Sturgill Simpson

John Sturgill Simpson was born in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sturgill-simpson-mn0003098721/biography|title=Sturgill Simpson {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=March 3, 2017}} His father was a Kentucky State Police Trooper who formerly worked undercover. Due to his father's work, Simpson's family moved to Versailles, outside Lexington, where Simpson attended Woodford County High School.{{cite web|last1=Cooper|first1=Duncan|title=Another Country: A Freewheeling Hour with Sturgill Simpson|url=http://www.thefader.com/2014/07/15/another-country-interview-sturgill-simpson/|website=The Fader|date=July 15, 2014}} His mother's family were coal miners,{{cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Rachel|title='I Wanna Make Art': Sturgill Simpson's Twisting Path To Nashville|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/05/25/315292234/i-wanna-make-art-sturgill-simpsons-twisting-path-to-nashville|website=Weekend Edition Sunday|publisher=NPR|date=May 25, 2014}} and he is the first male on her side of the family to not work in a strip mine or deep mine.{{cite news|last1=Rose|first1=Charlie|title=Sturgill Simpson - Charlie Rose|url=https://charlierose.com/videos/29307|work=Charlie Rose|date=October 13, 2016}}

Simpson says of his educational career that he was "not a great student".{{cite magazine|last1=Ritz|first1=David|title=The Fighting Side of Sturgill Simpson|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/country/features/the-fighting-side-of-sturgill-simpson-w443513|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=May 2, 2018|date=October 6, 2016}} His parents divorced when he was in the seventh grade. He only "barely graduated" from Woodford High, enlisting in the United States Navy in his senior year. After three years in the Navy, where he worked in the Combat Information Center of a frigate, Simpson spent some time in Japan. He later lived in Everett and Seattle, Washington, where he waited tables at IHOP, before moving back home to Lexington, Kentucky.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503041607/http://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article44426604.html|archive-date=May 3, 2018|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2013/05/30/2658698/sturgill-simpson-took-a-long-road.html|title=Kentucky native Sturgill Simpson took long road, and railroad, to Nashville|last=Tunis|first=Walter|date=May 30, 2013|work=Lexington Herald-Leader}}{{cite news|last1=Maron|first1=Marc|title=Episode 706 - Sturgill Simpson / John C. Reilly|url=http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-706-sturgill-simpson-john-c-reilly|work=WTF with Marc Maron Podcast|date=May 12, 2016}}

Simpson formed the country rock band Sunday Valley in 2004, which played at the Pickathon festival in Portland, Oregon.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sturgill-simpson-mn0003098721/biography|title=Sturgill Simpson: Biography|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|website=AllMusic}} He later moved to Nashville, but says he "didn't have the foggiest notion of how to hustle my music ... [it] was a total bust."

Setting his musical ambitions aside, Simpson focused on building a career at a Salt Lake City railroad freight-shipping yard for Union Pacific Railroad, which he eventually ended up managing. He credits his wife and friends with changing what he characterized as a hobbyist focus on songwriting and playing to convincing him to get serious about music as a potential career. After playing local open mics and gigs, Simpson returned to Sunday Valley, touring and making an album with the band and producer Duane Lundy.{{Cite web |last=Powers |first=Brian |date=2017-07-22 |title=Duane Lundy's Crossfade Moment |url=https://undermain.art/performing-arts/duane-lundys-crossfade-moment/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=UnderMain |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Rodgers |first=D. Patrick |date=2011-12-13 |title=Sunday Valley, 'Goodbye' [Fresh Vid + Fresh Track] |url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/sunday-valley-goodbye-fresh-vid-fresh-track/article_4fb244b8-7e71-5eab-8a52-3629146ad0f6.html |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Nashville Scene |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=TwangNation.com |date=2011-03-12 |title=Music Review: Sunday Valley - To the Wind and On To Heaven [self-released] |url=https://www.nodepression.com/music-review-sunday-valley-to-the-wind-and-on-to-heaven-self-released/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=No Depression |language=en-US}} He and his wife moved to Nashville when the group disbanded in 2012.{{cite news|last1=Dougherty|first1=Steve|title=Sturgill Simpson Sings Country Metaphysics|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304101504579543640189785928|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=May 6, 2014}}

