It’s long overdue. This Chris Stapleton article is not for those who are over Chris Stapleton. Over the last few years, there has been a lot of Chris Stapleton slander, especially around the CMA Awards. Given that Stapleton is just shy of having 20 CMA Awards to his name, many feel that he’s over-rewarded for his talents, and to that I say… Have you heard this man sing? There’s a reason he’s won Male Vocalist of the Year eight times, folks. Not to mention that Stapleton spent many years working behind the scenes in the music industry long before his breakout as a solo artist, making his achievements very deserved. Before he became one of country music’s most soulful voices, he was already a songwriting powerhouse behind the scenes in Nashville, working with the bluegrass group, The SteelDrivers. He also played with a southern rock band called the Jompson Brothers. After moving there from his hometown of Paintsville, Kentucky, in 2001, Stapleton signed a publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music, and it didn’t take long for him to start making his mark. In those early years, he wrote hundreds of songs for other artists, quietly becoming one of the most in-demand writers in town. Stapleton is responsible for crafting hits for big names like Kenny Chesney (“Never Wanted Nothing More”), George Strait (“Love’s Gonna Make It Alright”), and Darius Rucker (“Come Back Song”) — all before most people even knew his name. Stapleton was known for his raw, soulful writing style, often blending country storytelling with influences from blues and Southern rock. Even then, his peers recognized his rare combination of grit and heart, and they knew he was one of the best vocalists in the game. Dierks Bentley famously called him the “best singer in the world” way back in 2010. But there is another song from the vault I am still holding out for… and this one comes from 2006. Back in 2006, Chris Stapleton took the stage at Sandy Beaches Cruise 12 for a knockout performance of an original song called “Treat You Right.” Written by Chris himself, it was recorded by a band called Sixtyfourwest for an EP of the same name back in 2011, but other than that, we haven’t really heard it anywhere else. The steamy love song follows the lines of many of the love songs we know and love from Stapleton today, but it’s got a little extra spice on it as the lyrics talk about loving a woman right. Interpret that as you will, but it leans more into those warm and fuzzy feelings that are formed during intimate moments, and Stapleton is expressing how much this woman means to him in these lyrics. “I don’t wanna move too fast I just want to take things slow And if you let me take my time I’ll go where you want to go Let these arms just hold you tight I just want to treat you right Ain’t no way this love is wrong With the way I feel tonight Would you let me love you all night long I just want to treat you right…” Stapleton’s vocals were just as stellar nearly a decade before his 2015 debut album, Traveller, as they are today. He’s always been an out-of-this-world talent. It’s been almost 20 years since we’ve heard this tune… It’s about time we get a studio cut of this gem. Fire it up: The post I’m Still Hoping Chris Stapleton Blesses Us With A Studio Cut Of His Unreleased Gem, “Treat You Right” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

A beautiful moment. As one of the best and brightest stars flying out of Oklahoma in the red dirt scene, it’s hard to point to a more important artist in the genre right now than Wyatt Flores. After breaking out back in 2023 thanks to the continued success of his 2022 platinum single, “Please Don’t Go,” and other viral hits such as “Losing Sleep” and “Break My Bones,” the 24-year-old singer/songwriter stunned everyone upon the release of his debut album, Welcome To The Plains, last October. If there’s one thing that can be gathered throughout Flores’ journey as both an artist and human being, it’s the simple fact that he has a huge heart. Whether it’s his intense focus on mental health, notably taking a break from touring earlier this year and sharing his battles through tracks such as “I Believe in God” and “Oh Susannah,” or his reverence for his homestate of Oklahoma, it’s clear that the “Milwaukee” singer never forgets to show love to those closest to him. That was put on full display recently when Flores performed the Turnpike Troubadours‘ classic, “Diamonds & Gasoline,” during his best friend’s wedding over the weekend. Taking to Instagram today, Flores would congratulate both Conner and Kayli Powell in a post highlighting