Sturgill Simpson’s Out to Prove He Can Be The Biggest Artist In Country Without the Industry
“In 10 years I’ll be the biggest country star on this planet, I guaran-fuckin’-tee it. And there’s nothing they can do to stop that.” Sturgill says in a new interview.
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Maybe it is pure coincidence that a few months after Sturgill Simpson twisted off on the country music industry’s “formulaic cannon fodder bullshit,” and specifically “all the high school pageantry, meat parade award show bullshit,” that the CMA’s did something completely unprecedented, and announced that over half of their performers for their 50th annual presentation would be traditional country artists. And we’re not just talking about the usual suspects of token traditional performers like George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Charlie Daniels. We’re talking about performers that some country music fans are surprised to hear they’re still alive, folks like Roy Clark and Charley Pride.
Or maybe it isn’t coincidence at all.
On Wednesday (10/27), Saving Country Music posted an editorial about how it is one of the best times to be a true country music fan in how it seems like every sector of the genre—from the underground to the mainstream—appears to be breaking out in a new spring and the music is opening up like never before. This was posted before the CMA’s announced that afternoon that Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs, Roy Clark, Dwight Yoakam, and Clint Black would be added to the 2016 CMA Awards lineup.
We’re living in historic times in country music, when the resurgence of more traditional, and more substantive music is taking hold like never before, and receiving more recognition for the industry than any period in recent memory. And it’s hard to not look at Sturgill Simpson and give him at least part of the blame.
Chris Stapleton was the artist the industry latched on to, but it was Sturgill Simpson’s Metamodern Sounds in Country Music that inspired Chris Stapleton to record his debut record Traveller with producer Dave Cobb, and do it organically and live just like Sturgill did. That record is now the reigning CMA Album of the Year, and going into the CMA Awards next week, Stapleton has to be considered a favorite for the night’s top award, Entertainer of the Year.
It’s not necessarily that Sturgill Simpson’s pointed words scared the CMA’s straight as much as maybe the have finally realized that the majority of people who consider themselves “country” fans can’t relate to 90% of the music and artists presented on these award shows. And to return to their past relevancy, the CMA’s and others are going to have to reach out.
But Sturgill Simpson is not satisfied.
“It took me this long to get right here,” Sturgill says in a recent interview with Adam Gold of The Nashville Scene. “[But] this isn’t all I want, this isn’t all I know my music [can do]. I know that there are a whole lot of people out there that aren’t aware, that will connect with [my] music. … The industry’s not gonna give it to me. And at this point I don’t want them to. I’m going to prove to them I can do it. In 10 years I’ll be the biggest country star on this planet, I guaran-fuckin’-tee it. And there’s nothing they can do to stop that.”
“I’ve got the Rocky heart, man,” Sturgill continues. “I’m gonna do it now out of spite. And I’m gonna go play rock ’n’ roll, too, and take all those fuckin’ people, and I’m going to build a little army. And you’ll come to my show, and it’ll be four hours long, and it’ll be an American music show. It won’t be a country music show, Americana music show or a soul music show. We’re gonna hit it all, we’re gonna touch it all, because I love it all. And I want to love everybody.”
On Sturgill Simpson’s first solo record, High Top Mountain, there was a song called “Life Ain’t Fair” that specifically called out the CMA for ignoring artists such as himself. Ironically, Sturgill actually was considered by the CMA Awards this year on one of their early ballots, though he didn’t make the final cut of nominees. Sturgill has stricken “Life Ain’t Fair” from his repertoire lately, to the chagrin of some fans.
“It’s all about me struggling to get my foot in the door and figuring out how to land,” Sturgill tells The Nashville Scene. “I’ve landed now. I can’t really sit there and complain anymore. Life’s pretty good. … But you still won’t see me on the fuckin’ CMAs.”
