Don’t Compare Sturgill Simpson to Waylon . . . Unless You’re Merle Haggard. That’s probably okay.
The comparisons of Sturgill Simpson to Waylon Jennings never cease, even though in some instances they’re based on pretty shallow and misguided observations. That’s why it’s probably pretty understandable if Sturgill is tired of hearing about them at this point.
In a recent interview with Foo Fighters guitarist and Dead Peasants frontman Chris Shiflett (listen in full below), Sturgill once again answered the concerns about the Waylon comparisons.
“Maybe it’s an attitude thing more than a music thing,” says Sturgill. “Waylon really is a guy I probably discovered later on and listened to the least. Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard and Keith Whitley—guys like that were huge influences. I love Waylon. I like the funky disco kind of feel, and I incorporate a little bit of that in my music. But when I’m in singing, man if I’m imitating anybody, I’m trying to sound like three or four other people.”
Sturgill then goes on to say,
“You know what I honestly believe? I think it’s psychosomatic. I think people really want somebody right now to sound like Waylon Jennings. They want somebody to walk out on stage with a big, giant flag that says, ‘Fuck You.’ Believe me, it is frustrating, because it makes me feel like I haven’t done a very good job of really getting my voice down. It’s like, ‘Am I not very original in my approach?’ But there’s a hell of a lot worse things you can be told than, ‘Hey man, you sound like Waylon Jennings.’ I’ll take it a compliment, even when I’m burnt the fuck out hearing it.”
But there’s one person Sturgill’s probably not burnt out hearing about it from.
Sturgill Simpson and Merle Haggard were hanging out earlier this year at California’s Stagecoach Festival, and Merle had nothing but nice things to say about Sturgill at the time. “I think he’s just about the brightest ”Žstar around right now,” Merle said.
And in a recent interview with Billboard, Merle was singing Sturgill’s praises once again. When asked about new artists, Merle said Sturgill was “about the only one that I can tell you I’m excited about.”
“You hear a lot of Waylon [Jennings], a lot of George [Jones],” said Haggard. “He’s got something going energy-wise that I haven’t seen in a long time.”
Something tells me Sturgill doesn’t mind Merle’s Waylon comparison. If he does, he can bring it up to Merle when they play a show together with Kris Kristofferson in Moorhead, MN at the Bluestem Amphitheater on September 8th.
– – – – – – –
August 4, 2015 @ 6:51 pm
First impressions are the strongest, and the first time I listened to Sturgill, I thought this guy sounds a little like Waylon. That was before I heard other people make that comparison, and before I knew there was a website called savingcountrymusic.
I’m glad there’s finally a topic specifically about this because, while it comes up often, it always seems like a tangent. This seems like a great place to explain why I think his sound reminds me of waylon. I’ll state upfront, I’m not a musician, and other people would have better vocabulary to say this. I think it’s really about ambience, and tonality. Sturgill sings with a lot of variation in his volume, sometimes he wails full blast, other times he’s singing in a near whisper tone like a late night campfire conversation. More than other country singers, Waylon did that a lot. You hear it on some songs more than others. Water in a well is a good example. I can almost pretend it’s waylon singing that song.
They aren’t identical, not even close. Sturgill has more twang in his voice than Waylon, and in my opinion, just doesn’t have as much range as Waylon did in his young days. Waylon enunciated better, but that might be the twang factor. The comparison is not invalid, but who knows, it could be partly psychosomatic. I was on a big Waylon kick when I first heard Sturgill.
August 5, 2015 @ 6:12 am
I disagree with you on range for Sturgill. I actually think he has much more range than Waylon ever really showed us. Waylon and Sturgill being baritone voice types, Waylon was much more comfortable staying in lower baritone registers and not stretching that very far. Although he did stretch his pitch on many songs. Whereas Sturgill has shown many times that he can stretch into a “baritenor” and even tenor or better put can reach higher pitches than Waylon attempted on his records. I know that’s a pretty simplistic view of vocal range/register/type.
I love both of them but I think Sturgill will continue to show us his broader vocal range in upcoming records.
