Keith Urban Wears Sturgill Simpson Shirt on American Idol
If you’re anything like me, you hate how these stupid television reality show singing competitions are doing their level best to suck independent music fans into their diabolical fold. Either it shows how desperate they are for new viewers, or shows how independent music is truly permeating culture in ways never seen before. If it’s the latter, then I guess we should take it as a positive sign.
On Wednesday night’s American Idol, previously-known Sturgill Simpson fan and Idol judge Keith Urban came out sporting a T-shirt from the Kentucky-born singer/songwriter, undoubtedly coaxing scores of American Idol fans to dutifully pull out their smartphones and start Googling away. Saving Country Music has definitely seen an uptick in Sturgill traffic from the exposure.
Keith Urban let his fandom for Sturgill Simpson first be known when in late July/early August of 2014 when he tweeted out his admiration and blamed Jake Owen for cluing him in.
Then in a January interview with Rolling Stone, in the context of who might play the annual Vince Gill and Keith Urban-organized “All 4 The Hall” fundraiser event for the Country Music Hall of Fame, Urban was quoted as saying, “We should just basically start with [Sturgill Simpson] and pick the theme based on him. He’s the best.”
Amongst all of Sturgill’s other big accomplishments, it looks like he found a way to make his first primetime debut. Sturg is currently out on the road as part of a (mostly) sold-out theater tour, and will be releasing his first major label album for Atlantic later in 2015.
March 25, 2015 @ 6:00 pm
You seem to have a love/hate relationship with reality singing shows. On the one hand, you have praised American Idol multiple times for shining light on great vocalists. On the other hand, you are calling it “stupid” and “diabolical” here.
March 25, 2015 @ 6:09 pm
I don’t know that I’ve ever “praised” American Idol. I have admitted that the reality singling competition tends to vet natural singers better than, let’s say, Music Row. But I wouldn’t take that as an endorsement.
March 26, 2015 @ 8:42 am
I can get natural singers better than music row.
March 27, 2015 @ 10:05 pm
My grandmother could get better natural talent than Music Row, and she’s deaf in one ear and hearing-impaired in the other!
March 25, 2015 @ 6:14 pm
It would certainly be interesting if at some point Keith and Sturgill collaborate.
March 26, 2015 @ 9:02 am
Please no.
March 26, 2015 @ 9:44 am
I’d be all for that as long as you’re talking about Keith Stegall.
March 25, 2015 @ 6:17 pm
Hey, he’s just hipping people to Sturgill I guess.
March 25, 2015 @ 6:45 pm
He’s also on the lineup for Lollapallooza. As is Shakey Graves.
March 25, 2015 @ 7:32 pm
Isbell passed up gold on The Voice…
March 25, 2015 @ 7:59 pm
The audience was all females, except for one happy male, behind Urban. Who is the blonde judge? I don’t watch reality musical contests.
March 25, 2015 @ 9:39 pm
Jennifer Lopez.
March 25, 2015 @ 8:21 pm
I’m not saying that Toby Keith Urban isn’t a fan of Sturgill…but when Sturgill became the NPR darling and even the Anti-Christ himself, Scott Bruscetta gave him props for his success without mainstream radio airplay…those in the Nashville Hit Grinder are looking for indie cred (see Gary Church having Dwight Yoakam and J.D. McPherson opening) are playing up how “underground” they are….
March 25, 2015 @ 8:34 pm
I think Keith Urban Cowboy sincerely does like Sturgeon Simpson and Keith Whitley Morgan.
March 26, 2015 @ 8:22 pm
Yeah, if nothing else, Keith Urban appreciates a good guitar player.
March 30, 2015 @ 2:56 pm
Agreed. I actually think Keith is a pretty genuine guy. I have watched every episode of the past 3 seasons of Idol where he’s been a judge (DON’T JUDGE ME – I HAVE TO DO IT FOR MY JOB) and, whilst I’m not a fan of his music, I do think he’s a genuine music fan. I think it’s awesome that he’s choosing to actively shine a light on artists like Sturgill. Also, choosing to wear a Sturgill t-shirt on a show like Idol, I think he’s doing it to actively promote him. Think of the millions that got to see that shirt. Good on him, I say.