After going solo, Simpson released his debut album High Top Mountain in 2013, which he self-funded, self-released, and had cut in Nashville.{{cite journal|last1=Hughes|first1=Rob|title=Sturgill Simpson|journal=Uncut|date=March 2014|issue=202|page=83}}{{cite web|last1=Cooper|first1=Duncan|title=GEN F: Sturgill Simpson, the Cosmic Cowboy of the Digital Age Read|url=http://www.thefader.com/2014/05/12/gen-f-sturgill-simpson-interview/|website=The Fader|date=May 12, 2014}} The album was produced by Dave Cobb. Among the session musicians were Hargus "Pig" Robbins on piano and Robby Turner, a former guitarist for Waylon Jennings, on steel guitar. The record is named after a cemetery near Jackson where many of Simpson's family members are buried.{{cite web|last1=Inman|first1=Davis|title=Sturgill Simpson: Man Of The Hour|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2013/04/sturgill-simpson-man-of-the-hour/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106192932/http://www.americansongwriter.com/2013/04/sturgill-simpson-man-of-the-hour/|archive-date=November 6, 2018|website=American Songwriter|date=April 26, 2013}} Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic rated High Top Mountain 3{{frac|1|2}} stars out of 5, comparing its sound favorably to Waylon Jennings.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/high-top-mountain-mw0002529932|title=High Top Mountain|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|website=AllMusic}} The album's style has also been compared to that of Merle Haggard. Erik Ernst of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel also compared it to Jennings, saying that it had "rich vintage sounds, heartbreaking ballads, and juke-joint ramblers".{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/cd-reviews-jason-isbell-alison-moyet-walter-trout-sturgill-simpson-b9927487z1-211021241.html|title=CD reviews: Jason Isbell, Alison Moyet, Walter Trout, Sturgill Simpson|date=June 11, 2013|work=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel|last=Ernst|first=Erik}}

In 2014, Simpson released his second album, again produced by Dave Cobb, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, to positive reviews.{{cite web|last1=Deusner|first1=Stephen M.|title=Sturgill Simpson, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19386-sturgill-simpson-metamodern-sounds-in-country-music/|website=Pitchfork Media|date=May 16, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Caramanica|first1=Jon|title=A Country Lament Sinks Into Despair: Sturgill Simpson's 'Metamodern Sounds in Country Music'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/15/arts/music/sturgill-simpsons-metamodern-sounds-in-country-music.html|work=The New York Times|date=May 14, 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Keohane|first1=Joe|title=The Best, Darkest, Weirdest Country Record of the Year|url=http://www.esquire.com/blogs/culture/sturgill-simpson-life-of-sin|website=Esquire|date=May 1, 2014}}{{cite magazine|last1=Dauphin|first1=Chuck|title=Sturgill Simpson Shuns 'Tailgating and Spring Breaks' on New Album|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/6091967/sturgill-simpson-shuns-tailgating-and-spring-breaks-on-new-album|magazine=Billboard|date=May 16, 2014}} The lead single was "Living the Dream".{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106190534/http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2014/02/song-premiere-sturgill-simpson---living-the-dream.html|archive-date=November 6, 2018|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2014/02/song-premiere-sturgill-simpson---living-the-dream.html|title=Song Premiere: Sturgill Simpson – "Living The Dream"|last=Rowland|first=Sarah|date=February 20, 2014|work=Paste Magazine}} The album has been described as "flesh[ing] out a deep and unconventional relationship between traditionalism and new ways of thinking," and a departure from Simpson's more traditional hard country debut.{{cite web|last1=Powers|first1=Ann|title=God, Drugs And Lizard Aliens: Yep, It's Country Music|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2014/04/17/304075384/god-drugs-and-lizard-aliens-yep-its-country-music|publisher=NPR|date=April 17, 2014}} Simpson said that "recording and mixing was done in five and a half days for about $4,000. I was pretty proud about that."{{cite web|last1=Trageser|first1=Stephen|title=Mystic Mind: A Q&A with Sturgill Simpson|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2014/07/mystic-mind-qa-sturgill-simpson/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706221912/http://www.americansongwriter.com/2014/07/mystic-mind-qa-sturgill-simpson/|archive-date=July 6, 2019|website=American Songwriter|date=July 23, 2014}} The album was ranked as one of the ten best of the year by The New York Times writer Nate Chinen.{{cite news|last1=Chinen|first1=Nate|title=Nate Chinen's Top Albums of 2014, With Beyoncé, Fred Hersch Trio and More|work=The New York Times|date=December 11, 2014|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/arts/music/authoritative-albums-from-beyonc-fred-hersch-trio-and-more.html}} Metamodern Sounds in Country Music received a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album in 2014.

