Songwriter Chris Stapleton proves less can be more
Chris Stapleton’s bold but simple plan pays off for himself and his fans
band shell with lights. “While it looks like some science fiction piece, it’s a giant diffuser that controls frequency and stage volume,” Stapleton says.
He doesn’t use in-ear monitors, those ear buds that allow artists to hear the music, preferring monitors placed on the stage. The stage allows him to better project his music to the seats in the back of the arena.
“I am not trying to make the biggest, most elaborate, pyrotechnic show,” Stapleton said. “I am trying to make the show that sounds the best, or best represents what we do onstage. It’s all from a sound perspective for me, and then the visual has to fall in line.”
Singer-songwriter Kendell Marvel met Stapleton 15 years ago, back when the Kentucky-bred Stapleton was a clean-shaven new songwriter with a short, flat-top haircut.
They have written some 60 songs together, including songs cut by Blake Shelton, Lee Ann Womack and Josh Turner.
Marvel, who co-wrote Either Way as well as two other songs on From A Room: Volume 2, said the husband-and-wife harmony is key to their music. Morgane, also a songwriter, adds just the right touch of sweetness and softness to Stapleton’s volume and range.
“When you take her out of the equation, he would not be Chris Stapleton,” Marvel said. “She is to him and his guitar playing what harmonica player Mickey Raphael is to Willie Nelson.”