A few years ago, a buddy of mine told me I needed to listen to a band called The SteelDrivers -- " a great country/bluegrass band," he told me, "but Chris Stapleton in that band ... he's amazing."

Stapleton had already left The SteelDrivers at that point and moved on to play in his band The Jompson Brothers. But it wasn't long after that he went the solo route, and thank God he did.

It's hard to tell at this point if Chris Stapleton will become a household name in country music. But whether that happens or not matters little -- you just need to listen to him.

To most in the country community, Stapleton is the man behind writing hits for superstars such as "Drink a Beer" for Luke Bryan, "Never Wanted Nothing More" for Kenny Chesney and "Love's Gonna Make It Alright" for George Strait. Even Adele covered a song he wrote, "If It Hadn't Been for Love."

But since he released his debut album, 'Traveller,' on May 5, Stapleton has quietly created a rapidly growing faithful following.

The day 'Traveller' came out I got a text message from the same friend who introduced me to Stapleton years before: "Chris Stapleton's record came out today ... go get it."

"Already listened to it three times," I wrote back. "Damn good stuff."

We weren't alone in thinking that.

Stapleton sings with an incredible sense of honesty and humility. You get notes of Waylon Jennings, Kenny Rogers and Jamey Johnson in his music. His voice can rock you to sleep and his words can make you cry.

“The biggest, baddest country voice you've ever heard. No, really," Rolling Stone Country said.

'Traveller' was produced by Dave Cobb, who already has Sturgill Simpson's 'Metamodern Sounds in Country Music' and Jason Isbell's 'Southeastern' to his name. From beginning to end 'Traveller' pulls you in and doesn't let go. Every note and word makes you go "Wow. They don't make music like that anymore."

Until now. I'll be hard-pressed to find a better country album in 2015, and it's only May.

Chris Stapleton: 'Traveller'

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