March 26, 2015 @ 12:46 am
I’m sorry….. but if Jimmy Webb, Kasey Musgraves , Don Schlitz , Bob Dipietro , Tom Douglas or Billy Joel or about 500 other Songriters with a capital ” S ” tweeted for me to listen to someone , I might pay attention . Jake Owen tells Keith Urban who tweets to the masses about a songwriter ? c’mon – what’s wrong with THIS hotline ?
March 26, 2015 @ 12:49 am
If you are a Sturgill fan, you should be very grateful about this. Keith Urban has a far greater platform than any of the other names you mentioned.
March 26, 2015 @ 4:24 am
Why should we be grateful? I can still listen to Sturgill, or Chris Knight, or Jason Boland, or Corb Lund, even though most morons have no idea who they are. Why do they need to have a pint-sized schlock singer wear their t-shirt for me to enjoy their music?
March 26, 2015 @ 5:00 am
But if you believe in SCM and the cause then it’s a good thing. It isn’t all about What’s we can find. Most music fans don’t dig for what they listen to like us SCM frequenters.
March 26, 2015 @ 7:08 am
Sure, you can enjoy Sturgill Simpson without him becoming a big star, no doubt. But do you want to enjoy him for two records and three concerts in a smoky bar with bad sound and a dim-lit stage before he says “fuck this, I need to buy a house and my kids need soccer cleats, so I better work on the railroad,” or would you like to see him become a huge star and release fifteen records over the course of a thirty year career, all the while telling your friends, “holy hell I saw that dude at {insert name of shitty bar you watched him in} back in 2011.”
Also, do you want to live in an America where extraordinarily talented songwriters find it more rewarding to work on the railroad, or one where they become big stars? I thought we’d never see a time again when a legitimate, honest-to-god brilliant performer has a remote chance to attain newly minted stardom. The jury is still out, but it looks like I was wrong. If the prospect of that doesn’t make the hair on your arms stand up a little bit, I wonder why you are reading a site dedicated to saving country music, after all?
March 26, 2015 @ 7:26 am
I think Sturgill’s probably doing pretty well for himself right now (as is Isbell) selling out smaller theaters while staying independent and recording and playing what he wants.
I really like to compare music “business models” to the comedy scene, which has done a much better job of figuring these things out even as the comedy club boom and the super-big network sitcom went away.
The model there is Louis CK who controls his business(es) himself and has leveraged that into huge success vs. a big “star” like Kevin Hart or Will Ferrell who has to rely on Hollywood and eventually sees their talent sold-out to mainstream whims.
There’s got to be — and in fact there is — a different model for musicians then getting on the radio and on a big label, etc. etc.
March 26, 2015 @ 9:48 am
It’s not necessarily either/or. At least, I’d like to think that the in-between land that has allowed folks like John Prine and Billy Joe Shaver to sustain long careers without becoming superstars still exists.
March 26, 2015 @ 9:59 am
“It”™s not necessarily either/or. At least, I”™d like to think that the in-between land that has allowed folks like John Prine and Billy Joe Shaver to sustain long careers without becoming superstars still exist”
That is true. But do you think John Prine or Billy Joe Shaver would pass up a chance to have a couple of platinum records?
Being able to eeek out an existence is not an issue for talented musicians. But having a chance at wealth, while not compromising one’s art, is almost unheard of these days. I’m not saying it’s a necessity, and probably John Prine is Sturgill’s most likely upside, but it would be undeniably cool if he exploded and became a giant star, without recording a duet with the Florida Georgia Line or Drake or whatever.
March 26, 2015 @ 9:06 am
My point above is that when it comes to songwriters , Jake Owen and Keith Urban would not be my go-to sources knowing what THEY record . I’m one of the folks that doesn’t get Sturgill so this makes the Keith T-shirt promotion even more baffling . – a writer I don’t think is very good supporting a writer I don’t quite get . Yes ..it has to help Sturgill’s career …so good on Sturgill, I guess , for securing some serious product placement here.