As for leaving Nashville, which Sturgill mentioned at the end of his August rant in defense of Merle Haggard and against the country industry, “I think I’m gonna make this town a little special project,” he says now. “I woke up the other day and I was like, ‘Fuck that, I’m not going anywhere.’ ”
October 27, 2016 @ 8:53 am
That’s nice to hear. I remember him saying a couple of years ago that he couldn’t see himself cutting more than 5 albums and then he’d be done with making music. Hopefully this means he has changed his mind and we can look forward to 10 more years.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:28 am
Never believed that quote. Sturgill’s too hungry.
October 27, 2016 @ 1:03 pm
He is obviously very torn between going home and being a family man and making music (see Charlie rose interview). I Think he truly regrets being on the road while his son is growing up and in moments he probably feels like he doesn’t want to do it anymore. But at the same time. I very selfishly want him to keep making music, because it’s so damn good. And I think he does too. It’s The same thing we all struggle with, balancing work and family, but he has to do it in front of everybody.
October 27, 2016 @ 2:15 pm
There’s this line from Welcome to Earth (Pollywog):
When I get home it breaks my heart
Seeing how much you’ve grown all on your own
I saw him at the Birchmere (cap – 500) in 8/14. It was my second time seeing. The merch table line was probably about 50-75 people long by the time I got on it. I picked up a second copy of MMSICM figuring I’d get it signed and maybe give my other one away. Good excuse to talk to Sturgill and the band, too. I had a nice merch table chat with Sturgill, and congratulated him on the birth of his son, who was maybe 6 months old at the time. As I was moving on, I said something that other parents had said to me when my kids were babies and found to be true: “It will go fast”. I sort of went to move on, but then he started talking to me about how he is already experiencing that he comes home after going on tour and sees how much his son has progressed in his absence. I think about that conversation every time I hear that line in the song.
October 28, 2016 @ 9:43 pm
He said that on the Joe Rogan experience show he was on a while back. It was weird hearing him talk about limiting himself to 5 or 6 albums.
October 27, 2016 @ 8:54 am
Sturgill Simpson is good at music, he should make the music he wants to make. But yawn I’m getting a little tired of the diatribes. Pop, Hip Hop, R&B, etc are also music and American, lots of people like them. I just don’t want a mono genre.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:41 am
Agreed….I don’t know what to make of Sturgill tho, I liked his country style. The Rolling Stone interview stated how much he loves hip-hop and r& b and wanted to live in Frank Oceans house and that he was gonna make a dance record…etc.. and yes I’ve mentioned that on this forum more than once, however…now he’s claiming he’s gonna make country music again…and more rock n roll…so…Apparently he’s just all over the map and is restless and likes to run his mouth…so wait and see. Whatever dude.
October 27, 2016 @ 8:54 am
Good to see he’s keeping his ego in check!
October 27, 2016 @ 8:59 am
Yeah but he needs to put out COUNTRY albums. His last effort was a great piece of music, but country? I don’t think so.
I really want to cheer for him, but I can’t if he releases albums like ASGTE. Great music, but not for my personal taste.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:00 am
Arrogance. I like it.
Some may see Sturgill as an arrogant prick for some of these comments, but I’ve always believed that the first step to making a change is having the sheer audacity to think you can do so.
I hope Sturgill reaches his goal.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:10 am
“first step to making a change is having the sheer audacity to think you can do so.”
I like that, I think there’s a lot of truth to that, especially considering what he’s up against. Nobody else would think they would have a chance, but he has convinced himself that he can do it, and that’s 50% of the battle right there. I don’t particularly care for his music outside of an odd track or two off of High Top Mountain, but I love his attitude.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:32 am
I would strongly encourage folks to go and read the entire interview. It’s easy to pull the “In 10 years I’ll be the biggest country star on this planet” quote out-of-context and make Sturgill look like an egomaniac, but taken in the entirety of the interview it makes a lot more sense. I tried to do the best to present it in context without re-posting the entire interview, since it’s not my interview to post.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:00 am
PArdon my French but Fucking A! Go Sturgill!