Simpson made his US network television debut on July 14, 2014, on the Late Show with David Letterman, playing "Life of Sin".{{cite web|last1=Hudak|first1=Joseph|title=Sturgill Simpson Makes 'Letterman' Debut: Kentucky singer-songwriter wows Dave with "Life of Sin"|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/sturgill-simpson-makes-letterman-debut-20140715|website=Rolling Stone|date=July 15, 2014}} That year, he would go on to play "Living the Dream" on a September episode of Conan,{{cite magazine|title=Watch Sturgill Simpson Live the 'Dream' With Conan O'Brien|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 11, 2014|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/sturgill-simpson-living-the-dream-conan-video-20140911}} "Turtles All the Way Down" on an October episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,{{cite magazine|last1=Hudak|first1=Joseph|title=Sturgill Simpson Explores Space and Time with 'Turtles' Performance on 'Fallon'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=October 29, 2014|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/sturgill-simpson-performs-turtles-tonight-show-fallon-20141029}} and "The Promise" on a December episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers.{{cite magazine|last=Moss|first=Marissa R.|title=Watch Sturgill Simpson Perform a Lost Eighties Hit on 'Seth Meyers'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 11, 2014|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/watch-sturgill-simpson-perform-a-lost-eighties-hit-on-seth-meyers-20141211}} In 2015, he returned to The Late Show and Conan, respectively playing "Long White Line" in February and "Just Let Go" in April.{{cite magazine|last=Moss|first=Marissa R.|title=Watch Sturgill Simpson Reincarnate 'Long White Line' on 'Letterman'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 13, 2015|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/watch-sturgill-simpson-reincarnate-long-white-line-on-letterman-20150213}}{{cite magazine|title=Watch Sturgill Simpson 'Just Let Go' With Super-Sized Band on 'Conan'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 15, 2015|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/watch-sturgill-simpson-just-let-go-with-super-sized-band-on-conan-20150415}} He played the Grand Ole Opry, and he also opened for Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits.{{cite web|title=Willie Nelson 2014 - 12/30|url=http://acl-live.com/calendar/willie-nelson-2014-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106192157/http://acl-live.com/calendar/willie-nelson-2014-12-30|archive-date=November 6, 2018|website=Austin City Limits Live}} In late 2015, he was the opening act for Merle Haggard.{{cite news|last=Vinson|first=Christina|title=Merle Haggard Praises Sturgill Simpson, Calls Modern Country Music 'Crap'|work=The Boot|date=September 4, 2015|url=http://theboot.com/merle-haggard-sturgill-simpson-modern-country-music-crap/}}

