Chris Stapleton Dethrones Morgan Wallen On Top Country Albums Chart

Christopher Polk / Contributor / Getty Images

Chris Stapleton released his fifth major studio album, Higher, on November 10th, 2023.  

Chris Stapleton, known for his bluesy vocals and raw song lyrics, hadn’t released an album since 2020. Higher was co-produced by Stapleton, his longtime collaborator Dave Cobb, and his wife Morgane Stapleton. It contains a total of 14 tracks, including the hit single “White Horse,” which is currently occupying the fifth spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. 

Stapleton shared his thoughts on what it’s like to create an album in Nashville: 

It takes some commitment, it takes a lot of dedication to a craft, and it takes some hard work, but also just loving it enough to keep doing it regardless. If you want to be famous or any of those kinds of things, that’s not the reason. If your reason for doing this is music, then this is a good place to do it.” 

Chris Stapleton promotional image for new "Monday Night Football" theme
ESPN / Press Release

Higher rises to the top of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. 

The early release of songs like “White Horse” and “It Takes A Woman” showed promise of success for Higher, and less than two weeks after the full album was released, it has landed in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. 

The move has dethroned Morgan Wallen’s album One Thing At A Time, which has spent an impressive 29 weeks at the top of the chart. 

Billboard.com

Chris Stapleton dedicated Higher to his wife Morgane. 

Stapleton shared news of the album release on social media with a two-image post. The first was the album’s cover art, and the second had a simple message in a black font against an orange background. It was a dedication to his wife.

It read, “For Morgane.” 

Watch Chris Stapleton, with Morgane by his side, perform his hit song “White Horse” at the 2023 CMA Awards below!