Who is on tour with Chris Stapleton?

[Roger Crawford]

My wife got to see Chris in concert in Denver, CO. I thought Paul Franklin was on tour with him, but the description she gave didn’t sound like Paul at all. Whomever it was, my wife said he was super good. Anyone know who it might be?

[Brett Day]

It's definitely Paul Franklin. I saw him perform live with Chris the past two times I went to the CMA Awards. In 2023, when Chris performed "White Horse", Paul played his chrome Franklin D-10, then in 2024 at the CMA Awards, he performed "What Am I Gonna Do", and Paul played a Gibson Les Paul as a lap steel. Paul wears a hat while playing steel with Chris.

[Roger Crawford]

Brett, my wife’s description of the steel guitarist doesn’t fit Paul at all. She says he had a head full of white hair, wasn’t wearing a hat, and was fuller in the mid section than Paul. Chris mentioned that he was single, but she didn’t catch his name. It almost sounds like Robby Turner. Robby has played with him in the past, but I’m not sure he’s able to do road work with his health issues.

[scott murray]

here's some video of the Denver show on 8/22. Chris introduces Paul starting at 2:45
https://youtu.be/1e-lOiY_NV8

[Roger Crawford]

Well, that settles it! I showed this to my wife and her memory was jogged! She was correct in saying that he was a terrific player, though.

[Brett Day]

Well, that settles it! I showed this to my wife and her memory was jogged! She was correct in saying that he was a terrific player, though.

Hey Roger, I got really excited when I saw Paul onstage with Chris Stapleton at the CMA Awards. I recognized the chrome colored steel in 2023-it's probably the steel he played on many records. I now use National Paul Franklin Signature fingerpicks too