His cover of "The Promise" by 1980s band When In Rome was featured in the Season 2 Episode 9 of the HBO series The Leftovers in November 2015. The first track from this album, "Turtles All The Way Down," was featured in the soundtrack for Season 1 Episode 5 of HBO's series Watchmen in November 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tunefind.com/show/watchmen/season-1/93019|title=Music from Watchmen S1E05|website=Tunefind.com}} Simpson also wrote and performed "Sugar Daddy", the theme song to the Martin Scorsese/Mick Jagger-produced TV show, Vinyl.{{cite news|last1=McCarthy|first1=Amy|title=Sturgill Simpson Hasn't Betrayed Country Music Because He Never Was A Country Artist|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/sturgill-simpson-hasnt-betrayed-country-music-because-he-never-was-a-country-artist-8105852|work=Dallas Observer|date=March 9, 2016}} As of July 2015, Simpson's songs are represented by Downtown Music Publishing—an agreement that followed his record deal with Atlantic Records{{cite news|last=Allers|first=Hannahlee|title=Sturgill Simpson Signs With Downtown Music Publishing|work=The Boot|date=July 6, 2015|url=http://theboot.com/sturgill-simpson-downtown-music-publishing/}} in 2015.

In March 2016, Simpson released the first track from his third album, A Sailor's Guide To Earth, a song called "Brace For Impact (Live a Little)", with the album itself released in April.{{cite news|last1=Hudak|first1=Joseph|title=Sturgill Simpson on Staying Country, Covering Nirvana on New Album|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/sturgill-simpson-on-staying-country-covering-nirvana-on-new-album-20160321|work=Rolling Stone|date=March 21, 2016}} The album, which was recorded live, has been described as a "heartfelt" guide to living from Simpson to his infant son, and Simpson produced it himself, replacing Dave Cobb, the producer of his two previous records. It features work by The Dap-Kings from Brooklyn's Daptone Records, as well as a cover of Nirvana's "In Bloom."{{cite news|last1=Boilen|first1=Bob|title=Hear Thrilling New Music From Sturgill Simpson|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2016/03/04/469088013/hear-thrilling-new-music-from-sturgill-simpson|work=NPR All Songs Considered|date=March 4, 2016}} Sailor's Guide, which marked Simpson's major label debut, was nominated for Album of the Year and won Best Country Album at the 59th Grammy Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees|title=59th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees and Winners|work=The Grammys|date=December 6, 2016}} In January 2017, Simpson appeared on the Felicity Jones-hosted episode of Saturday Night Live, playing "Keep It Between the Lines" and "Call to Arms."{{cite news|title=Watch Sturgill Simpson: Keep It Between the Lines from Saturday Night Live|url=http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/sturgill-simpson-keep-it-between-the-lines/3454415?snl=1|work=Saturday Night Live|date=January 15, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Watch Sturgill Simpson: Call To Arms from Saturday Night Live|url=http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/sturgill-simpson-call-to-arms/3454433?snl=1|work=Saturday Night Live|date=January 15, 2017}} On November 8, 2017, Simpson livestreamed himself busking and meeting fans outside the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville during the Country Music Association Awards ceremony, as a tongue-in-cheek response to his not being nominated for or invited to that year's awards.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/watch-sturgill-simpson-busk-take-questions-slam-trump-outside-cma-awards-126215/|title=Watch Sturgill Simpson Busk, Slam Trump Outside CMA Awards|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 9, 2017}}

Simpson had planned to take a break from touring for the entirety of 2017 to focus on his family, but reconsidered after his Grammy nominations. He began touring again in May 2017 by playing a show at the Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach, Alabama, with Margo Price.{{cite web|url=http://alwharf.com/calendar/C25995805D~Sturgill+Simpson+in+Concert.htm|title=Sturgill Simpson in Concert 5.06.17|publisher=The Wharf at Orange Beach|access-date=January 15, 2018}} He also performed as the opening act for three shows during the Guns N' Roses "Not in this Lifetime" tour in the summer of 2017.{{cite web|url=http://theboot.com/sturgill-simpson-guns-n-roses-2017-concerts/|title=Sturgill Simpson Joining Guns N' Roses for Three Summertime Shows|last=Stecker|first=Liv|work=The Boot|date=May 25, 2017|access-date=January 15, 2018}} Simpson later stated that he was "talked into" returning to touring, despite his family commitments and feelings of exhaustion. While on the road in 2017, he suffered from a relapse of substance abuse and depression, though after the tour's conclusion, he reconnected with his wife "in a very profound and intense way" and also devoted more time to his children.