August 4, 2015 @ 6:52 pm
Shit, you couldn’t throw in a blurb about how awesome Jason Isbell is in this article?
August 4, 2015 @ 7:02 pm
C’mon, he obviously sounds a lot like Waylon. I would be tired of the comparisons too, but the similarities are hardly “shallow and misguided.” There’s a reason why everyone thought of Waylon when they first heard the ‘Meta-Modern Sounds’ album.
August 4, 2015 @ 7:18 pm
I’m not saying all of the Waylon comparisons are shallow and misguided, I’m saying some of them are. Frankly, I don’t think he’s sounds like Waylon. I hear some similarities, but I hear certain similarities between a lot of singers. I’d been listening to Sturgill sing for years before I ever thought of Waylon, and it’s because others were making that comparison. I think the notion became widespread when lazy journalists saw it as an easy parallel. And like Sturgill says, some people want him to be the second coming of Waylon, and so maybe they hear Waylon when Sturgill sings. I’ve always thought of Sturgill as Sturgill.
August 5, 2015 @ 6:41 am
I agree Trig. Lazy journalists have continued to recycle this mantra of Sturgill sounding like Waylon and it has kinda stuck on him.
August 5, 2015 @ 8:57 am
Part of the problem is a lot of the appeal for Strurgill resides outside of country music, so you have “entertainment” journalists with only elementary understandings of country making these shallow observances.
November 18, 2023 @ 1:34 pm
Merle was a bad person. He cheated and swindled Waylon in a poker game, then left hi. broke and got out of the place. Waylon nevee forgave Merle that
August 4, 2015 @ 7:42 pm
My question is how would Waylon feel about having The Hag compare anyone to him, especially in a positive fashion? I know there was a lot of bad blood between them. It’s interesting to hear Merle say something like that.
August 5, 2015 @ 4:41 am
I truly believe that Merle Haggard was always jealous of Waylon Jennings. Since Waylon’s passing, Merle Haggard has made several disparaging remarks about Waylon. God (Merle do you know Him) made each of us in His image and likeness, and not man’s. No one coming or going has a voice comparable to Waylon jennings’. So Sturgill Simpson should really stop trying to make himself look (and feel) good. Because the Waylon Jennings I came to know and respect didn’t give a damn about anyone comparing his voice to others. As a matter of fact, he talked against such foolishness.
April 21, 2018 @ 2:34 pm
You just wasted everyone’s time. Thanks for making what world a worse place than it was before you started typing.
August 4, 2015 @ 7:50 pm
It’s better than someone saying “You sound like Jason Aldean”
Lebron gets compared to Jordan. Greatness always brings comparisons. Sturgill’s voice sounds a lot like Waylon at times and I don’t think anyone can deny it. Pretty girls get sick of hearing “you’re so pretty”, but a compliment is a compliment.
August 4, 2015 @ 8:02 pm
Well said. Agree 100%
August 4, 2015 @ 8:02 pm
I agree with Merle, Sturgill is one of the most exciting things we have in music. Hands down one of the greatest song writers we have in any genre. I study this guy, know his music like the back of my hand and read every interview. The sky is the limit. But he needs to quit worrying with the Waylon comparisons. He’s right, people long for that sound but Simpson is distinctly different especially in his music. He can’t hide from the voice similarities but who cares? Your talking about one of the greatest ever so embrace it. Sturgill is so on the edge. Like pressure building that could burst if pushed further. He needs to embrace the love.
To Triggers point, it seems he is out to prove he is something different on this new album. I can’t wait to hear it.
August 4, 2015 @ 8:34 pm
I FEEL SO BAD FOR POOR STURGILL, who keeps suffering this indignity of being compared to the great Waylon Jennings. Just kidding. I know he takes the comparisons in stride.
August 4, 2015 @ 8:25 pm
Am I the only one who doesn’t think he sounds at all like Waylon?
August 4, 2015 @ 9:42 pm
I didn’t hear it until someone else pointed out. And then pointed it out again, and again, and….