October 27, 2016 @ 9:05 am
If Sturgill wants to prove that he his the biggest Country Music Artist I am all for it. That means some really great Country Music is on its way.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:16 am
Agreed, if his inspiration for pumping out some awesome country music and being the biggest country star around is feeling that people don’t think he can do it, I’ll volunteer to send him a letter 4 times a week telling him he can’t do it. Reverse psychology. I’ll do my part
October 27, 2016 @ 9:18 am
Go for it, Sturgill.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:18 am
The atmosphere recently on SCM has been overwhelmingly positive and has had such great proof of what traditional country is doing in the industry – it’s pretty special. There’s still work to be done, but country music is truly looking up and that’s a great thing
October 27, 2016 @ 12:00 pm
Amen to your words. They are as inspiring as Triggers.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:19 am
Sturgill just comes off as ridiculously arrogant in this comment- he’s almost no worse than Eric Church when he’s all boisterous about being the “Chief” or whatever the hell he likes to be boisterous about.
-It’s just whatever, man. At this point I’m sick of hearing all of this complaining- I really couldn’t care less.
Show some humility, man
October 27, 2016 @ 10:53 am
At no point in the history of art and its many mediums has an individual created change through humility.
Also, I think he states facts more than he actually runs his mouth. The idea that he’s arrogant stems from overly sensitive crybabies, like many of our problems. He’s not necessarily arrogant just because he knows he’s good.
October 27, 2016 @ 11:12 am
Oh so now with the personal attacks??- Why does every argument need to be turned into a fight?
I’m no oversensitive crybaby, but I do find it it that in light of the sea of change we are seeing in country music, the negativity coming in is ridiculous.
Look if Sturgill doesn’t like Nashville, fine, and if he’s proposing himself to be the biggest thing in country without them then that’s fine too, but please, don’t act all condescending thinking you are the greatest thing since slice of bread-
October 27, 2016 @ 11:23 am
I read it as a positive not a negative but I hate what Nashville has done. Essentially…I’m going to fuck up all that nasty shit (tired of y’all playing dress up and trying to sing them ol country songs). Arrogant yes. Negative, No!
October 27, 2016 @ 12:24 pm
I think Sturgill has been doing a good job balancing the positive and the negative in his recent comments. On Charlie Rose recently he talked about how he thought the tide was turning.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/sturgill-simpson-makes-the-case-for-the-turning-tide-in-country-on-charlie-rose/
But like always happens, folks focus mostly on the negative. That’s what stirs the pot.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:29 am
Or maybe the credit should go to Shooter Jennings for introducing Dave Cobb to Sturgill.…
October 27, 2016 @ 10:02 am
I think Shooter did play a small role in this. Obviously Dave Cobb helped with his production work. Thirty Tigers gave Sturgill the freedom he needed to do what he wanted to do. Hank3 played a role by helping to form a country music underground that Sturgill Simpson is very much a product of. A lot of folks helped build a foundation for Sturgill to ascend from. I could toot my own horn because I was the first guy to cover Sturgill, and was on record trying to shove him down people’s throats for three years before anyone began paying attention.
But ultimately, I think the lion’s share of the credit rests with Sturgill himself. He is a generational talent, and despite it taking so long, that talent was never going to be held under, even if certain pieces didn’t fall into place like they did. No offense to anyone, but even without Dave Cobb, or his manger, or his booking agent, or my stupid little coverage of him, I think we would still be talking about Sturgill Simpson as a catalyst for seismic change in country music. He wasn’t going to be denied forever. He’s a force of nature. It’s just some people were smart enough to see that before others, and then were willing to work really hard for him out of belief.
October 27, 2016 @ 10:20 am
I don’t know, man. Without your “stupid little coverage of him” I never would’ve driven an hour and a half to see him for the first time (with a crowd of maybe about 20 other people).
October 27, 2016 @ 12:04 pm
I agree. He has fire & a lot of it. You can’t contain fire.
