The Nashville Distillery is proud to recognize independent country artist and Deputy Sheriff Chris Darlington as our newest Patriot of the Month and congratulate him on his newest single, "What Do You Want." As Darlington prepares to be launched on country radio, he will continue to serve and protect in the line of duty.
Hailing from Winchester, Virginia — the hometown of country music legend Patsy Cline — Darlington has spent nearly two decades serving his community in law enforcement while simultaneously building a career in country music rooted in authenticity, faith, patriotism, and perseverance.
“I’m proud to wear the badge and proud to stand on stage, but above all, I’m thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to do both,” Darlington said in a Statement to The Nashville Distillery.
His songs reflect the values of small-town America and the real-life experiences he has encountered both behind the badge and on the road as a musician. Over the years, Darlington has shared the stage with artists including Drew Baldridge, Terri Clark, Sammy Kershaw, and Frank Ray.
Darlington first gained national attention with his 2020 single, "Hold the Line," a heartfelt ballad created to encourage and uplift law enforcement officers during one of the most difficult periods in recent history. Released during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid nationwide unrest following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the song became an anthem for many in the law enforcement community.
“That was kind of a bad year for everyone with the COVID, with the shutdown,” Darlington told Fox News Digital. “So that gave me time, right, to think and to write more. And I felt like the media was real hard then. It seemed like every time something happened, right, that law enforcement didn’t do right, or maybe they did do right. Or maybe it was a one side saying was right, one side thing was wrong. I felt like it was a bad time for law enforcement.”
Despite those challenges, Darlington says the support he continues to receive from his hometown community reinforces his belief in traditional American values and patriotism.
“I think we’ve got a lot of good people here in Frederick County that are still good people,” he said. “And just, for example, I can be in a drive-thru in my cruiser and the person in front of me sometimes will buy your, pay for your meal, or I can be sitting down in a restaurant even on my meal break and when I go to pay, somebody will pay. So I’m blessed that we still live in a good community here.”
His dedication to both public service and music has also earned praise from national law enforcement leaders.
“The National Sheriffs’ Association is proud to see one of our own go from protecting communities in uniform to lighting up the country music stage,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement. “His story is a reminder that law enforcement officers bring talent, heart, and dedication to everything they do.”
The Nashville Distillery proudly celebrates Chris Darlington’s unwavering commitment to service, music, faith, and country — qualities that make him an incredibly deserving Patriot of the Month. We thank you for your service.