March 26, 2015 @ 10:29 am
Understand what you’re saying, but remember the audience. Do you really think the average viewer of Idol has a clue about the songwriters you mentioned? Granted, they’re all brilliant, but that’s not the point. For the core audience of Idol, Urban, and to a lesser degree, Owens, carries credibility. Sad, but nonetheless true.
March 26, 2015 @ 12:03 pm
There is no way in Hell that Urban could have walked out and said, “Hey, before we start the show, I want to play you a song by this cat I know about that many may not know about” and stalled the show while some awesome SS played for the millions watching. But, by wearing that shirt on the set for two hours, it surely was the next best thing. I wear band shirts all of the time and have people that are not familiar ask me about them. Perfect marketing of an artist by another. And yes you can enjoy those that you mentioned just as I will but for those that are not hip to those artist, they have to find out about them in some form or fashion to begin with. This is why artist sell merch to begin with, so they can get their name in front of faces.
March 26, 2015 @ 7:42 pm
I like your music, man. Saw Corb twice here and even had a few beers with him. Most down to earth guy ever, you would never know he’s a megastar up in Canada by the way he acts. Pure class.
March 30, 2015 @ 3:01 pm
I agree with Eric. Fostering some gratitude for what Keith is doing means artists like Sturgill might actually be able to have a profitable career. I hate that so many of the artists I love struggle financially and live on the bones of their arse. I wish them all huge commercial success and the riches that come with it. They deserve it and being poor sucks.
March 26, 2015 @ 1:11 am
Keith Urban wears shirts like this because he wants people to know he loves traditional country music and artists who still make music that sounds traditional. There’s nothing wrong with that, but that just means he knows better than to sing shitty songs about falling in love in a cop car, but still does it. In my eyes that’s the most disrespectful thing you can do to country music. Keith urban could wear a Waylon Jennings shirt and I’d still think he’s a pussy of a country artist.
March 26, 2015 @ 7:58 am
Dale? Dale Gribble? How have you, Hank, Bill and Boomhauer been since your show went off the air? It’s a shame that you haven’t been able to enjoy any authentic country music in the meantime.
March 26, 2015 @ 3:30 am
I went to see Don Williams several years ago at a one-off show in Nashville, for WSM if I remember right. Anyway, the ticket said special guest as opener. They kept it all secret and low-key and what-not. It was Keith Urban back in his hit after hit era. He came out and talked at length about Don Williams and how he would do anything the Don asked cause he was such a fan. Then proceeded to play a low-key acoustic set. He gained music fan cred with me then. His hipster dress-up is a bit much for me, but he seemed quite genuine. Maybe instead of hatin’, I should send him a Sweet GA Brown t-shirt…
March 26, 2015 @ 3:54 pm
Yeah, Keith seems to be a big Don Williams fan.
July 7, 2018 @ 8:01 pm
Yes, Keith’s dad had every Don Williams album so he grew up on the music. Don even did a song/video with Keith, and participated in one of Keith and Vince Gill’s All For The Hall shows before he passed.
March 26, 2015 @ 5:16 am
I’d like to see Keith put his words into action and record an “Up on the Ridge” or something that truly reflects what he claims are his influences.
I mean, he’s not some interchangeable Bro-Country youngster on the verge of being back working at the Piggly Wiggly next week. He and his wife have plenty of money to live on and he’s a big concert draw, so why kowtow to Music Row all the time?
March 26, 2015 @ 9:10 am
GREAT point Brett…one I’ve pondered many- a- time about so many of the super successful mainstream stars. Even big time wealthy Hollywood stars go and do a low-paying indie film once in a while cuz they love the subject matter , the character , the chance to grow etc..
March 26, 2015 @ 9:15 am
In that regard, actors tend to be more true to their art than musicians. Of course there are exceptions, but most of the really great actors chose the part over the money, at least after they are established.
March 26, 2015 @ 9:48 am
Especially guys like Liam Neisom and Samuel L. Jackson, Very Selective……AND STUFF
March 26, 2015 @ 8:28 pm
You wouldn’t see an actor like Leo DiCaprio in garbage like Blood Diamond, that’s for sure!
