Stapleton’s All-American Road Show Hits the Canadian Capital

Chris Stapleton’s long awaited All-American Road Show finally made a pit stop in Ottawa after a long wait for his fans.

The tour celebrates Stapleton’s acclaimed album, Starting Over, which recently won three awards at the 67th Annual GRAMMYs: Best Country Album (Starting Over), Best Country Solo Performance (“You Should Probably Leave”) and Best Country Song (“Cold”). Elle King was originally slated to accompany the 8x Grammy, 14x CMA and 10x ACM award-winner, however she posted this to socials not long before the Canadian leg of the tour got underway “I am gutted to inform you that I am sick and unable to travel to Canada to perform at the All American Road Show with Chris Stapleton this week. I hate to miss you all and hope to be back very soon.” This was especially sad news for Elle King fans in Ottawa who also missed her during Bluesfest due to a medical emergency. One day hopefully she will make it to see us.

In her stead, Nikki Lane did a fantastic job getting the crowd warmed up. Arriving just in time to perform her set, the Greenville, South Caroline native thanked the crowd for being so welcoming and gave us a taste of her outlaw country vibe. Of particular note, her “hillbilly” rendition of 700,000 Rednecks showed off her vocal abilities that have been compared to Wanda Jackson and Neko Case. In addition to her incredible songwriting and performing, Lane’s stage presence was something to behold. If you’ve watched any of her videos, you won’t be surprised that she also owns and operates a clothing store called “High Class Hillbilly” in Nashville. We’ll be adding her to our playlists!

As the Canadian Tire Centre filled to (almost) capacity, it was the big man’s turn to shine. The show that was two years in the making delivered what it had promised and exceeded expectations. It was a two-hour performance that was just as much southern rock and blues as it was country, even showing off his not as well known talents as a soul or R&B crooner.

Performing in front of a wall of spotlights, below a wide video screen, the band kicked off with boot stomping “Nobody to Blame,” off his 2015 album. Stapleton, who remained roughly in the same place on stage for most of the show, began on a Fender Jaguar guitar but switched among several throughout the night. His next song Parachute featured a galloping beat with a harder edge to it. Everyone was up out of their seats. Most fans know that he shares the stage with his wife Morgane. Standing in the (tiny off to stage left) pit, it was really endearing to see how much eye contact they share when performing. It warmed my heart and I wondered if she was the one to really give him the strength to deliver such an amazing performance. I’d like to think that he would agree with me.

The highlight of the night for me was hearing him belt out Arkansas which was co-written with Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers fame during a road trip as he was driving back to Nashville from Oklahoma to pick up a car his wife got him for his birthday. It’s gritty old fashioned southern outlaw country rock and he delivers it effortlessly.

Stapleton’s tour continues tonight at Budweiser Gardens in London Ontario before heading down to Louisville Kentucky, his home state.

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