In the Studio: See Intimate Photos of Morgane and Chris Stapleton
Southern Family, a collection of songs about growing up in the South from both contemporary country stars and Americana darlings, is one of the most eagerly awaited albums of 2016. Set for release on March 18th, the project is the brainchild of producer Dave Cobb, who enlisted singer-songwriters from Zac Brown and Miranda Lambert to Jason Isbell and Brandy Clark. Among the first artists Cobb solicited for the album was Chris Stapleton, who suggested his wife and musical partner Morgane Stapleton take lead on the standard "You Are My Sunshine."
"It felt like the right time and way to do it," Stapleton tells Rolling Stone Country. "We brought [the song] to Dave when he first mentioned the album. He's like, 'No, no, no, why don't you write something else?' And then eventually, he played it with us onstage and said, 'We have to do that song!'"
"We're not doing anything new, anything fresh," adds Morgane. "We're doing what we love and what is authentic to us. No matter what else is going on, that is where our compass always is."
The Stapletons and Cobb welcomed Rolling Stone Country into Nashville's historic RCA Studio A, where stars from Elvis Presley to Kacey Musgraves have recorded (and where Cobb recently became producer-in-residence), to document the process of cutting "You Are My Sunshine." Here's a look behind the scenes at the artists at work. All photos by Becky Fluke.
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In the Round
Chris Stapleton, his wife and musical partner Morgane and producer Dave Cobb assemble in the studio to work out their arrangement of "You Are My Sunshine."
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Solitary Woman
Morgane Stapleton shares a quite moment of rehearsal at Nashville's RCA Studio A.
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Coffee Break
This recording session marked Chris Stapleton's first time in the studio since his breakout CMA Awards performance with Justin Timberlake.
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Studio Talk
Producer Dave Cobb and Morgane Stapleton have an impromptu conference in the control room of RCA Studio A.
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Workingman’s Blues
When Chris Stapleton is ready to record, he dons a blue denim workshirt over his black uniform.
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Band Meeting
Morgane Stapleton and the band gather around engineer Vance Powell and producer Dave Cobb to listen to a take of "You Are My Sunshine."
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Lobby Call
Stapleton and producer Dave Cobb gather in the lobby of RCA Studio A.
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Production Value
Producer Dave Cobb doesn't just oversee Stapleton's records — he also plays acoustic guitar, both on the album and often onstage.
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Shoulder to Shoulder
With the band arranged in a circle, so they can each exchange glances, Stapleton and Morgane stand shoulder to shoulder over a Navajo rug.
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Bird’s Eye View
Taken from atop the staircase in RCA Studio A, Chris Stapleton and his band spread out to record.
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At the Mic
Chris Stapleton settles into a groove in front of the microphone at Nashville's historic RCA Studio A.
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Playing Sideman
As Morgane records her lead vocal to his left, Chris Stapleton plays sideman to his wife on "You Are My Sunshine."
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In the Pocket
Drummer Derek Mixon lays down the beat for Stapleton and the band to follow.
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The Low End
Bassist J.T. Cure loosens up in the control room of RCA Studio A.
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The Great One
Pedal-steel player Robby Turner is a Nashville recording and touring legend, having played for years on the road with Waylon Jennings.
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Crossing the Threshold
Stapleton takes one last look at wife Morgane and producer Dave Cobb before entering the studio to record.
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Blank Canvas
The Stapletons' respective recording stations are decorated with flowers and candles for Morgane and a commemorative belt buckle from RCA Studio A for Chris. The husband-and-wife team share space atop a rug decorated with Kokopelli.
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Engineer Consult
With the famous walls of RCA Studio A looming behind them, Chris and Morgane Stapleton consult with engineer Vance Powell while warming up to record "You Are My Sunshine."
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At the Console
Producer Dave Cobb reviews a take of "You Are My Sunshine" during the Stapletons' recording session for Southern Family.
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Flower Power
Morgane decorates her recording station with flowers and candles, setting the mood for a mid-afternoon session.
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Award-Winning Duo
Chris Stapleton and producer Dave Cobb have formed an award-winning partnership, sweeping the CMA Awards with their album Traveller and scoring four nominations at this February's Grammy Awards.
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J.T. Cure
Bassist J.T. Cure has been playing with Chris Stapleton since he was 19.
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In the Zone
Morgane Stapleton and her husband Chris record "You Are My Sunshine" for Dave Cobb's Southern Family compilation album.