moments from the wedding. In the caption, the Oklahoma native would reflect on the impact the couple have had on him the past four years they’ve known each other, noting that he wouldn’t be the same person without them. “Congratulations to the Powell’s who have been my best friends for the last four years it’s been incredible to watch them meet each other, fall in love, and choose forever together. I would not be who I am without them and I am so grateful to have them in my life and to be a part of theirs.” View this post on Instagram Last night, however, he also uploaded his heartfelt performance of “Diamonds & Gasoline” during the Powell’s first dance, and it was nothing short of spectacular. View this post on Instagram Of course, “Diamonds & Gasoline” has often been named one of Turnpike’s signature songs in their discography. Penned independently by frontman, Evan Felker, the track appears on their 2010 debut album of the same name. And while it’s hard to point to where the song peaks due to Felker’s world-class songwriting, it’s hard to argue that the chorus, which is exactly what Flores himself uploaded in the Instagram post, isn’t one of the most poignant depictions of love and dedication found in any track produced in the 21st century. “And I would buy for you a diamondOr myself some gasolineIf I can’t afford you darlin’Then I can’t afford to dreamAnd is it time I should be movin’?Is it time I settle down?Will I sit still or will I feel the wheels a-spinnin’ ’round?” It’s hard to even imagine the emotions that both Wyatt, Conner and Kayli were all going through during the moment. It’s safe to say, however, that hearing your best friend perform one of the finest love songs ever written during your first dance is a hard moment to ever top. While you’re here, fire up Turnpike’s timeless original version. Wyatt Flores Tour Dates December 2 – Nashville, Tennessee – Grand Ole Opry December 11 – Stateline, Nevada – Tahoe Blue Event Center December 13 – Mesa, Arizona – Mesa AmphitheaterThe post Wyatt Flores Delivers Heartfelt Cover of Turnpike Troubadours’ “Diamonds & Gasoline” At Best Friend’s Wedding first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Let’s play some Holdin’ it or Lovin’ It, spoiler we want all the ham and mashed potatoes.

A life changer. It’s hard to point to a hotter band in country music today than The Red Clay Strays. If you’ve been paying any attention to the alt. country scene over the past few years, you’ve surely been aware of that they were bound for superstardom. Since their debut in 2022 with Moment of Truth, which contains the smash hit, “Wondering Why,” Red Clay has all but flown up the ranks in the alt. country scene. Between frontman Brandon Coleman’s killer vocals, the flawless blend of country, gospel, roots and southern rock influences and the sheer musical talent present from each of the five members, it was more than apparent that the Alabama group was bound to break out into the stratosphere at some point sooner or later. Thankfully for everyone who has been championing their music over the past three years (including us here at Whiskey Riff), 2025 has proven to be the big break that plenty of us were expecting. Of course, Red Clay had already scored some major milestones in the past, winning Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2024 Americana Awards, winning New Vocal Duo or Group at the 2025 ACM Awards and scoring a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the aforementioned “Wondering Why.” This past week, however, it seems as if the Alabama band cemented themselves as mainstays both in the minds of alternative country fans and the mainstream alike with their huge night at the 59th annual CMA Awards, delivering a killer performance of their current single, “People Hatin'” before dethroning Old Dominion as Vocal Group of the Year en route to their first ever CMA win. It’s safe to say that the future is nearly indescribably bright for Red Clay, with more eyes on them than ever before and some major shows such as Madison Square Garden and the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville up ahead in 2026. With that being said, however, in a recent interview with Variety, they’d also reflect on the past that led them to where they are today. As stated earlier, “Wondering Why” was truly the song that set everything in motion for Red Clay. Beyond the simple fact that the track itself is nothing short of phenomenal, showcasing the strengths of the band that had been apparent to those who had followed them early in their career, it was nothing short of a phenomenon