October 27, 2016 @ 4:44 pm
I’ve seen a lot of underground acts that you’ve reviewed or covered in a lot of different dive bars in North Mississippi and Memphis and at all the meet and greets after the shows I’ll mention how I’ve found about them threw you. Every single one of them speak nothing but good about you and how you’ve help get there name out there. That’s Sturgill, Whitey, and whatever poor soul is touring down here. If country music is ever saved,or whatever anybody wants to call it, you have been a huge factor in it. I’m sure that’s something me, the artists, and everybody else who’s found a new band or artist that they’ve never heard of can agree on.
October 28, 2016 @ 4:03 am
I think that’s really well said.
People tend gravitate to the negative. The last thing I want is another widget in the cattle line. You are correct, Sturgill is a generational talent, and to me a certain fire comes along with such a talent. I mean shit look no further than many of his stated influences. I don’t care if he’s flopped around ranting what type of music he wants to make. To me that’s the beauty of the guy. It’s why I listen; why I’m intrigued. I don’t want another black heifer. I want a crazy fucking, kick ass purple and yellow holstein we haven’t seen before. I say embrace it, enjoy it, let him entertain you.
Can’t wait for the next chapter from this guy.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:32 am
Yes! I fucking love a pissed off Sturgill! Makes me even more excited to (finally) see him in KC next week. Fuck the whole lot of them, give em hell, Sturg!!
October 27, 2016 @ 10:32 am
Oh Shit! I just remembered that his concert in Des Moines is next week. Well, that snuck on my fast.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:35 am
Sturgill’s latest album was not country at all. Although I liked his version of ‘In Bloom.’ After seeing artists like Sturgill himself, Jason Isbell, Margo Price, and Amanda Shires, mainstream success is not the answer to country music. At his shows, he sings real country. I recently took up a bet to see Florida Georgia Line when they were in Sacramento metro, and I walked out of that concert after it was over (I gave them a chance) saying to myself
“that wasn’t really that country–aside from ‘Dirt’ and a partial cover performance of ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’, from which the latter seemed like a coincidence that they performed it rather than singing it because it was an actual country tune.”
Long live country music, but don’t listen to what the big name labels market as “country”
October 27, 2016 @ 9:51 am
Just saw his most recent Boston show a couple weeks back and it was the third time I have seen him in the the last 4 years. I remember when Sailors Guide came out earlier this year and all the people were pissing and moaning about how it wasn’t like Metamodern and High Top. To those people you need to go see him perform Sailor’s Guide live. It blows his past concerts I have seen into the weeds. The band he has behind him now is so friggin powerful. And he was up there having a friggin blast that night on stage, which on the past two albums (shows) I have been to, he didn’t seem to be having as much fun. I am glad he is here to stay and is going to keep putting things out. I don’t care when genre the music he puts out sounds like. He still plays the old stuff at the shows also. If you haven’t seen him play this album live, you are missing out.
October 27, 2016 @ 4:13 pm
I am right along with you, seen him several times and then Boston was just over the top.
You could just feel it and see it on peoples faces.
October 27, 2016 @ 10:22 am
Seeing Sturgill tomorrow night at the Ryman and am pumped up about. Looks like he is gonna be bringing that fire this weekend at his sold out Nashville shows.
October 27, 2016 @ 11:33 am
I have not looked at prices around the country but locally, for the November 13 show…remaining Sturgill tickets in Redding, CA range from $69-$328 a ticket and Chris Stapleton is playing southern Oregon next July along with Keith Urban and Luke Bryan for $155. That is a great deal of cheddar for many folks and I personally have no desire to hear Urban or Bryan. Fans of all 3 are happy I am sure.
October 27, 2016 @ 4:14 pm
That has to be the secondary market. I saw him in boston for $35
October 27, 2016 @ 6:42 pm
Definitely secondary market. Seeing him in KC next week for $100+ a ticket. They originally sold for about $35…till they sold out almost immediately
October 27, 2016 @ 8:39 pm
Yeah, I was shocked at how quickly the tickets on the secondary market climbed here in KC. I lucked out today and a former co-worker from down in Joplin hit me up with two extra tickets at face value. Can’t wait for Tuesday.
