Under the dazzling lights of the 60th ACM Awards at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, Chris Stapleton delivered a performance that left the audience breathless. Taking the stage in his signature black cowboy hat, faded denim jacket, and worn jeans, he commanded attention with nothing but a vintage microphone, his weathered Martin acoustic guitar, and a moody, blue-lit backdrop that perfectly matched the song’s haunting vibe.

From the first note of “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Stapleton’s raspy, soul-filled voice drew everyone in. Every lyric carried raw emotion, while wife Morgane Stapleton, standing just offstage, mouthed the words with pride. The star-studded crowd—including Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, and Lainey Wilson—swayed along, visibly moved by the performance’s simple yet powerful delivery. Steel guitar licks and a slow, bluesy groove elevated the song, culminating in a gritty, improvised vocal run that earned a thunderous standing ovation.

As the final note faded, Stapleton tipped his hat humbly, reminding everyone why he is considered one of country music’s most compelling voices. Social media erupted, praising the performance as “a masterclass in live music” and proof that nobody conveys heartbreak quite like Chris Stapleton.

Later, Stapleton also delivered a deeply moving rendition of “It Takes a Woman” from his album Higher. The warm lighting and intimate stage perfectly complemented his signature raw delivery, with Morgane adding harmonies that elevated the song’s emotional depth. The chorus—“It takes a woman / A woman who sees the best part of me / Through all that I am”—felt profoundly personal, leaving the audience swaying and cheering.

The performance earned critical acclaim and accolades: “It Takes a Woman” won Best Country Solo Performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards, triumphing over songs by Beyoncé, Jelly Roll, Kacey Musgraves, and Shaboozey. Stapleton also secured Male Artist of the Year, marking his fifth win in the category. Through it all, he proved once again that his ability to convey raw, heartfelt emotion makes him one of country music’s unforgettable voices.