NEW YORK (AP) – The red carpet just keeps rolling out for singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton: After dominating at last month’s Country Music Association Awards and watching his album jump from nowhere to No. 1, he’s now a top nominee at the 2016 Grammy Awards.
Stapleton’s four nominations, announced Monday by the Recording Academy, include best country album, country solo performance and country song for “Traveller.” His album, which became a white-hot success after he won three honors and performed alongside Justin Timberlake at the CMAs, is also up for album of the year – marking a return to the top prize for country music after some time.
The last country album to be nominated for album of the year was at the 2014 Grammys with Taylor Swift’s “Red” – which was not completely country thanks to its pop anthems such as “We Are Never Getting Back Together” and “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Before that, it was Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” at the 2011 awards show.
“I don’t make records with the thought of awards. That being said, what a wonderful treat to be recognized by your peers for the work that you have done,” Stapleton said in an interview with The Associated Press by phone on Monday. “It’s kinda crazy.”
His competition is tough in the top category with Swift’s “1989,” Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly,” Alabama Shakes’ “Sound & Color” and the Weeknd’s “Beauty Behind the Madness,” which was the most streamed album on Spotify this year.