For Country Music Highway Kentucky General Assembly to Consider Adding Chris Stapleton As Official Star Loretta Lynn, The Judds, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom T. Hall, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, Crystal Gayle, and Gary Stewart could soon have company among this elite collection of country music talent with his own special highway signage along US 23 in his native Johnson County. Stapleton left for Nashville in 2001, and is a Johnson Central High School graduate. He grew up in the Cross Creek community three miles west of Paintsville at Staffordsville. In the first week of January, Kentucky State Representative Hubert Collins introduced a bill to add Stapleton’s name to the prestigious roster of stars along the Country Music Highway. The Country Music Highway was first called by this now popular name following a bill Rep. Collins introduced in early 1994 in the Legislature that was approved that Spring. Collins new bill lists ten career milestones Stapleton has enjoyed, including his recent sweep of three Grammy awards, celebrated songwriting, first solo album success and other well known bright spots in his musical career.

Prestonsburg Pushes New Adventure Attractions Prestonsburg mayor Les Stapleton does a progress report for local consumption at a local radio station. In a broadcast around January 8, the mayor announced plans to make Prestonsburg a Trail Town. There is also an effort to create a River Trail along the Big Sandy River from Prestonsburg to Paintsville. Completion of a multi-use trail running from the Equine Center downhill into Jenny Wiley Park near the campground, then returning to the Equine Center.

Watch out for Chris Stapleton, He's On Saturday Night Live this month! Chris Stapleton has been booked for the January 16 Saturday Night Live show. The Country Music Highway's hottest new star will perform on the NBC program in a testament to his exploding popularity after racking up three Grammy Awards and performing on national television alongside Justin Timberlake. Although he has had good success as a songwriter, his personal songs from his smash album "Traveller" are now carrying him forward. He has just recently been interviewed for GQ magazine, among others. Jordan Smith Shines on People's Choice Awards Jordan Smith was the dominant performer in the ninth season of The Voice, and everyone from all around his native Harlan County and throughout Kentucky has been impressed with his great success. The 22-year-old had a prime performance on Tuesday, January 5 on the high profile CBS TV show, People’s Choice Awards. Again he basked in the limelight of his star status, turning in a critically acclaimed version of “You Are So Beautiful”. The show was hosted this year by actress and comedienne Jane Lynch.