legacy. For Stapleton, the honor is simply the latest chapter in a career defined by substance over spectacle. A perennial awards-season fixture and one of modern country’s most revered voices, he continues to bridge classic soul, outlaw country, and Southern rock with effortless authority. His songs don’t beg for attention; they command it.
That command will be on full display as Stapleton carries his “All-American Road Show” through the fall, hitting some of the most iconic venues in North America, including Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, Detroit’s Ford Field, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Toronto’s Rogers Stadium, and Boston’s Fenway Park. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 16 at 10 a.m. local time, with full details available at chrisstapleton.com/tour.
In a genre built on storytelling, “Tennessee Whiskey” stands as a reminder that the best stories don’t rush the ending. They linger. They deepen. And sometimes, if they’re honest enough, they make history.
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