August 4, 2015 @ 8:56 pm
Its wierd that Sturgil gets the Waylon comparison and not Whitey Morgan, who I think sounds more like Waylon than anyone else does.
August 4, 2015 @ 9:08 pm
Whitey is the red-headed stepchild in all of this.
Everyone seems to keep forgetting about him but he’s just there plugging away. And I agree with Banner I think Whitey sounds more like Waylon than anyone else.
I have this image of Sturgill, Whitey, and Jason holding the new country flag saying…Come And Take It…
August 4, 2015 @ 9:41 pm
Yes, if Waylon has a modern incarnation, it is Whitey. When Sturgill talked about a guy with a big giant flag that says “Fuck You,” that’s Whitey. Whitey is the guy with the Waylon sound and the Waylon approach, with his own style mixed in there too. Whitey is ten times more Waylon than Sturgill. But because Sturgill kinda sorta sounds like Waylon when he sings, the Waylon comparisons are made with Sturgill and not Whitey. That’s why I say the Waylon comparisons to Sturgill are kind of shallow.
August 5, 2015 @ 4:44 am
I agree Trigger !!!!
August 5, 2015 @ 7:18 am
Yes, dead on. I actually like Whitey’s voice better than Sturgill. I really don’t thing Sturgill sounds like Waylon Jennings. It never crossed my mind until I started hearing it from everyone else.
August 5, 2015 @ 7:24 am
Wheres the “like” button when you need one lol
August 4, 2015 @ 9:10 pm
They’re both deep-voiced country singers who sing with a little bit of growl, of course we’re going to conpare them. I think what really makes people tick with the Waylon comparisons is that Waylon is retrospectively viewed as having saved Country music in the 70’s, and people are looking for Sturgill to do the same thing now.
August 4, 2015 @ 10:27 pm
A growl? I hear it in Sturgill but Waylon Jennings had one of the smoothest singing voices I’ve ever heard. Yes, when his vocals got excited there was a harsh crescendo, but it sounded great. Nobody will ever do that instant and beautiful crescendo like George Jones did, but Waylon was easily the closest to it.
August 5, 2015 @ 6:44 am
Listen to his Honky Tonk Heroes live versions. Waylon definitely growls quite a bit. And I love it!
August 5, 2015 @ 1:26 pm
Outlaw bit is another good example
August 4, 2015 @ 9:34 pm
Vocally, he doesn’t sound like Waylon. I think the Waylon comparisons come merely from the pulsating kick drum and whirling phase shifter guitar effect on his first album.
August 4, 2015 @ 11:01 pm
Sometimes it’s hard for me to decide who I’m sick of hearing about more: Waylon or Sturgill?
I mean, I know Waylon Jennings invented Country music in 1974, and this new guy sings about really cool stuff like drugs, and turtles, and hating God, with Waylon’s voice; but enough’s enough. You know?
August 4, 2015 @ 11:16 pm
“I know Waylon Jennings invented Country music in 1974”
I thought Johnny Cash did that 😉
Who’s Waylon Jennings anyway? Is he an old fart or a jackass?
August 5, 2015 @ 4:43 am
Eric, you hit it on the head!!!!!!
August 5, 2015 @ 6:09 am
I would love to administer a test on country music history to the bros! The answers would be hysterical!
Who is the father of country music?
A: Johnny Cash
Who recorded “Who’s gonna Fill Their Shoes?”
A; Johnny Cash
Which country music legend went to see Johnny Cash at San Quentin?
A: K.T. Oslin
Which country celebrity started the outlaw movement?
A: Tupac
August 5, 2015 @ 11:14 am
You are severely overestimating the bros by assuming that they have even heard the name of KT Oslin…
January 7, 2017 @ 1:28 am
Hell no Tupac are you serious Cash was on outlaw before tupac was a twinkle in his mamas eye and he didn’t need lables than either thats like when the allowed nwa into the rock and roll hall of fame nwa has nothing to do with rock its not even rock and roll its crap and tupac knew nothing about an outlaw hell he was just wishin
May 19, 2017 @ 11:07 am
Shooter Jennings.
