There aren’t too many people I can think of who could even begin to fill Tom Petty’s shoes after his legendary four-decade-spanning career.
And while Chris Stapleton certainly wouldn’t have been the first name to pop into my head, I’ve gotta admit, he was a pretty epic choice for the Heartbreakers’ first reunion since the passing of their legendary frontman. Last night at the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards, the “White Horse” singer had the immense honor of joining the original band (Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Stan Lynch, and Ron Blair) for an epic performance of some of their biggest hits.
Their Wednesday night, September 16 showcase was extra special too; as previously mentioned, it marked the Heartbreakers’ first performance together since Petty’s death in 2017, and the first time the original lineup had shared the stage in a whopping 24 years. Back in September 2017, the group wrapped up their 40th-anniversary tour in Los Angeles. Tragically, Petty passed away just one week later on October 2, bringing the band’s decades-long run on the road to an unexpected end.
But luckily for those in attendance at the historic reunion at the Ryman Auditorium last night, attendees got to witness three crossover performances between Stapleton and the original gang for their 1994 hit, “You Wreck Me,” their first-ever single, “Breakdown,” and, of course, their standout 1977 fan-favorite, “American Girl.”
Call me basic, but Stapleton’s deep, growling vocals on the latter high-energy classic from their self-titled album somehow pair pretty seamlessly. And you can’t tell me the Grammy winner isn’t basically the Vince Gill of our generation, with his uncanny ability to step in alongside just about any band or artist and somehow sound like he belongs there.
With Stapleton joining in on the electric guitar alongside the band as well, there’s no denying the Heartbreakers looked like they were having the time of their lives, reviving their touring days once more. Given this isn’t Stapleton’s first rodeo alongside Petty’s longtime band, their inevitable chemistry makes sense.
Stapleton actually performed as an opening act on three dates on their final tour in 2017 and, down the road, covered “I Should Have Known It” for the 2024 country tribute album: Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration Of Tom Petty.
With the country music icon’s 2026 All-American Road Show quickly winding down ahead of its October 10 finale in Kansas City, Missouri, and with what’s next for his musical career still up in the air, I can only hope these random side quests keep coming to life in the meantime for Stapleto.