Country superstar Chris Stapleton is celebrating a major career milestone as his rendition of “Tennessee Whiskey” has been certified RIAA Double Diamond, surpassing 20 million units sold. The achievement marks the first country song ever to reach Double Diamond status.
RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier reflected on the moment, calling the achievement “remarkable.”
“Chris Stapleton’s undeniable vocal grit and storytelling have connected deeply – driving chart successes, earning major awards, and most importantly, resonating with fans,” Glazier shared. “RIAA is proud to celebrate him alongside MCA as ‘Tennessee Whiskey’ today makes history, becoming the first Country single ever to earn a Double Diamond certification with twenty million units in the U.S. alone. It’s a remarkable achievement and another defining moment in Stapleton’s career.”
“Tennessee Whiskey” was written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove and was originally recorded by David Allen Coe and later by George Jones. Stapleton’s version came in 2015 after his producer Dave Cobb heard him cover the song during soundcheck on tour.
The news of the double diamond status arrives on the heels of the 10-year anniversary of his groundbreaking debut album, Traveller, which Stapleton celebrated last year. Recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A with producer Dave Cobb, the album’s success was fueled in part by the breakout hit “Tennessee Whiskey.”
Traveller went on to win Best Country Album at the 58th Grammy Awards, as well as Album of the Year honors at both the CMA and ACM Awards, and ultimately became the best-selling country album of the 2010s.
That same year, Traveller made history as the first album ever to re-enter the Billboard 200 all-genre chart at No. 1, where it remained for two consecutive weeks. With global sales exceeding 11 million, the album is certified RIAA 7x Platinum in the U.S., has surpassed 11 billion streams worldwide, and has spent more than 500 weeks on the Billboard 200—making it the first country album to reach that milestone.
Chris Stapleton recently surprised fans by extending his All-American Road Show, adding 20 new dates for 2026. The expanded run includes stops at several major U.S. stadiums, along with additional special guests, including Lainey Wilson and Zach Top on select shows.
A complete list of Chris Stapleton’s 2026 tour dates can be viewed HERE. Tickets for the newly announced shows will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, January 16 at 10:00 a.m. local time.