August 5, 2015 @ 6:44 am
Yes Eric, I should’ve been more specific, as it was actually a concerted effort between all four Highwaymen. Sorry for the confusion.
August 5, 2015 @ 5:41 am
Hating god. Where?
August 5, 2015 @ 6:00 am
You sir, deserve all the likes! I’m not an atheist but that was funny!
August 5, 2015 @ 8:10 am
Ok Clint, the problem with you never actually listening to Sturgill’s music or going to see his shows is that you make idiotic accusations that are quite disparaging to Sturgill.
1. You’ve said he’s a tribute act,
Though you’ve never seen him play live which is 100% different than a Waylon show. You’ve never actually seen him cover bluegrass songs & mix them with TRex and send the crowd through the roof. You’ve said his talent is not worth more than $5, which proves how little you know. He sold out 3 concerts at the Ryman & many people who’ve actually seen him live are willing to shell out $150 for a ticket. And you can’t blame that on the sorry state of country music, because a lot of the people vying to see his shows were never country fans, they just love to hear him play live
2. Hating God
That’s a pretty awful accusation. If you had any knowledge of his music, you can tell that Sturgill is indoctrined in the Christian faith. From the song Jesus Boogie in his Sunday Valley days up to MetaModern, he’s constantly incorporating Christianity into his songs. I guess your statement is about Turtles, where he’s questioning the irony of Christians exclusivity. Pretty deep to wrap your head around, but not at all hating God.
You get so pissed when people make statements about you that you don’t believe are true. That’s why it’s so frustrating to read your comments about Sturgill, when you relatively know nothing about him.
My suggestion is to either learn more about him, stop commenting on every single Sturgill post, or add the disclaimer *never actually listened to Sturgill’s music or have seen him play* to each of your Sturgill comments.
August 5, 2015 @ 9:20 am
Wicket, it is fairly obvious that Clint really has nothing to contribute and is only here to spread hate. It is truly unfortunate that his avatar and comments re-enforce the misguided perceptions of people who disparage country music fans as being ignorant homophobes and racists. His kind are actually responsible for killing country music.
I love that we have Sturgill Simpson around to continue the heritage of performers like Waylon Jennings. And his writing is pointing the way to other avenues available to country artists and opening the doors to new fans outside of “country” music.
May 19, 2017 @ 11:17 am
So Clint’s “kind” are who killed country music? Jesus Christ you seriously don’t know what you’re talking about at all. Even if the cat is filled with hate for homos which has your panties in a wad, it was NOT those who are conservative that killed country music. If you knew anything about the actual industry you would know that the insiders, the puppet masters are all liberal as hell, typically from NY or L.A. and have a background in rock and pop music. They also are either agnostic, atheist, or into some kind of new age bullshit. Almost without fail they are perfectly fine with homosexuality.
So you have this all backwards man. I don’t think Clint is some genius or something and I’m not defending some of the stupid things he’s said, but we know that country music was killed by people without country values. This is very simple.
August 5, 2015 @ 8:02 pm
Not getting into y’all’s argument but actually Sturhill is on the record many times saying he is not religious. I would never defend Clint but the reality is Sturgill makes more than just a few snide God remarks in quite a few songs actually.
August 6, 2015 @ 6:32 am
Ha! Like what?
August 5, 2015 @ 1:29 pm
I’m pretty sure that Ray Wylie Hubbard wrote “Up against the wall Redneck Mother” specifically about Clint.
August 4, 2015 @ 11:04 pm
Twenty years from now, I hope my son hears an out-of-this-world country music talent and compares him – wrong or right – to Sturgill just as I hear folks comparing Sturgill to Waylon now. Regardless of opinions (my own 2 cents: Sturgill sounds like Sturgill – a wholly original artist), I’m all for Sturgill and Waylon getting maximum exposure in 2015 and beyond.
