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Chris Stapleton Reveals Anthem Performance Secrets
3 Feb
Summary
- Stapleton attributes anthem success to songcraft, not production.
- Traveller whiskey ad filmed authentically, no AI used.
- New potent blend Traveller Full Proof debuts this month.

Chris Stapleton revealed the secrets behind his lauded 2023 Super Bowl National Anthem performance, emphasizing a focus on songcraft over production. He noted that playing it as a song, rather than a grand production, likely contributed to its emotional impact.
An accompanying 30-second television advertisement for his Traveller whiskey, set to air during the 2026 Super Bowl, authentically captures Stapleton preparing for the anthem. He humorously confirmed the ad is "very non-AI," with all scenes filmed in real-life settings.
Stapleton's Traveller whiskey, a collaboration with Buffalo Trace Distillery, launched in 2024. The company plans to release Traveller Full Proof, a more potent blend, later this month. Stapleton stressed that the substantial cost of the Super Bowl ad is covered by the Sazerac Company, not himself.
The acclaimed singer is currently resuming his extensive All-American Road Show Tour, which features a curated selection of supporting acts chosen for their unique fit or contrast with his own music. He recently won his 12th Grammy Award for "Bad As I Used to Be."




