Jason Isbell & Sturgill Simpson Share Stage in Tuscaloosa for “Amarillo Highway”
You would be hard pressed to find two hotter names in independent roots music at the moment than country revivalist Sturgill Simpson and Americana stalwart Jason Isbell. Though the duo has never done a full on tour together, they’ve shared many bills over the years, including playing sold out nights at the Country Music Mother Church in Nashville, aka The Ryman Auditorium, and both playing Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic earlier this summer.
Beyond sharing bills, big rocketing career trajectories, and both employing the services of super producer Dave Cobb, the two artists appear to have a greater kinship off the stage. But for whatever reason, we’ve never seen the two men on stage together, until now.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama was treated to a ridiculous lineup on Thursday, October 15th at the Tuscaloosa Ampitheater, where Alabama-born Jason Isbell was headlining a show with Grammy-nominated Sturgill Simpson and Brandy Clark opening. Not only did the crowd get treated to one of the most amazing lineups to be assembled for a local show in recent memory, but Jason Isbell—once employed by the Drive-By Truckers for his lead guitar skills—walked out on stage during Sturgill Simpson’s set to join his band in a rendition of “Amarillo Highway” by Terry Allen.
Though the scene was Tuscaloosa, the spirit was of the Texas Panhandle and one of the greatest country piano players to ever suck air. Finally seeing these two titans of roots music on the stage together, and playing such a cool song, is something to behold.
Sturgill will be taking after Isbell and making an appearance on Austin City Limits Saturday, 10-17.
October 16, 2015 @ 9:48 am
That is such a great song, what a super video on that one. I never heard of Jason Isbell but I will check out soon on him. Thanks Kyle!
October 16, 2015 @ 12:08 pm
It took me a while to get into Jason Isbell, I think it was because he isn’t exactly a country singer but I love his music and one of my favourites now.
October 17, 2015 @ 9:19 am
He’s a little bit of everything, country, rock, blues, etc. It took me awhile too but now he’s one of the few I listen to on a regular basis.
October 16, 2015 @ 9:52 am
Cool, but I much prefer the REK version. I used to eschew the assessment that Sturgill’s voice effect makes it difficult to understand the words, but that assessment is definitely true in this song. Waylon knew when to use it. Sturgill uses it too much.
October 18, 2015 @ 1:59 am
I agree to some extent, but I think that’s really what makes him so interesting to listen to.
October 18, 2015 @ 6:03 pm
Agreed. It’s one primary reason I’ve never been able to get into/enjoy his music, and I’ve tried multiple times.
October 19, 2015 @ 8:29 pm
Can someone please explain to me how people think Sturgill sounds anything like Waylon? I’m a lifelong Waylon fan and I swear, I just don’t hear it. Their voices are completely different. Maybe he uses similar phrasing, but that’s about it to these ears.
October 19, 2015 @ 8:48 pm
I hear a slight resemblance in his voice, though I think way too much is made of those comparisons. One of the things not given enough credit for linking Sturgill to Waylon is the reliance of the pounding bass drum steady on the beat. There’s some Richie Albright in the drumming style.
October 19, 2015 @ 9:11 pm
I’ll definitely give you that, and I agree that the Albright driving kick drum sound is probably the main comparison, not the voice. To me, he sounds like a mash up of John Anderson and John Conlee more than he ever would sound like Waylon, but I guess comparisons to those two don’t sound as cool. 🙂
October 16, 2015 @ 10:09 am
Wow that’s bad ass! Agree with you RD as I too prefer Robert Earl Keen doing the song, but what’s cool about this is seeing them two together. Nicely done
October 16, 2015 @ 10:14 am
Is Sturgill’s
October 16, 2015 @ 10:19 am
Is Sturgill’s ACL performance going to be taped Saturday, or is that when it’s going to air?
October 16, 2015 @ 10:43 am
It was taped a few months back. Saturday is the premier airing with Asleep At The Wheel.
October 16, 2015 @ 10:54 am
The unabashed Sturgill Simpson fan that I am definitely digs it. This is how it is done son.
October 16, 2015 @ 11:26 am
at Sturgill’s February show in Detroit the house music included Terry’s version. I was happy as hell to hear it then, but seeing Sturgill and Jason play it would have been insane! glad Terry’s getting some play out there. anyone reading this that hasn’t heard of Terry Allen should check out his music.
October 16, 2015 @ 3:18 pm
Those two on stage together have more talent than Luke Bryan and Flordia Georgia Line have douchiness.
That is a LOT of talent.
October 16, 2015 @ 3:45 pm
Remember when Sturgill shared the stage with Zac Brown? This is way cooler.
October 16, 2015 @ 5:18 pm
Thankfully someone had Brains too get Video of this.
October 16, 2015 @ 6:30 pm
We went down to Tuscaloosa last night. It was a dream triple bill. Headliner Jason Isbell with Sturgill and Brandy Clark! Outdoor amphitheater with about 5-6,000 folks, who sang every word of every song Isbell did. It was 3-1/2 hours of pure bliss. So worth the 6-hour round trip drive.
October 16, 2015 @ 7:34 pm
That was Suh-SWEET! Damn I am so glad somebody like these cats is out there making music.
October 16, 2015 @ 7:58 pm
Love this song. Got off the plane today and this was the first song i heard on KOKE fm in the car, TA version. Makes you feel good to be back home.
I love both versions, the original and REK version. Such a great song written by a great musician. Really cool to see two younger artist paying tribute to TA. Shows how much influence these older cats have on these up and coming artist. Not that either one of these artists haven’t paid their dues, but they are finally getting the recognition they deserve. At the same time, they do a great job at making it clear where they stand and come from.
October 17, 2015 @ 3:04 am
In about a decade, after sturgill is done making music, these two need to make a duo album together, that would be amazing.
October 17, 2015 @ 8:35 am
It is nice to see this venue make the news. I remember going to the local public hearings about the city’s riverfront development years ago, and talking with planners,architects,and consultants. I watched it grow from idea to reality. Isbell/Sturgill combo plus Brandy Clark all in one evening = job well done by whoever put that together.Aaron Lewis covering Stapleton’s Whiskey and You at another Tuscaloosa venue a couple weeks ago was also a treat for me. After years of just bland corporate radio in the local market, a Birmingham Americana station finally expanded its reach to Tuscaloosa, and does play some of these artists who aren’t “mainstream.”
October 17, 2015 @ 11:36 pm
Great song!! I would love to get my hands on the album that the original is on, Lubbock on Everything, I have it on Spotify but that is not the same. Also nice seeing these too pay homage to Terry Allen.
October 19, 2015 @ 8:24 pm
I grabbed up a copy years ago when Sugar Hill reissued it on CD in the early 90s. The entire album is a masterpiece and filled with Texas songwriting 101. For me, it’s Townes, Guy, and Terry Allen…then everyone else.
All Terry’s albums have brilliant songs but front to back, Lubbock (on Everything) is as classic as Red Headed Stranger or Old No. 1.
October 20, 2015 @ 10:07 am
What a great video. I have seen Sturgill and Isbell twice this year. Isabel will be traveling down that hard Amarillo Highway on 10/29 to play a show for all of us simple Amarillo folks. They are both amazing live.
October 21, 2015 @ 8:37 am
I just can’t love the piano…I thought that when I saw Sturgill a month or so ago and watching this reinforces that feeling for me.
October 21, 2015 @ 6:01 pm
Personally the Jake Kellen Aaron Watson version is a bit better, maybe cause they are actually from Texas so it just has more feeling.