I know a lot of folks are inclined to compartmentalize music via the “recommended if you like” tag, but the foolishness of that is evident in this Sturgill-Waylon dealio. Why gloss over the immense talent of someone like Sturgill just to find a tenuous comparison point? Instead, why not enjoy his tunes for what they are – badass and original – and get excited about the fact that in a world full of stale music, country music has some head turners with Sturgill at the forefront? It’s the most exciting time to be a county music fan since the early- and mid-1980s.
August 4, 2015 @ 11:34 pm
Or rather 40 years from now, given the time gap between Waylon’s rise and Sturgill’s rise.
August 5, 2015 @ 4:34 am
I love Sturgill even more now that he said Marty Robbins was one of his huge influences! 😀
August 5, 2015 @ 5:40 am
Moorhead*
It’s part of the Fargo area metro. I might be going to that show.
August 5, 2015 @ 6:19 am
I think one of the biggest things is like Sturgill said. A lot of people want somebody to sound like Waylon these days. I hear a little similarities , but agree with others that I get more of being Waylon-like from Whitey. Just my opinion.
August 5, 2015 @ 6:48 am
Yea Whitey is pretty unabashed in his love for Waylon. And Whitey’s approach to music is much more in the Outlaw vein than Sturgill’s is. I love both of their approaches to music but I believe Sturgill will give us a different look in this new album than we expected. Whereas I believe Whitey will continue to stick to his bread and butter of raising hell Outlaw music.
August 5, 2015 @ 7:10 am
Why not? I saw him a week ago. He sounds like Waylon. That’s not a bad thing, but there’s a definite influence.
August 5, 2015 @ 7:31 am
“But there”™s one person Sturgill”™s probably not burnt out hearing about it from.”…hmm, maybe there’s two.
I like how your article is about how Sturgill probably doesn’t mind how Merle said Sturgill reminds him of Waylon, but in the podcast, Sturgill only mentions how Shooter said it and he doesn’t mind. Ok. I guess Shooter has no credibility so why would you mention that….. Not surprised.
August 5, 2015 @ 9:07 am
Oh jeez Bunch. With all due respect to Shooter, Merle Haggard is a Top 5, maybe Top 3 entertainer in the history of country music. That’s why his endorsement means so much. That doesn’t mean Shooter’s isn’t worth anything, but it’s probably not something worthy of writing an article about. I embedded the entire podcast where people can listen for themselves and hear the Shooter portion, so I’m not trying to hide or omit anything here.
August 5, 2015 @ 7:48 am
Sturgill should listen to more Waylon, cause there is a whole lot more than “this disco thing going on” Waylon’s career was long and his catalog of music was insanely huge. Give “live at j.d.’s” a spin, Jon Simpson.
August 5, 2015 @ 8:47 am
Loved Merle”™s parting shot in that Billboard interview:
“Well-behaved country music artists seldom make history.”
August 5, 2015 @ 9:16 am
On first hearing Life Ain’t Fair and You Can Have the Crown I immediately made a Waylon connection. The other songs not so much.
As an aside I don’t find Meta-modern to be as good an album as High Top Mtn. Hell, I spin his Sunday Valley album more.
August 5, 2015 @ 9:26 am
As Flying J said, he sounds a lot like Waylon on “You Can Have the Crown.” He sounds like Waylon in a few others too, but not every song. I even think he sounds like him on “Long White Line.”
It’s okay for people to think that. Not hurting a thing.
August 5, 2015 @ 10:00 am
I saw Sturgill for the first time during a trip to Austin when he taped a show for Austin City Limits (hopefully to be shown this fall!). I live in New Orleans, an otherwise wonderfully musical city that is strangely devoid of country music and bluegrass. So, I had never heard of Sturgill before. I have a unique viewpoint as a result.
It only took two songs for me to say “he sounds like Waylon. Music is a little different, but he definitely sounds like Waylon.” He tore it up, and the crowd was going nuts. I had tears in my eyes. There is hope in the world.
And I’m sure he just doesn’t want to be labeled as the second coming of Waylon, but as a unique musician with a variety of influences. And, like I said, the music style is definitely different. But the comparison is definitely there.
