Daughter Beams With Pride Listening to Dad’s Amazing Tennessee Whiskey Rendition in the Car
David Allan Coe originally released “Tennessee Whiskey” in 1981, and while it was a notable country song, it was Chris Stapleton’s 2015 cover that brought the track renewed acclaim. Stapleton’s version, featured on his debut album Traveller, infused the classic with a soulful R&B twist, distinguishing it from its original country roots. This reinterpretation not only revitalized the song but also catalyzed a trend of covering Stapleton’s rendition across various platforms, including social media.
One of the most significant viral moments associated with this trend came in 2017 with a cover by Kris Jones. Performing in a Home Depot parking lot, Jones delivered an impassioned version of “Tennessee Whiskey” as a special request from his daughter, Dayla. The cover, recorded in a seemingly everyday setting, struck a chord with viewers and rapidly gained traction online. Within 14 months, the video amassed over 70 million views on social media, reflecting the powerful impact of the performance and the song.
The cover’s popularity was further amplified when Ellen DeGeneres took notice and invited Kris and Dayla Jones to perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The father-daughter duo’s appearance on the show provided them with a broader platform and showcased their touching performance to an even larger audience. This exposure contributed to the viral nature of their rendition, highlighting how personal and heartfelt interpretations of well-known songs can resonate deeply with people.
Kris Jones’s 2018 EP, which included his version of “Tennessee Whiskey,” continued to capitalize on the success of the viral video. The EP, featuring Stapleton’s timeless tune among other tracks, played a role in maintaining the song’s popularity and showcased Jones’s musical versatility. The cover not only served as a tribute to Stapleton’s influential take on the song but also as a testament to the enduring appeal of “Tennessee Whiskey” across different musical styles and contexts.
The widespread success of Kris Jones’s cover illustrates the power of social media in transforming a performance into a viral phenomenon. It also underscores the impact that personal stories and emotional connections can have when shared through music. The video’s success is a reminder of how music can bridge gaps and create moments of shared joy and appreciation, further cementing “Tennessee Whiskey” as a beloved song across generations.