October 27, 2016 @ 11:57 am
I’m volunteering for his army.
October 27, 2016 @ 12:32 pm
This is all good, and I like it. But it reminds me too much of Jimmy Martin. This mindset didn’t work out too well for him.
October 28, 2016 @ 4:10 am
Worked pretty well for Johnny cash. No offense to the king of bluegrass but I think sturgill is on another level. Long way to go, just my opinion.
October 27, 2016 @ 12:57 pm
Guess he really does care about the awards. Like his music but his chip on shoulder shtick is growing tiresome.
October 27, 2016 @ 1:41 pm
A quote from an recent interview with Juan Baez :
“…In modern music, there’s not a whole lot I connect with, but then someone like Sturgill Simpson will knock me out. But a lot of the tween music is unbearable. My granddaughter is 13, and (sighs).”
October 27, 2016 @ 2:26 pm
He’s a complicated man, but no one understands him but his woman.
Sorry. Had to.
October 27, 2016 @ 3:06 pm
I am a big fan of Sturgill. i also like most of you here, love the legends: Waylon, Willie, Merle, Kris, Johnny, etc. Sturgills 3 albums have each been spectacular in their own right. I enjoy him making the music HE wants to make and speaking his mind. But i gotta say, hes kinda turned into a little of soap opera here lately. i truly only have one gripe with the guy, and thats when he takes things too far. I admire him stcking up for Merle, i thought that was a cool thing to do granted their history together but didnt really appreciate him ripping the whole city of Nashville and the establishment a new butthole, which is basically what he did. in some ways, i wish hed behave more like countrys legends and let his music and art do the talking. Ill always be a fan of the guy but he should spend a little of these ten “guaranteed” years and lighten up a little, damn!
October 27, 2016 @ 3:58 pm
”The industry’s not gonna give it to me. And at this point I don’t want them to. I’m going to prove to them I can do it. In 10 years I’ll be the biggest country star on this planet, I guaran-fuckin’-tee it. And there’s nothing they can do to stop that.”
“I’ve got the Rocky heart, man,” Sturgill continues. “I’m gonna do it now out of spite. And I’m gonna go play rock ’n’ roll, too, and take all those fuckin’ people, and I’m going to build a little army. And you’ll come to my show, and it’ll be four hours long, and it’ll be an American music show. It won’t be a country music show, Americana music show or a soul music show. We’re gonna hit it all, we’re gonna touch it all, because I love it all. And I want to love everybody.”
This attitude and over-the top- spiteful bravado is the complete antithesis of what REAL country fans AND the good guys in the industry want from their favourite artists .Did you ever hear George Strait , Alan Jackson , Vince Gill, Reba , Don Williams , or countless other icons spout off like they were the second coming ? Man ….just do the music YOU want to do ….do it honestly ….do it with integrity and stop with the name-calling , finger-pointing , whining and self-righteous pontificating . Its just music . You aren’t running for King of The Music World , for God’s sake . You’re successful if you can do the music you believe in and pay the bills…… and you’re doing that so what’s your problem ?
October 27, 2016 @ 6:46 pm
Y’all wanted a country music savior to fuck some shit up, but get pissed off when he does country music savior things and fucks some shit up…make up your mind.
October 27, 2016 @ 9:35 pm
LOL! That made me snort laugh.
October 28, 2016 @ 6:56 am
”Y’all wanted a country music savior to fuck some shit up, but get pissed off when he does country music savior things and fucks some shit up…make up your mind”
Pretty sure you have that backwards Jim Bob. It was the ‘ bros’ and money hungry labels that ‘ fucked some shit up ‘ . What REAL country fans want is someone who brings BACK the traditions of the genre. S.S. is successful selling HIS music but he seems to have gotten a big head while doing so and actually has not furthered the mission . I mean ….congrats SS ….but I see more ” King ” Garth ” in him than ” King George in terms of his “ME” approach to what he’s doing .