August 5, 2015 @ 10:22 am
Maybe because my first introduction to Sturgill were those live Sunday Valley videos I watched here around 2011 (I still deeply regret not buying the MP3 version of the Sunday Valley album when I had the chance), but I didn’t make the Waylon connection when I first heard him. Even now, I would just say their voices are of a similar tone. And as far as the beyond absurd notion of him being a Waylon tribute act goes, I would say that he has probably written and recorded more of his own songs on his first two solo albums than Waylon did in his whole career (The Wiki page “Songs Written by Waylon Jennings” lists 17 songs). And that is not a knock on Waylon. Just odd that a “tribute” act would write so many of his own songs.
The very first time I heard Richard Thompson, I thought his voice sounded similar to David Byrne. As I got deeper into his music, I totally forgot about that until my brother listed it as one of the reasons why he couldn’t get into him.
August 5, 2015 @ 12:12 pm
I think anyone who started with Sturgill in Sunday Valley (like myself) is going to be on the outside looking in to these Waylon comparisons. I hear the slight vocal similarities in his new stuff, but the Sunday Valley stuff didn’t really have any of that. Though it still definitively sounds like Sturgill.
August 5, 2015 @ 11:34 am
First time I listened to Sturgill Simpson, I thought he sounded a whole lot like Waylon and I still do.
Nothing wrong with that.
August 5, 2015 @ 3:36 pm
Really folks? Go see Sturgill in concert IF you can get a ticket. The first time I heard him was with Sunday Valley. I knew immediately that there was something special about him. Different. Did he remind me of Waylon? No. He didn’t remind me of anyone, that’s how I knew he was special. What I do know about Sturgill is that his voice is incredibly strong. His band is TIGHT. His live show is incredible. (I’ve seen him 4 times the first time having to sneak in). I don’t believe he has even scraped the top of his songwriting capability. I made sure my six year old son sat on the front row with me to see Sturgill too because I wanted him to be able to tell his grandkids about seeing Sturgill Simpson in a little dive in Bowling Green, KY. That’s the staying power I believe Sturgill has. I’m not comparing him to Waylon or Merle, or Willie, but I do believe one day he will be considered as important to country music as they were.
August 5, 2015 @ 7:06 pm
Maybe i misheard or misunderstood but didn’t he say in the interview that he has no desire to do another country album?
August 5, 2015 @ 8:24 pm
Personally I think he sounds like Waylon in some songs, Sammy Kershaw in others and Keith Whitley in others. But when a Sturgill song comes on you know it’s Sturgill Simpson. In the statement about Sturgill not doing another Country album I will say I won’t be buying another one of his CD’s. I am like Clint in that I get tired of hearing GD and talk about drugs in the lyrics. Unfortunately, we live in a totally different world than the one I grew up in. It would be a crying shame if he did something that wasn’t considered country, not the modern country they play on the radio but the real definition of country. If you ever been to Eastern Kentucky, his voice echoes the music from where he’s from. I wouldn’t be surprised that his family members haven’t said something like, “Do you really have to say GD to emphasize your point on that really great song” Anyway, that’s my 2 cents whatever thats worth. I am a big fan of Sturgill’s thats for sure.
Todd Villars
August 5, 2015 @ 10:15 pm
I wouldn’t say that he sounds like Waylon, he just has a voice that is reminiscent of old. That’s why Merle said Waylon and George. I just saw him live at lollapalooza in Chicago and he absolutely killed it. I didn’t think anyone was going to top the Alabama shakes performance from the previous day but stirgill really blew me away, his guitarist is also phenomenal I would recommend seeing him live to anyone, he’s on hell of an act
August 6, 2015 @ 5:43 am
I’ve seen him live three times and at no point during any of the shows did his voice or his sound ever remind me of Waylon. But when I listen to both records I can hear it in places…makes me wonder if Dave Cobb just really wants Sturgill to sound like Waylon.
I’d love to see him do an album with another producer.
As for the hating God comments, Turtles is probably one of the most truly Christian songs I’ve ever heard. If this guy is anything, he is grossly misunderstood.
