Chris Stapleton Thrilled to ‘Get to Give Back’ Following Success

Chris Stapleton's life changed at the 2015 CMA Awards, when he won his first three CMA Awards, for Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. Although he had already earned plenty of success as a songwriter by then, with his debut solo album Traveller becoming a No. 1, multi-platinum release and thanks to three Top 20 songs, Stapleton is now experiencing the sort of success that he dreamed about while growing up in Kentucky.

While many artists might consider purchasing a bigger house, a fancier car or a lavish vacation to celebrate their good fortune, Stapleton's heart is set on using his resources to help others instead.

"It’s a huge thing we get to do," Stapleton recently told The Boot and other reporters at the 2016 Volunteer Jam, becoming emotional at the thought. "We don’t have to do anything, but we get to do it.

"To get to give back in some way is something else," he adds. "I don’t have any words for it; it’s one of the best feelings of the things we get to do, beyond playing to crowds of people or selling records, or somebody wanting to thank you for playing songs. We get to give back."

After winning two trophies (out of six nominations) at the 2016 CMA Awards, for Male Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year, Stapleton also showed that his grateful spirit extends into every area of his life.

“We’re all friends, and it’s not like some kind of competition necessarily, musically,” Stapleton told The Boot. “[It’s not] like we’re try to squash out something or we’re in some feud. People try to make it out to be that, and it’s just not.”

In that spirit of giving back, Stapleton's CMA-winning "Fire Away" music video aims to bring attention to the culture of mental health awareness, specifically through the Campaign to Change Direction, the aim of which is to “change the culture of mental health in America so that all of those in need receive the care and support they deserve.”

“It became something hopefully that has value beyond just being a video for the sake of being a video,” the singer notes. “That’s what I liked about it.”

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