March 26, 2015 @ 10:12 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Keith Urban or some other big star cut a Sturgill song soon. Hell, Darius Rucker cut a Old Crow/Dylan song, and Zac Brown has a Jason Isbell song on his new record. I would expect this to happen soon.
March 28, 2015 @ 10:45 am
Keith is talented enough to come up with a deep honky tonk sound himself if he wanted too. He seems like a nice guy and sincere. I just wish there was a different radio stations in the early 2Ks that had just contemporary country or pop country songs on it. That way, the real country sound could have stayed on country radio. I guess, hell I dont know.
March 26, 2015 @ 5:28 am
Business side question:
Assuming Keith isn’t on the Atlantic label, does he get grief for promoting a competing label artist?
Thx.
March 26, 2015 @ 10:16 am
Atlantic is part of Warner Bros., and Capitol is part of Universal. So no, they’re not on the same record label or parent company. But I’m not sure how much these stipulations exist, especially for a seasoned artist like Urban. As strict as major labels are, this isn’t the NFL where everything someone wears has to be approved.
March 26, 2015 @ 5:33 am
Won’t be long before the hipsters turn on Simpson. “I loved him when nobody else knew who he was”. I can see it coming…
March 26, 2015 @ 8:00 am
Happy Halloween: https://savingcountrymusic.com/dismissive-roots-hipster-now-thinks-sturgill-simpson-sucks
March 26, 2015 @ 10:17 am
Well, guess I forgot about that fake news story. Never dreamed it would become reality, but I feel it will. About the time of Sturgill’s major label release, or just after. “He never would have cut that song before he was signed”.
March 26, 2015 @ 10:21 am
It won’t be long before they are clamoring for duets with him.
March 26, 2015 @ 10:38 am
Or to open for him!
March 26, 2015 @ 5:35 am
Keith Urban is a true arist. Might not always like his art, but certainly not a poser. He is also has a great taste for it. Two examples would be Nicole Kidman and Radney Foster sings!
March 26, 2015 @ 5:44 am
Where is all of this Keith Urban love coming from? I’ve never heard anything from him that would make me want to buy an album or go to one of his concerts. I would rather drive in silence than listen to one of his Rascal Flatts-esque tunes. Soft, weak, incredibly boring crap. Like puppy shit on the sidewalk on a hot summer day.
March 26, 2015 @ 5:52 am
Im not a fan either. But wether he’s wanting to collaborate with Sturgill or cover a song of his, or maybe just trully a fan. IDK but I fail to see how this is Bad for SCM or The Sturge
March 26, 2015 @ 8:01 am
I’ve been meaning to ask: is this Ronnie Dunn? Maybe I’m crazy, but since we know that Ronnie is at least aware of SCM and typically endorses posts with an “RD” signature, I’m intrigued.
March 26, 2015 @ 8:54 am
Yes. Kat Von D just got finished touching up my “Cowboy” forearm tat and I spent six hours in the stylists chair getting my highlights and lowlights touched up. The good news for you is that Kix Brooks is taking time away from his winery to join me in the studio for a B&D reunion album. We brought in DJ Tiesto, Russel Simmons, and Rick Rubin to produce. The collaboration should be awesome. Mixmaster Mike is scratching on this album, and apart from a kazoo, there are no actual instruments. You should see the video we’re working on. I really flip my hair around a lot, and I name drop all of your favorite bro-country stars of yesteryear….
March 26, 2015 @ 9:33 am
Can’t blame a guy for wondering… good luck with those highlights. I hear they have the ability to take 40 years off of your age (it’s a wonder that all of the teenagers don’t look outright like children).
March 26, 2015 @ 9:37 am
Acca, most people think its the highlights, but its actually the lowlights that really bring out the eyes. A good facial peel, some lip injections, and a bikini wax always makes me feel like a new man….