August 7, 2015 @ 1:56 pm
Word.
August 6, 2015 @ 10:29 am
When I listen to Sturgill, I hear Jerry Reed…….go figure.
August 9, 2015 @ 10:21 am
I think people hear what they want to hear. I don’t hear Waylon OR Jerry Reed.
August 6, 2015 @ 1:02 pm
My Mom, heard “Life of Sin” and said Sturgill sounded like Dwight Yoakam. Possibly sound wise, but I am not sure. Thoughts?
August 8, 2015 @ 10:12 pm
Am I the only one here that thinks Sturgill sounds like Keith Whitley?
August 8, 2015 @ 10:46 pm
I definitely hear Whitley in Sturgill’s phrasing and writing. Sturgill’s phrasing is so much closer to Whitley’s than Waylon’s. It’s just the tone of his voice some compare to Waylon.
August 11, 2015 @ 5:12 pm
Why is everyone comparing Sturgill Simpson to Waylon Jennings? I think the way his band sounds livre and on the albums is like any band in the Texas music scene. Most bands cover Waylon, and Willie, and Haggard, and Cash. It’s just what touring bands do at bars.
Does anyone think he looks like Vern Gosdin? Vern’s damn sexy and Sturgill’s working it., Go Stu!!!!
February 1, 2016 @ 7:54 am
Love Waylon? Listen to this new song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gALmi7BeLIM
March 16, 2016 @ 8:10 am
It’s not just the voice comparisons. It’s the songs, the tempos, the tones of the guitars, the drums, the bass lines, the chords. He does a good job of taking the sound and expanding on it, but the Waylon foundation is there. Especially in the way that Waylon so perfectly blended 70’s rock with country music. I think Sturgill should enjoy it. I heard one of his tunes on KEXP’s Swingin’ Doors the other day. I thought it was a lost Waylon tune until he started talking about his cell phone. I still liked the tune when Don Slack said it was Sturgill. It didn’t change my opinion. Not a fan of the new single from Simpson. It will be interesting to listen to where the rest of the album goes. (Post Script – I agree with the Whitey Morgan comments. Both guys are taking that sound and giving it their own feel. I saw both bands at the Tractor (Seattle, WA) last year and had a great time. It’s not the worst offense in music to take influence from a great. Especially if you’re able to add yourself to it and make your own contributions. They both have achieved that)
March 22, 2016 @ 9:14 am
I finally got a chance to listen to the Sunday Valley stuff. Fantastic, fun, and totally different. Thanks to whomever it was in this string that mentioned it.
It definitely leads you to believe that somewhere between Sunday Valley and Sturgill, a Waylon influence was incorporated. The Sunday Valley singing, playing, band, etc.. is so different. What a blast. Its a little Skynyrd, a little bluegrass, a little bit country, and a little bit rock n’ roll. A lot of fun for sure.
September 11, 2024 @ 11:12 pm
I agree with Liams perspective. I can’t listen to Sturgill and un-hear Waylon. He’s in every note, every nuance, every line. It literally feels like I’m listening to unreleased, mysterious, magical Waylon records from beyond the grave. I can’t and never will be able to separate the two. Every single nuance of SS vocal, delivery, accent, style, approach, mic proximity, it’s identical (for me). The bass lines, guitars, production, style of pedal steel all sounds like Waylon Worship 6000. Waylon even had experimental albums that were somewhat mysterious and nuanced like Hanging Tough in 1987, one of the most underrated Waylon records (for me). I have nothing bad to say about Sturgill or his music, but it is what it is. (for me).
February 24, 2020 @ 12:15 pm
These sentiments aged well.
April 27, 2023 @ 6:37 pm
There is no comparison between Simpson and Jennings. Half the time Simpson sounds he’s singing with a sock in his mouth. Vintage Waylon…circa 1972 to 1980…can never be replicated. Witnessed Waylon live several times during the 70s and he never disappointed. There can never be another Waylon Jennings. Not even close! Take your wannabees and play somewhere else.