Chris Stapleton

I remember trying to sell myself out of it. One Clay Hunt had called from Chris Stapleton’s camp and was interested in t-shirt graphics. You have to understand, after being burnt by a couple Nashville managers representing a couple turds who I shouldn’t mention, one gets a little disillusioned by the country music’s big leagues. And I remember telling Clay, “I just don’t know if I’m the guy?” And he was patient, talked me down from the ledge, and some eight years later they continue to trust me with awesome projects from Chris’ meteoric rise in the country music world.

If I might be a bit brash, he’s BIGGER than country music. His “crossover” appeal is LETHAL and I’m blown away by how many different kinds of people—outside of all those whiskey-soaked shit-kicker outlaws who populate contemporary country music crowds—and how he gets ahold of them, and doesn’t let go. I’m guessing it’s that perfect sprinkle of authenticity, talent and hard work! And it’s working in a big way.

I sure do appreciate Clay Hunt for having me along, introducing me to Chris and Morgane and their crew. It’s been an honor to contribute along the way to something so cool, improbable and ultimately, goosebump-inducing in the live setting!

Chris Stapleton Logo

I’ve been lost in Chris Stapleton’s beard since 2017. This whole beardy odyssey started out as a series of t-shirt designs for the All American Road Show tour merch offering, and Chris dug the “CS” design so much it became his official logo! Seeing it all over the mountains of merch, roadworn road cases and that big semi fleet? THE BEST.

Project Details:
01. Identity for bad-ass country music singer/songwriter with a large beard.
02. As directed by Clay Hunt and Chris Stapleton.
03. 2017.

Chris Stapleton
Torso Covers

Project Details:
01. Various designs for the All American Roadshow tours.
02. As directed by Clay Hunt and Chris Stapleton.
03. 2017+.

Chris Stapleton
Crew Decals

When Clay called me about these bad boys, he explained how Chris grew up in “Coal country” and wanted a handful of stickers for the road crew to put on their helmets, tool cases and gear. Some have made their way upstream to merch items on Chris’ official site, but the rest are just fine setting up and tearing down the All American Road Show super stage! Hell yeah, Stapleton crew peoples!

Project Details:
01. Coalminer-inspired helmet decals for the All American Roadshow crew.
02. As directed by Clay Hunt and Chris Stapleton.
03. 2019.

Chris Stapleton Starting Over “Made in the USA” Sticker

Just before Chris’ new record “Starting Over” was heading off to pressing and printing, Clay called and said Chris wanted a “Made in the USA” sticker to go on the cover, over the shrink-wrap cellophane. They went to great lengths to make sure the records were printed and pressed in the states, and I applaud them for that move.

Project Details:
01. Made in the USA sticker for Starting Over record cover cellophane shrink-wrap.
02. As directed by Clay Hunt and Chris Stapleton.
03. 2020.

Chris Stapleton
“I’m A Ram” 7-Inch

Release Details:
01. Released on Mercury Nashville.
02. November 11, 2022.
03. Catalog No. “B0024907-21.”

Project Details:
01. Built in CMYK, simulating a heritage 2-color “Kelly Green” and “Black” overprinted design.
02. Cover photo by Andy Barron.
03. Back cover photo by Becky Fluke.

Chris Stapleton
“All American Road Show”
Tour Ad Mat, 2022-20??

Chris’ last Ad Mat was used for like five years! This update offered a design that could have the colors updated for each specific tour leg or overseas jaunt. Coming to a town near you!

Project Details:
01. Spirited admat illustration and type lockup for the All American Roadshow tours.
02. As directed by Clay Hunt and Chris Stapleton.
03. 2022-2024.

Easily my favorite Stapleton project to date. Simply due to how scary the entire thing was. First off, Chris, Morgane, Clay and Zach made things very comfortable for me, and we had a great back-n-forth to nail the design of all the parts and pieces in the vinyl package. Once that was signed off on by Chris and Morgane, we were off to the races! And dang, handing all those files off, anticipating multiple printings, multiple color pressings and a world class worldwide release was a bit intimidating. The first pressing was somewhere around 130,000 pieces, with a second wave quickly following. Got to see it at my local records store, and ALL OVER THE WORLD. And the best part? It’s an incredible record. Such an honor through and through.

Chris Stapleton &
Dua Lipa Single

Working for Chris can be pretty wild. He was doing a duet with Dua Lipa at the American County Music Awards and the single would launch the very next day. Clay hit me up and armed me as much as he could, and said, “Moving quick on this one!” I got some type lock-ups going, awaiting the shot from the talented photographer Andy Barron. I was on pins and needles. A couple hours after the show I get the shot from the Stapleton camp, show a handful of options of how the type lock-up would work, and in no time I’m seeing it in my phone, and then EVERYWHERE. That’s just how this stuff goes with Chris Stapleton and those big leagues he’s kicking ass in.

Check their performance out here!

Project Details:
01. Done-the-night-before single cover.
02. As directed by Clay Hunt and Chris Stapleton.
03. 2024.

Chris Stapleton Radio
SiriusXM Channel 63

The next time you are in that rental car, dial up Chris’ new Sirius XM channel and really get a good eyeballing of the logo that accompanies it. Did that one earlier this spring for the Stapleton camp. Channel 63! Turn it up!

When I was back home in Michigan last month, I’d use Mom’s Jeep Cherokee to rip into town and would dial into Channel 63 to get my Stapleton fix. All his stuff is played of course, but I was pleasantly surprised by the diverse offering of everything else, all backed up by cool commentary from Chris. Very tailored and very well done. So cool to see the logo we made on the channel!

Project Details:
01. Sirius XM channel logo.
02. As directed by Clay Hunt and Chris Stapleton.
03. 2024.