MUSIC BOMBSHELL: George Strait Joins Forces with Chris Stapleton in the Recording Studio — Fans Are Going Wild Over the Surprise Collaboration!

Released on April 19, 1993, “When Did You Stop Loving Me” was the third and final single from the soundtrack to George Strait’s hit film Pure Country. Written by Nashville songwriters Donny Kees and Monty Holmes, the song typifies Strait’s neotraditional honky‑tonk style and clocks in at a concise 2:48. Produced by Tony Brown alongside Strait himself, it captures the heartbreak of a relationship unraveling—an emotional tone that resonated deeply with fans.

Upon its release, the track climbed to No. 6 on both the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart in mid‑1993 . It debuted at number 62 on Billboard for the week of May 1, 1993, demonstrating strong and immediate appeal.

The song holds significance beyond its chart success. Donny Kees, one of its co‑writers, garnered a nomination from the Music City News Songwriter Awards for “Top Ten Song of the Year” in 1993, showcasing industry acknowledgment of its lyrical strength . Interestingly, the track later served double duty in a nationwide Nissan ad campaign—underscoring its crossover resonance .

Over the years, “When Did You Stop Loving Me” has endured as a fan favorite and poignant deep cut, cherished for its emotional clarity and Strait’s earnest delivery. It has also been affinately embraced by fellow country artists—George Jones covered it in 1998 on It Don’t Get Any Better Than This, and Chris Stapleton delivered a memorable tribute performance at the 2017 ACM Honors, earning praise for his soulful interpretation