online. Currently having over 426 million streams on Spotify alone, the aforementioned platinum status by the RIAA and a staggering 105,000 unique video uses on TikTok, the song has been a game changer. The entire band would also point to “Wondering Why” as the game changer as well. When asked about it, frontman, Brandon Coleman would note how its virality on TikTok helped propel its success, while bassist, Andrew Bishop, would joke and call Red Clay a “TikTok band.” Drew Nix, Red Clay’s lead guitarist, would expand on just how much the song means to not only him but the band itself. Being the main writer on the track, along with Dan Couch and Coleman, Nix would explain that the song meant even more to him given that he wrote it for his wife. Additionally, he’d note that track changed their lives. “That’s really what got us out of the barrooms and door deals and stuff like that. It’s changed our lives completely. It’s cool to me because that song means something to me, too. I wrote it about my wife when I was in the room. It’s not specifically about her, the whole song, but to me, it’s what I give to her. So it’s cool how that’s all happened. Bishop would also go on to say how many casual listeners think that the band was an overnight success due to “Wondering Why,” something that is inherently false given Red Clay’s long history of cutting teeth down south at small, local venues for nearly a decade. “I think a lot of people discovered us from that song, and don’t understand… A lot of people think we got popular quick , like it was an overnight success. But we’ve been doing this for a long time. We’re just dumb enough to not quit…. We’ve been doing this for eight years. That’s how long it takes. It’s crazy.” It’s safe to say that those eight long years of hard worked paid dividends for the band. You’ll often hear the phrase, “We made the right people famous,” and in Red Clay’s case, I think that applies here. Watch the full interview here: Listen up: The Red Clay Strays Tour Dates December 4-5 – Las Vegas, NV –The Theater at Virgin Hotels April 24 – Georgetown, TX – Two Step Inn 2026 May 24 – Norfolk, VA – Patriotic Fest 2026 June 13 – Columbus, OH – Buckeye Country Superfest 2026 August 9 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden October 22 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone ArenaThe post The Red Clay Strays On The Impact Their Breakout Single, “Wondering Why,” Had On Their Career: “It’s Changed Our Lives Completely” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

A lifelong struggle with a beautiful ending. With Thanksgiving coming up tomorrow, I’m sure many of us are looking forward to gathering with family and friends, watching football, and obviously, eating tons of good food. And I’m sure many of us will also take time to reflect on everything we’re thankful for, despite the ups and downs of life, as the title of the holiday suggests and encourages. In addition to being grateful for the people currently in our lives, many of us also know what it’s like to experience a holiday like this without an important loved one there to make new memories with. One country star who understands that as well as anyone is Jessi Colter, who lost her husband Waylon Jennings in February of 2002 after he passed from complications with diabetes. In a lengthy feature in the November edition of Guideposts Magazine back in 2017, Jessi shared an incredibly personal story, in her own words, about Waylon’s last Thanksgiving and how it ultimately changed his life. He famously struggled with a bad drug habit for many years, and as a young man, he abandoned the faith he had been raised with because of the harsh “fire and brimstone” sermons he grew up with. Jessi grew up the daughter of a Pentecostal preacher, as her mom had her own church near Phoenix, Arizona. At age 11, Colter became the pianist at the church, a skill that would ultimately shape her music career and life. She recalls meeting Waylon in the 60’s in Arizona at JD’s nightclub, at a time when Jessi says she had already “abandoned the faith of my childhood” as well. In October of 1969, Waylon and Jessi got married and moved to Nashville, and Waylon continued to struggle with his drug addiction. She wanted badly for her husband to quit them, obviously, but she also understood that he needed to do so in his own time and way. Waylon’s friend Johnny Cash had kicked a similarly bad habit, and he was able to kick it by going to rehab, though Jessi knew Johnny was already a Christian, and he probably had an easier time accepting that he needed help because he knew he was truly