March 26, 2015 @ 6:02 am
Keith Urban is just trying to align himself with the cool guy of the moment. Keith knows exactly what he is and what he is doing… a whore making money. His music is bad, his lyrics are fluffy but he can play a lot of notes on guitar fast(which some people relate to as good musicianship) and he’s cute so girls like him. Keith Urban is like those hollow chocolate bunnies they sell at Easter. He’s had a few good songs in his career but they were written by someone else. If he and Jake Owen are so into real music but can’t do what they want, why don’t they record some music under assumed names and do something that they think is really good. It’s all fucking horse shit. No matter what they say, they’re still helping to ruin a genre of music.
March 26, 2015 @ 9:01 am
I think Keith Urban is a solid singer and guitar player (with a unique voice ) -see the Marty Robbins tribute below . I just don’t think he’s a great songwriter .
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=keith+urban+sings+marty+robbins&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=2ACB87CDAB914E1867002ACB87CDAB914E186700
March 26, 2015 @ 3:32 pm
Wow Albert. I think this is the first time you’ve ever been seriously wrong about something on here. I even clicked on the link out of curiousity, and it turns out that Urban sucks as bad at singing Country as he does Pop.
March 27, 2015 @ 2:41 pm
So here’s where I’m coming from Clint . If you are ( or were ever ) a singer you will get what I’m about to say . I’ve being singing ( or trying my best to ) for my supper for about 50 years. They keep paying me so I’m gonna assume I’m not bad and sorta know where-of I speak when it comes to vocalists.
The songs Keith is singing in that Marty Robbins clip are NOT today’s pop/rock melody-shy songs which don’t demand a lot from a vocalist .( I mean …hell ….look at who they are calling ‘singers’ today . Aldean , Swindell , Taylor S. )…These are very specific , and in some cases , very difficult melodies to execute smoothly . A good voice can hide the difficulty factor . When Sheepdog Keith took on these tunes ( and PLAYED some lovely guitar parts on them BTW ) he demonstrated to myself and lot of people that he had the chops and skills to deliver the goods in a more demonstrative way than he ever does ( or has to ) on his own pop writes . There is, possibly , a case to be made for the way he HAS handled some more difficult stuff ( Stupid Boy by Sarah Buxton and the Luxury of Knowing by Loreena McKenna come to mind ) . Emotionally , those couple of outside writes have to be handled with care for them to work .
That’s all I got . Doesn’t mean folks have to like Keith’s vocals or agree or disagree with me . Its just my take on that particular performance by the guy . I’d love to hear an all- acoustic record by him …not bluegrass ….just less reliant on arrangements and volume and effects and more focused on lyric and melodies ….preferably by outside writers.
March 26, 2015 @ 10:36 am
My biggest worry will be when I wear my Sturgill Simpson shirt, and have people ask me if I’m trying to cop Keith Urban’s look on American Idol
March 26, 2015 @ 3:18 pm
Oh good. I have another reason to hate Keith Urban; not that I needed one.
March 26, 2015 @ 3:59 pm
In my opinion, the correct response to this article is to say, “Cool… a talented independent country artist is getting a shout-out on mainstream television, hopefully turning more people on to his music. Hell yeah.”
I don’t really understand the cynical murmurings.
March 27, 2015 @ 8:24 pm
There is cynical nonsense about it because that’s what message boards have become unfortunately. I’m sure Sturgill enjoys any attention he might garner from this and is thankful for it.
March 26, 2015 @ 4:30 pm
Keith Urban wants to make Sturgill Simpson famous.
March 27, 2015 @ 7:27 am
A week or so ago, he wore a shirt with Johnny Cash on it. Not sure if this is relevant to the conversation but I’ll just throw that in there.
March 27, 2015 @ 10:55 am
What toolbag doesn’t wear a Johnny Cash shirt?
March 27, 2015 @ 7:17 pm
This such a crazy coincidence”¦.Sturgill has toilet paper at his home and it has Keith’s name and face on it. I had to take a shit while I was there, otherwise, I would have never noticed. OMG, this is crazy.
March 28, 2015 @ 3:52 pm
Now I cant wear a Sturgill shirt. thanks a lot,