Man, what I would give to go back in time and witness this performance live…
Back in 2021, Facebook user Brad McKinney shared a video of Chris Stapleton performing at the Kentucky Opry, seemingly sometime around 1999. At that point, Traveller wasn’t even a thought yet, so instead of one of his own hits, Stapleton delivered a cover of Lonestar’s classic, “Amazed.”
Written by Marv Green, Aimee Mayo, and Chris Lindsey, “Amazed” was released in March 1999 as the second single from the band’s third studio album, Lonely Grill. The song went on to spend eight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, cementing its place as the band’s biggest hit and one of the defining country ballads of the era.
These days, the 48-year-old country superstar could cover just about anyone’s song and somehow make it his own. That said, it feels a little strange to admit this, but I’m still not sure I’d rather hear anyone other than Lonestar frontman Richie McDonald sing “Amazed.” Even so, there’s something special about hearing a young Chris Stapleton put his spin on the song—especially before the signature beard, long hair, and larger-than-life stage presence that fans know today.
“Amazed” is one of those country songs I grew up with, and it’s still one I’ll belt my 30 year-old heart out to whenever it comes on shuffle. Whether it’s Richie McDonald, Drew Womack, or even a pre-megastar Chris Stapleton behind the microphone, it’s a song that never gets old.
Check out the performance for yourself here: