Chris Stapleton

Christopher Alvin Stapleton was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and raised in Staffordsville, Kentucky, which he says comprised mostly houses and a post office. "The Friday night football game was the big gathering of the week, then it was church on Sundays," he told The Guardian. "That was kind of it."

Stapleton grew up singing in church with his brother, who was in a popular regional band. His uncle also played guitar, and it was these family members who taught Stapleton about chords and other musical concepts.

During high school, Stapleton was more known for sports than music. He played football as a linebacker and fullback, and sports took up a lot of his time.