Chris Stapleton is probably not the first name that comes to mind when you think of Justin Timberlake, but boy, do the odd couple have some major chemistry. This pair showed this off during a roof-raising performance of the country tune “Tennessee Whiskey” at Timberlake’s show at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
The pop icon invited the country star to sing and play guitar on the song, which is a favorite cover of Stapleton’s, often appearing in his live sets. The pair opened the song with a guitar jam, before Stapleton took the opening verse, and you better believe the man can sing. They sang the chorus together, then Timberlake took the second verse. Unsurprisingly, the pop star added a pop and R&B touch to the classic, which contrasted perfectly with Stapleton’s bluesy croon.
Despite it being the pop star’s show, Timberlake was a real class act, allowing Stapleton to shine on the lead vocal for most of the song, and Kentucky’s favorite son certainly did not let him down. Stapleton also proved himself to be a dab hand on the six-string by opening the song with a tasteful lead break.
Fans were loving the collaboration, adding comments below the video such as “Stapleton sings like it’s as natural for him as talking. He really is as smooth as Tennessee whiskey” and “Something magical happens when Justin and Chris sing together. They need to do more.” The pair also brought down the house together with “Say Something” live on Jimmy Fallon.
Timberlake and Stapleton met through mutual friends and kicked off their musical collaboration at the 2015 CMA Awards, where they sang “Tennessee Whiskey” and Timberlake’s “Drink You Away”. This high-profile performance helped put Stapleton on the map nationally, and it’s been nothing but upward progress since then.
Timberlake and Stapleton then worked together again on their 2018 single “Say Something”, which was the third single from the pop star’s fifth studio album, Man of the Woods. Both singers got involved in the writing process, and the song became a worldwide hit, picking up a three times Platinum certification in the US.
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