Chris Stapleton and his wife Morgane owned the CMA stage like true country royalty. The moment they stepped into the spotlight, the room shifted. Morgane glowed in a silver gown that sparkled with every note, pure class and grace, while Chris stood beside her in his signature cowboy hat—steady, soulful, and unmistakably himself. Then they began to sing, and time seemed to stop. Their voices wrapped around each other like they were made to meet, filling the arena with raw emotion that hit straight to the heart. By the final note, the crowd wasn’t just cheering—they were breathless. It wasn’t just a performance. It was a moment people will be talking about for years.
Breathtaking.
Chris Stapleton‘s Higher has hands down been my most played record since its release last year. Given that the Grammy and CMA Award-nominated record has made waves throughout country music since its release, it naturally makes sense to highlight one of those songs at the 58th Annual CMA Awards.
Stapleton, and his “secret weapon” as Dave Cobb put it last night, wife Morgane, performed “What Am I Gonna Do “ during last night’s awards ceremony.
“What Am I Gonna Do” sets the record’s tone, and it was co-written with Miranda Lambert. Given the caliber of songwriters each of these artists is, you get a stellar track when you combine them. The song was an early standout on Higher and has remained a fan favorite over the year since the record’s release.
Chris has already had a stellar night, going two for two and bringing home Single and Song of the Year for “White Horse.” Stapleton could not come down off his high, as he also kicked off the awards show with an electric duet with Post Malone of “California Sober.”
He honestly did not have a second to rest.
Right after accepting his award for Single of the Year, Stapleton rushed backstage to prepare for his second performance of the night, and this time, he was joined on stage by Morgane.
The two stared into each other’s eyes throughout the performance as they sang the heartfelt lyrics. They might have been singing lyrics about a relationship that’s ending, but these two are more in love than ever, and that love is palpable on the TV screen during their performance.
The melancholy lyrics detail the lamentation of a relationship ending. Stapleton is consumed with thoughts from the relationship and can’t stop thinking about what he will do if he ever moves on from this girl. Instead of healing and trying to move on, he’s drinking too much because he can’t handle the pain of her leaving.
“Been drinkin’ everything on that shelf
Feels like I’m killin’ myself
You’re gone, and it hurts like hell
Wishin’ I was anybody else
What am I gonna do
When I get over you?
What am I gonna be
When you’re just a memory?
What am I gonna drink?
When I don’t have to think
About what I’m gonna do
Without you?”
The song is one of my favorites off Higher, and Stapleton knocked this live performance out of the park. I know Miranda was in the crowd grinning and singing along with Stapleton, happy to see the words she helped pen on stage.
Fire it up.
Later in the night, Stapleton would snag his third CMA trophy of the year, as he was named Male Vocalist of the Year. Stapleton winning this honor makes it his eighth time taking home the award and makes him the artist who holds the record for winning this award.
While some folks might have been upset he stole the show last night, I was here for it.
Stapleton is a rock-solid artist who constantly delivers consistent records that please his crowd. We always know he vocally delivers what he lays down in the studio during his live performances, and I love knowing that I’ll always be impressed seeing him on stage
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