Country singer David Allan Coe first released “Tennessee Whiskey” in 1981, but it gained renewed popularity when Chris Stapleton covered it in an R&B style on his 2015 debut album, Traveller. According to Country Thang Daily, this sparked a social media trend where many covered Stapleton’s rendition over backing tracks.
One of the most popular covers emerged in 2017, when Kris Jones sang “Tennessee Whiskey” in a Home Depot parking lot. His daughter, Dayla, had requested the song to showcase her dad’s singing talent to her friends. Country Music Family reported that the video amassed 70 million views on social media within 14 months.
The video of Kris Jones’ rendition, featuring Dayla’s expressive reactions, beautifully captures the bond between father and daughter. It gained widespread attention, even catching the eye of Ellen DeGeneres, who invited them to appear on The Ellen Show. Kris Jones’ 2018 EP, which includes the timeless Chris Stapleton tune, further fueled the viral sensation.
