Post Malone and Chris Stapleton Discuss Writing ‘California Sober’ Together: “It Was Very Organic”

As the excitement continues to build ahead of their 2024 CMA Awards performance this evening (November 20th), Post Malone and Chris Stapleton have shed some light on how their much-loved F-1Trillion collaboration, ‘California Sober’, came about.

Endearing, Post Malone admitted that he was “terrified” of meeting the ‘White Horse’ hitmaker, with the duo's shared humility and affability radiating throughout the backstage interview, which took place during one of the 2024 CMA Awards rehearsal days.

Chris Stapleton began by explaining how, prior to getting together for the F-1Trillion writing session, the two artists had not properly met, recalling that they'd “maybe crossed paths in the hallway or something”, but aside from that, their first real introduction was in the studio. Stapleton reflected, “We were there for 12 hours...from start to finish, and the record was made in that moment. It was very organic”.

After Chris Stapleton had painted a serene, easygoing scene during their time writing together, Post Malone hilariously interjected by pulling back the curtain, confessing “I was terrified to hang with Chris”. The ‘I Had Some Help’ singer-songwriter has become synonymous with his extremely polite and modest demeanour, which comes to the fore when speaking reverently about his ’California Sober’ duet partner.

Post Malone toasted Chris Stapleton as “just the best”, before addressing the Kentucky native directly and donning him “one of the men of all time”. Heartwarmingly, the famously shy Stapleton wasn't really sure how to respond to Posty's compliment, admitting, “Well, okay, I don't know what to do with that...but thank you!”

Chris Stapleton, who is nominated for the 2024 CMA Entertainer of the Year, went on, “Anyway, we had a lot of fun...He's a great writer and a great artist, and...there was a lot of mutual respect in the room. We just had a big time, and it came out like it came out”.

Upon its release as part of Post Malone's blockbuster debut country album, F-1Trillion, ‘California Sober’ was quickly heralded as one of the many stand-outs from the expansive project. It highlights Posty's unique ability to flit between sub-genres and draw from the sonic textures of his collaborators, with ‘California Sober’ exploring a swaggering, soulful Southern Rock feel that we hadn't heard from him previously.

When asked as to what viewers can expect from their performance of ‘California Sober’, with Chris Stapleton and Post Malone set to open the 2024 CMA Awards ceremony, Posty quipped, “I'll shake my ass a little bit, maybe we'll get Chris [to do] a little percolation”, before Stapleton laughed, “I graduated a long time ago!”

After sharing some light-hearted banter, Post Malone concluded by touching on the key lesson he learned from Chris Stapleton during the ‘California Sober’ creative process, “It's nice to be patient with songs. For a long time, I felt like I was super rushed. But sitting there working with Chris, he's super methodical about the way he [writes], and it was cool to watch. Don't rush into something...it'll come to you”.

Post Malone mused, “Sitting there writing...was so much fun. Chris is a total stud...he's the best”. While Chris Stapleton has notched five nominations for the 2024 CMA Awards, Posty has scored four, with the latter widely predicted to take home at least one accolade in honour of his crossover hit with Morgan Wallen, ‘I Had Some Help’.

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