broken and needed God’s help to overcome his struggle. Waylon Finally Kicks The Drugs After much prayer on Jessi’s part (she had come back to her faith years before), in March of 1984, Waylon decided that he wanted to stop doing drugs on his own. They rented a house out in the Arizona desert, canceled everything on the calendar, and camped out there while Waylon came off of all of the drugs: “The ordeal was painful, physically and emotionally. Every bone in Waylon’s body screamed out in anguish. Later he wrote how my presence, my prayers, made a difference. Somehow he quit on his own and managed to stay sober the rest of his life.” Jessi also importantly noted of the ordeal: “Let me be clear: I do not consider Waylon’s way to sobriety a template for others. I would never encourage anyone to rely, as he did, on sheer willpower. It can be a recipe for disaster. I thank God that Waylon made it work. And that I knew enough to stay out of the way.” In the early 2,000s, the couple packed up and moved to Arizona (Jessi’s home state) from Nashville, where Waylon would live until he passed away. While Waylon was no longer on drugs, his hard living and lifestyle had taken a toll on his body, and he wasn’t in great health. He had severe leg pain due to his diabetes, and he could no longer drive, so Jessi would drive him around to their favorite spots in the desert. It caused him to reflect on many of the mistakes he’d made over the years, and Jessi recalled him feeling guilty for all the pain he’d caused other people, unable to forgive himself. With everything going on with his health, and heart, on Thanksgiving day in 2001, Jessi felt in her heart the time had come for a very real and honest conversation she’d wanted to have with him for many years. Salvation On Thanksgiving Day Being that they were married for over 30 years, Waylon always knew when Jessi had something on her mind: “‘Looks like you want to say something to me, darlin’,’ he said from his hospital bed. ‘If you’ve got something to say, go ahead and say it.’ Waylon sensed what was happening. He always did. Finally I said it. ‘Are you ready to accept the Lord?’ He grinned. ‘I knew you were going to ask that. It’s a simple question. It all comes down to one thing. Are you ready to be God’s man?’ He nodded and kept repeating, ‘God’s man.’ Then he said, ‘To become God’s man, what do I need to say?’ ‘That you accept Jesus, that you love him as he loves you, that you turn your life over to him.’” Right then and there, he did, and Jessi shared the beautiful moment they shared together in that hospital room: “Waylon said those words. I wept. He took my hand and said, ‘I love you so much.’ He had declared his love for me a million times before, but this time his tone was so vulnerable, so soft, so sweet. His sincerity thrilled my heart.” Sadly, Waylon’s already poor health continued to decline, and he passed away on February 13th, 2002. Jessi remembers his last Christmas several months before that as being “joyful,” saying he spent it with his family singing hymns and spending time together. She noticed a new confidence in him, but a far different one than the “swagger” of an outlaw country artist… “It was a new confidence—not the swagger of an outlaw country superstar, running onstage to the cheers of a hundred thousand fans, but the quiet assurance of someone who knew he was ‘God’s man.’” It’s a remarkable story, and proof that, like Jessi says, no matter how far gone you think someone is, there’s always hope. Jessi always felt like the Lord was working to bring peace to her husband one day, adding poignantly that: “No one is ever totally gone. We leave our mark on the world, especially an artist like Waylon. And we leave our mark on the hearts of others… In the desert, Waylon kicked drugs. On the operating table, he survived surgery. That Thanksgiving, Waylon at last understood that he loved the Lord as the Lord loved him.” It’s one of my favorite country music-related stories to look back on every year ahead of Thanksgiving, and a great reminder of what’s really important as we go into this holiday season. Behind every good man is an even better woman, as the old saying goes, and these two were a power couple that not only left a trailblazing legacy of incredible outlaw country music, but true and unconditional love… here’s to the late, great Waylon Jennings and the woman who helped save him, Mrs. Jessi Colter. “Storms Never Last”  The post “No One Is Ever Totally Gone” — Jessi Colter Recalls The Beautiful Story Of Waylon Jennings Finding Jesus On His Last Thanksgiving first appeared on Whiskey Riff.