The ULTIMATE Tennessee Whiskey Chords And Guitar Lesson (Chris Stapleton)

Here’s a smash hit song with an interesting backstory that now spans over 40 years.

It all started off as a classic country tune first recorded by David Allan Coe… then George Jones…  

But it wasn't until American singer-songwriter and guitarist Chris Stapleton got a hold of it, and he mashed it up with a soulful old blues groove. And as they say...the rest is history.

In this post I’m going to unpack some insider tips to help you understand the guitar style behind it – and whether you want to do an easy strumming version, or dive into the solos and lead parts, I’ve got you covered. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this "Tennessee Whiskey" chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Tennessee Whiskey?

"Tennessee Whiskey" was originally written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove – two famous songwriters out of Nashville, Tennesse. Although now the song is most often associated with Chris Stapleton’s cover version. The first recorded version of "Tennessee Whiskey" was done by David Allan Coe in 1981. Coe, a well-known outlaw country artist at the time, included it on his album Tennessee Whiskey. This original version has more of a traditional country sound compared to the later renditions.

Next came George Jones's version… which has a more adult contemporary country sound to it.

But it wasn’t until 2015, when Chris Stapleton’s version came along, and brought the song to a whole new generation of listeners.

His version blended together his country singer-songwriter background with deep roots in rhythm & blues. He used the same groove and chord progression as Etta James’s song “I’d Rather Go Blind.” Even many of the electric guitar parts are almost copies. 

Have a listen for yourself, can you hear it?

Stapleton’s version was recorded at RCA Studio A in Nashville with producer Dave Cobb at the helm. The song also features his wife, Morgane Stapleton, on background vocals. 

Stapleton’s version was certified platinum by the RIAA and topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, even gaining traction on pop charts. The song also became a viral sensation after Stapleton performed it live with Justin Timberlake at the 2015 CMA Awards, which contributed significantly to its popularity and made Stapleton a modern country icon.

This song connects three generations of country musicians, each interpreting it in their own style, yet preserving its central theme of comfort and enduring love.

Stapleton’s version is unique in that it draws influences from the blues, creating a cross-genre hit. The track’s legacy now spans over 40 years.

Now, you may be wondering…

What is the tuning for Tennessee Whiskey?

The tuning for "Tennessee Whiskey" as recorded by Chris Stapleton is standard tuning. 

Standard tuning for a guitar is spelled out as EADGBE. 

Here are the strings:

• E (6th string, lowest pitch)
• A (5th string)
• D (4th string)
• G (3rd string)
• B (2nd string)
• E (1st string, highest pitch) 

Next, let’s talk about the…

Tennessee Whiskey Chords

To play "Tennessee Whiskey" on guitar you only need to know 2 chords A, and Bm. A is played open and Bm as a bar chord. However, if you have not yet learned to play effortless bar chords yet, I will also reveal a simple way to play Bm as an open chord as well. So let’s take a look at a few options for how these chords might appear on the fretboard.

A is played from the 5th string down like this:

Bm is a bar chord played in 2nd position and from the 5th string down like this:

As I said, if you have trouble playing bar chords, you could alternatively play this chord:

This is not a pure Bm chord, it is a Bm7 which has a slightly jazzier sound. However, it will work and removes the need to bar.

If you’ve struggled to understand the fretboard and want to learn it faster and in the simplest way. Then get your hands on my free fretboard guide PDF right here now:  

All right, now that you know the "Tennessee Whiskey" chords, let’s now talk about…

​​Does Tennessee Whiskey use a capo?

No. Chris Stapleton does not use a capo when playing “Tennessee Whiskey” live. However, if you want to use a capo you can place one on the second fret and play the chords as G and Am, instead of A and Bm. This may make it easier to play for beginners. Here are two options for “Tennessee Whiskey” capo chords:

G is played using all 6 strings like this:

And Am is played from the 5th string down like this:

This brings us to the question of…

What key is Tennessee Whiskey in?

"Tennessee Whiskey" as recorded by Chris Stapleton is in the key of A major. The two chords used in the song are both diatonic (meaning within the key) of A major.

The A major scale is built using the notes:

A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#

There are many ways to play the A major scale on guitar (which you can learn by getting your hands on my FREE fretboard guide) but here is one common way in the 4th position. 

This shape covers the notes of the A major scale across 2 octaves.

The chord progression for “Tennessee Whiskey” is a simple I to ii chord movement. In the key of A major, the chords are built on each scale degree, with the following chords as part of the key: 

• A (I) - Major
• Bm (ii) - Minor
• C#m (iii) - Minor
• D (IV) - Major
• E (V) - Major
• F#m (vi) - Minor
• G#dim (vii°) - Diminished

A (I) and Bm (ii) play important roles in the key of A major. The A major chord, as the tonic (I) chord, is the "home" chord, providing a sense of resolution and stability. Bm, as the ii chord, creates a softer, more emotional sound. 

That’s the theory, but remember knowing all this doesn’t mean a thing without a good… 

Tennessee Whiskey Strumming Pattern And Groove

The main groove for "Tennessee Whiskey" is based on a steady 8th-note feel, but in a triple meter. The 8th notes get one beat. Let’s use a 6/8 time signature for this example. In 6/8 time, each measure has six beats, with each 8th note getting one count.

Count it like this:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

If you apply that rhythm for a "Tennessee Whiskey" style strumming pattern it might look like this:

Tennessee Whiskey Guitar Solo Lesson

(coming soon)

Conclusion

To wrap it up, “Tennessee Whiskey” has got quite a  backstory. I think it really shows the power of the blues. From it’s early roots as a under the rader country song. To it’s smash hit version with Chris Stapleton. 

Keep practicing, and if you want to learn songs faster, better understand the fretboard, and not waste years spinning your wheels with guitar, grab my free fretboard guide PDF right here now:  

Jon MacLennan