Chris Stapleton, a Kentucky-born singer of country music, maybe a world traveler but he didn’t seem to be in a hurry Thursday night after winning a major country music award.
The 45-year-old “Tennessee Whisky’ singer was named Entertainer of the Year at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards. Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, and the Ford Center at the Star, in Frisco Texas, hosted the event.
Billboard reported that Stapleton won the award seven years ago when he was the son of a coal miner. Stapleton is the recipient of three ACM Male Artist of the Year awards, three other wins for Album of the Year, and one Songwriter of the Decade award.
Stapleton is known for his humility and his “workingman’s honesty.” In his heartfelt speech of acceptance, Stapleton said, “By every imaginable measure, I do not deserve this.” There are many great people who fit into this category. Every night I try to play some music. “I write songs and record records, but I never imagined that I would be a winner of this award.”
He thanked his wife and his children for their sacrifices, saying: “My kids at home give up so much of my and my wife’s free time that we can do this. This is for them.”
As the evening drew near, Getty Images photographer John Shearer spotted Stapleton and his team sauntering out of the Ford Center. The country singer did stop, however, to help workers clean up.
Stapleton, still wearing his suit and tie to his big day, used a leaf blower, clearing up the confetti which had fallen earlier.
Shearer’s moment was captured on film and later praised by friends, family, and fans.
Stapleton posted the photo on Instagram with a quote by his colleague, Lainey Wilson 2023 ACM Female Artist of the Year, “If You’re Going to Be a Dreamer, You Better Be a Doer.”
Wilson wrote, “Ain’t nobody like you, man,” in response to the photo.
Faithwire reported that Wilson said in her speech of acceptance, “Everyone in this category did not just end up here by chance; they worked their fingers until the bone.” They’ve put in the sweat, blood, tears, and years of dedication into this. They’ve missed a lot of weddings and funerals.
Wilson continued, “Oh, my goodness, you all.” This is a symbol of hard work for the little girls who are watching. “If you want to be a realist, you have to be a hard worker.”
Morgane Stapleton (Stapleton’s spouse and fellow singer) commented on a photo of the cleanup after the awards show, writing “Love this so very much.”
The Home Edit noted that “Chris literally cleaned up at ACMs.”
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