October 28, 2016 @ 4:13 am
Oh yea I fucking love it. I don’t want another version of what I’ve already seen. I like watching history being made.
People crack me up. You get something different, many times what you’ve asked for, then you complain it’s outside of the box.
October 27, 2016 @ 5:50 pm
Why is he so foul-mouthed? He sounds like a spoiled child.
October 27, 2016 @ 6:53 pm
Because he can goddamn well do whatever the fuck he fucking pleases. Sturgill fucking Simpson gives no fuckitty fucking fucks.
…and also, read the full interview. It’s literally fucking explained in plain fucking English.
October 28, 2016 @ 5:57 pm
LOL
But fucking actually, he does give a fuckitty fucking fuck whenever he’s on the fucking stage. Did you even fucking read the fucking article, you fuckitty fucking fucker fuck, or just the fucking parts that made you go aw fuck yeah you go Sturgill Fucking Simpson! Sturgill never cusses on stage cause that shit has no fucking place on the fucking stage, just like Merle Motherfucking Haggard fucking said. For fuck’s sake!
October 29, 2016 @ 8:30 am
Why you motherfucking motherfucker. How motherfucking dare you use that kind of language on a fucking country music site.
Actually, I had to read the article a second time, as I wasn’t fazed by the cursing the first time I read it. Maybe I’m used to that king of language for him or it’s because of where I hail from (NYC metro area) or my ethnic background (first generation Irish American).
Thanks for the laugh.
October 27, 2016 @ 5:59 pm
Gottdamn savior I tell yee!
October 27, 2016 @ 6:47 pm
^^ this guy gets it!
October 27, 2016 @ 6:09 pm
Finally got a chance to read the article in its entirety. Nothing really out of character for Sturgill. Effecting change requires a mix – firebrands, statesmen, foot soldiers – and I like that he’s putting himself out there right now. Looking forward to hearing more country music from him.
October 27, 2016 @ 6:23 pm
Before he can claim to be the biggest country star in America he’s actually got to put out another country album. Last album was not country, and wasn’t even close.
October 31, 2016 @ 9:39 am
I’m not sure the biggest stars in country right now have released any country music.
October 27, 2016 @ 6:54 pm
Sturgill is one of my favorites, but if this guy makes an album like Frank Ocean’s, I’m done.
I hear some many people love Blonde, but that album made me cringe. Just my two cents.
October 27, 2016 @ 7:31 pm
I hope the “Nashville rebel” angle the media is enjoying putting out there is also ultimately balanced with recognition of Sturgill’s musical talents, such as his great guitar playing and vocals. I wish he wouldn’t hide away the Sunday Valley material, their trio format allowed space for his guitar and vocal talents to shine. Both he and Isbell are really exceptional guitarists, in any music genre, and I feel like that gets overlooked sometimes in their media coverage. Similar anology would be Prince’s guitar skills frequently being overlooked in favor of his lyrics and image.
October 28, 2016 @ 4:31 am
I agree. The Sunday Valley material is excellent. The Sunday Valley album, “To The Wind and on to Heaven” is available in its entirety on You Tube.
October 27, 2016 @ 7:41 pm
“I’m gonna do it now out of spite. And I’m gonna go play rock ’n’ roll, too, and take all those fuckin’ people, and I’m going to build a little army. And you’ll come to my show, and it’ll be four hours long, and it’ll be an American music show. It won’t be a country music show, Americana music show or a soul music show. We’re gonna hit it all, we’re gonna touch it all, because I love it all. And I want to love everybody.”
Get it done Hoss!
October 28, 2016 @ 6:44 am
To me Sturgill is on a different level.. He might not have the recognition yet, but his attitude really is no different than some of the greatest Artists of all time. He has become genre breaking. Bob Marley, Miles Davis, James Brown, Jeff Beck, Dylan, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Elvis, the Beatles, Johnny Cash, Janis, Madonna, Areatha, Beyoncé, Nirvana, the Ramones, Sex Pistols, Tina Turner…
Yeah, they were all humble and kind with their aspirations and their words.
