Chris Stapleton works harder than most, a tribute to his late father’s work ethic. It’s a blessing — and what propelled Stapleton to the top of the charts over and over again, ever since his 2015 Traveller album came out. But it’s also a double-edged sword, one Stapleton is careful to navigate.

“My work ethic comes from my dad, and I’m not sure that it’s altogether healthy,” Stapleton tells Cowboys & Indians, “I’m working on some work-life balance. My dad was a coal miner. He worked long hours his whole life, and he died very young. I’m trying not to do that. That may be who I am in a lot of ways, and I think about him every day.”

Of his two siblings, the Kentucky native is undoubtedly the most known. But they are the ones who are doing the important work in the world, according to Stapleton, work that is in awe of.

“Sometimes you’re so close to whatever there is around you, you don’t even know what you’re learning from it,” Stapleton reflects. “I have an older brother and a younger sister who both do great work in the world. They’re so giving of themselves and I admire that about them.”

Notoriously protective of his five children whom he shares with his wife, Morgane, Stapleton reveals the biggest takeaway he hopes their four sons and one daughter learn from their parents.

“The thing we try to impart on them is that it’s okay to be human. It’s okay to make mistakes, and owning those mistakes is important,” the “White Horse” singer says. “Here’s what I hope for my children: that they are the best parts of me and that they can overcome the worst parts of me. I want my children to be themselves, whoever they are. I want that for them more than I want it for me.”

 

Stapleton and Morgane wed in 2007, after meeting as songwriters in 2003. It’s Morgane who picks most of the songs he records, sings with him, travels with him as their schedules permit, and keeps his life in balance.

“From a work standpoint, we’re a married couple. And like anybody else, we might be getting on each other’s nerves or something,” Stapleton acknowledges. “But if we’re away from each other for more than two days — because we do work, live, and raise children together — on the rare occasion we’re apart, we’re sort of like teenagers. We’re like, ‘I miss you,’ and, ‘I miss you too.’ And that’s a really sweet and wonderful thing.”

Stapleton is continuing his headlining All-American Road Show Tour this year, and also opening again for George Strait for another run of stadium shows.. Find all of his music and upcoming shows at ChrisStapleton.com.

Read ‘Chris Stapleton: 11 Things to Know About the Talented Singer’ here.