In 1981, country singer David Allan Coe released the song Tennessee Whiskey. While it was a hit at the time, the song experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2015 when Chris Stapleton released his own R&B-inspired version on his debut album, Traveller. According to Country Thang Daily, Stapleton’s version ignited a trend on social media, with numerous musicians and fans posting their own covers of his rendition.

Among these covers, Kris Jones’ performance of Tennessee Whiskey in a Home Depot parking lot in 2017 stands out as one of the most notable. His daughter, Dayla, had encouraged him to sing the song to show off his impressive vocal abilities to her friends. The performance was captured on video, and it quickly went viral. Country Music Family reported that within just 14 months, the video amassed a staggering 70 million views on social media.

The viral video not only showcased Kris Jones’ remarkable talent but also highlighted the sweet bond between him and his daughter, Dayla. The heartwarming nature of the performance caught the attention of daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. She invited both Kris and Dayla to appear on her popular show, The Ellen Show. The father-daughter duo’s story of a spontaneous performance leading to overnight fame resonated with viewers, and their appearance on the show further catapulted Kris Jones into the spotlight.

Following his viral success, Kris Jones released an EP in 2018, which featured a rendition of the Tennessee Whiskey classic by Chris Stapleton. This release continued to generate buzz online and cemented his place in the music world. Though Jones had gained fame seemingly overnight, his journey was a testament to the power of talent, timing, and the influence of social media.