Bullshit they wanted to break the mold and made that known.
Sturgill is breaking the mold..
I realize this is a lil over the top thinking and I don’t want to get to carried away with anointing people as this or that, but Trigger is right.. This is a generational talent.
I listen and agree with all opinions. Everyone has their thoughts about what is and what isn’t country.
Sailors Guide is an album that can’t be stereotyped it doesn’t securely fit anywhere..
But it is country…
I play in darts leagues twice a week.. I am in a lot of places with Jukeboxes and play my music..
When music from A Sailors Guide is on, it gets called country..
By the people who like it, or those fellas I constantly battle with cause they are telling me to stop playing that country crap. LOL
He is expanding what the genre is.
Music is all personal taste. I’m on board with whatever the hell Sturgill wants to do.
Others may not be..
I can appreciate talent and ability and someones accomplishments even if they are not necessarily my type of music.
So many people can’t..
Things change..
I embrace change.
I like new music.
October 28, 2016 @ 7:00 am
I have yet to hear ( discern ) a lyric from SS that substantiates the adoration for him found here. Could one of you fine folks suggest a SS song that best exemplifies his lyric-writing approach/talents ?
October 28, 2016 @ 8:46 am
Oops. I liked your comment by mistake and can’t unlike it.
I don’t know, Albert. This just seems like more rhetorical snark from someone who doesn’t miss a chance to say/imply that he doesn’t get all the fuss/hasn’t drank the kool aid with respect to Sturgill Simpson.
October 28, 2016 @ 3:37 pm
”.. hasn’t drank the kool aid… .”
……love it ..
October 29, 2016 @ 9:09 am
On second thought, I’ll respond to your question, Albert. I think Sturgill is a pretty good lyricist. Maybe better than some (e.g., Chris Stapleton) and not nearly as good as others (e.g., Jason Isbell). Sturgill has said that he’s not the most gifted lyricist and how he could never do what Isbell does. I think Sturgill’s greater strengths are as a musician, composer/arranger, bandleader and visionary.
As far as a sample lyric, I’ll go with the one I referenced up near the top of the section. Maybe not particularly poetic, but extremely effective. As a dad, I feel for him not being able to be around all the time when his boy is growing up, especially the baby months, where missing even a month is a lot. Also, makes me think of people who might even have it worse than Sturgill in that respect, like some deployed military parents.
You say Sturgill hasn’t “furthered the mission.” I don’t think I agree. For starters, Stapleton says that it hearing Sturgill’s “Metamodern Sounds…” album was what inspired him to hook up with Cobb and make Traveller, which has now sold 2 million copies. Also, I wonder if Sturgill’s rant a while back had any influence on the CMA with respect to the recent additions to the CMA Awards show. Maybe not.
October 30, 2016 @ 8:26 am
You make some good points , JW . Perhaps SS has played a bigger part in ‘ furthering the mission ‘ than I ‘d given him credit for in terms of opening the door a little wider for indies . I’m not entirely sure Stapleton needed that help with his track record as a performer and a writer …but I get your point .
I had a look at SS lyrics for half a dozen or so of his tunes. Personally , I find them more introspectively ‘poetic’ than universally relate-able , fresh or clever AND catchy as a country song and THAT’S the trick as a commercial songwriter , I believe. Writers with a solid grasp of the craft in all those respects are getting rarer and rarer in these times , it seems , and the folks that work at their craft have my utmost respect -THEY are the ones who , in my estimation , will save the genre by keeping those things alive….as artist/writers or as writers pitching to artists who understand that. . SS does not write terrible lyrics , by any means , but perhaps they are a bit TOO self -absorbed and , as I mentioned earlier ,and often hard to readily discern because of his delivery . Then again , that may be what his fans appreciate about him …and that’s great . At least SS fans seem to know what they are listening to and why . A lot of contemporary country radio fans , I don’t believe , do .