Of all the times an artist has actually played “Free Bird” at a concert… this doesn’t even compare.
Of course, we all know Chris Stapleton is in a league of his own, and the man has a voice like no one else. He can sing anything, and in terms of pure vocal talent, I just can’t think of any current artist, especially in country music, who can match him.
And over the weekend during concert in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Lincoln Financial Field, where he opened for George Strait, Chris absolutely let it rip with an incredible cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.” Written by frontman Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins, “Free Bird” was released on their 1973 debut studio album, Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd.
They released as a single in November of 1974, and it subsequently debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at #87, becoming their second Top 40 hit in early 1975, peaking at #19 in January 25. It’s of course still Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature song, the finale during their live performances to this day, and their longest song, which often goes well over 14 minutes when played live.
I’m sure if you’ve ever been to a concert in your life you’ve heard someone in the crowd yell at the artist or band to “play ‘Free Bird,’” which has become a joke over the decades that, for some, I guess, hasn’t gotten old… it’s kind of annoying, but whatever. Honestly, I’m always secretly hoping they’ll actually take the request because I love that song, but you have to have an incredible guitar player to pull it off, more like 3 of them, and you gotta carve out about ten minutes from your setlist to really give it the attention it deserves.
Stapleton doesn’t typically ever play the full song (he’s covered it a few times before), but rather uses it as a transition into his own song “The Devil Named Music,” but he was in top-notch form during the Philly show and sounded absolutely flawless. I know it’s probably unlikely, but one of these days, I really hope he’ll give us the full version because it’s just beyond incredible.
Most people will probably roll their eyes at a “Free Bird” cover (myself included), but the bluesy, stripped-back production and Stapleton’s flawless, otherworldly voice is next level. When he just lets it rip… chills.
Do yourself a favor and check it out:
Here’s another angle from further away… it has more audio, though, and is well-worth the listen:
Gonna have this stuck in my head all day now…
“Free Bird”
“The Devil Named Music”
George Strait w/ Chris Stapleton & special guest Parker McCollum:
May 10, 2025 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field
May 31, 2025 Pittsburgh, PA Acrisure Stadium
June 14, 2025 Buffalo, NY Highmark Stadium
June 21, 2025 Foxborough, MA Gillette Stadium
George Strait w/ Chris Stapleton & special guest Little Big Town:
July 19, 2025 Inglewood, CA SoFi Stadium
