Thursday night’s RodeoHouston performance was one of the most anticipated this season and Chris Stapleton did not disappoint. In fact, the Kentucky native over-delivered, which is a hard feat to accomplish on that rotating stage in front of 72,803 fans – the largest so far this year. Every crevice of NRG Stadium was crowded with Stapleton fans as standing room only seats were all that was left.

The CMA Awards 2016 “Male Vocalist of the Year” started off his first-ever RodeoHouston performance in awe of the crowd saying, “Unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. Thanks y’all for being here tonight. I’ll shut up and play some music.”

Which of course, got hoots and hollers from all in attendance.

And boy did he play some music. I’m not sure NRG Stadium has seen that kind of guitar playing, at least not in recent years. Dressed simple, in all black with a brown cowboy hat, singing alongside his wife, Morgane Stapleton, the country singer couldn’t take his eyes off her throughout his 12-song set.

Playing some of his chart topping hits, Stapleton also tried out a new song with the Houston audience when he played “Second One To Know” for the first time. As part of his set list, he also gave a perfect and raspy cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Tuesday’s Gone,” before closing out his performance.

“I’m not from Texas but you sure make me feel at home,” he told the packed stadium. “I’m going to keep playing music – they’re going to kick us out eventually,” he added, to the crowd's delight.

After singing his hot song “Fire Away,” he asked for the lights to be turned way down low and the entire audience to lift their phones up in the air. Talk about an incredible view with an even more spectacular playlist. Thursday nights can't be scripted any better than this.

After his perfect RodeoHouston performance, it’s a good thing the singer-songwriter doesn’t pick up his All-American Road Show tour for another week, as he heads to Canada. This crew deserves at least a week to rest.

Chris and Morgane Stapleton – a simple couple, but talk about relationship and life goals. All the emojis for this pair and their performance.

Set List:
Nobody To Blame
Midnight Train To Memphis
Outlaw State Of Mind

Second One To Know