Simpson helped produce fellow Kentucky singer/songwriter Tyler Childers' 2017 album Purgatory after being introduced to Childers by drummer Miles Miller.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/hear-sturgill-simpson-protege-tyler-childers-new-song-w489192|title=Hear Sturgill Simpson Protege Tyler Childers' New 'Whitehouse Road'|last=Moss|first=Marissa R.|work=Rolling Stone|date=June 22, 2017|access-date=January 15, 2018}} Simpson would work with Childers again as producer on his next album, 2019's Country Squire.{{cite web|url=https://theboot.com/tyler-childers-new-music-album-2019/|title=Everything We Know About Tyler Childers' 'Country Squire' Album|last=Liptak|first=Carena|website=The Boot|date=July 29, 2019|access-date=August 2, 2019}}

In a March 5, 2018, interview on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Simpson revealed that he was working on his fourth studio album, and hinted that it would be a double album, though this was ultimately not the case.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0IqNaE513w|title=Joe Rogan Experience #1087 - Sturgill Simpson|last=PowerfulJRE|date=March 5, 2018|access-date=June 19, 2019|publisher=YouTube}} The title, Sound & Fury, was announced on July 21, 2019, at San Diego Comic-Con, with Simpson describing it as a "sleazy, steamy rock'n'roll record". A companion anime film bearing the same name was also released on Netflix.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/sturgill-simpson-new-album-anime-film-sound-and-fury-netflix-861660/|title=Sturgill Simpson Announces New Album, Anime Film 'Sound & Fury'|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=July 21, 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone}} The album was officially made available for pre-order on August 20, 2019, with the track "Sing Along" being released the same day. The album itself was released to positive reviews on September 27.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/sound-fury/sturgill-simpson|title=Sound & Fury by Sturgill Simpson Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=October 9, 2019}} It was released under the Elektra Records label, which Simpson was transferred to in 2018 following his time at Atlantic Records. Breaking with Simpson's established country style, it featured a fuzzy hard rock sound augmented by extensive use of synthesizers, influenced by psychedelia, funk, and electronic rock.{{cite web | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/sturgill-simpson-sing-along-new-song-video-sound-and-fury-873939/ | title=Sturgill Simpson Embraces Distorted Guitars, Eminem Swagger in New Song 'Sing Along' | publisher=Rolling Stone Country | date=August 20, 2019 | access-date=July 23, 2020 | author=Joseph Hudak}} The tracks "Sing Along" and "A Good Look" both featured music videos which included clips from the anime.{{cite web | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/sturgill-simpson-a-good-look-video-944790/ | title=Sturgill Simpson Releases Anime Music Video for 'A Good Look' | publisher=Rolling Stone Country | date=January 29, 2020 | access-date=July 23, 2020 | author=Claire Shaffer}} Pitchfork praised the album as "synth-rock at its scuzziest".{{Cite web|title=Sturgill Simpson: Sound & Fury|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/sturgill-simpson-sound-and-fury/|access-date=2020-12-05|website=Pitchfork|language=en}}

In a 2020 interview, Simpson described Sound & Fury as a record born from "burnout," especially in reaction to his 2017 tours, as well as the realization that he had become disillusioned with the music industry. He cut off contact with Elektra and refused to give them any material after the release of Sound & Fury. Simpson claimed that Elektra "[did not] know what the fuck to do" with him, as he created Sound & Fury to be difficult to market, and left Elektra with a "giant un-recouped debt" upwards of a million dollars from costs relating to the album's companion film, which was similarly hard to promote. In the same interview, Simpson heavily criticized record labels, calling them overly controlling yet noncontributory, and claimed that he was manipulated into signing a record contract by people who were no longer in his life. He also claimed that his Grammy nominations for A Sailor's Guide To Earth were a scheme for the record labels to get a return on their investment, and had nothing to do with him or his music, referencing frequent criticisms of bias and "secret committees" within the Grammys.

Simpson was originally going to perform at the Woodstock 50 music festival in August 2019, before the festival's cancellation.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2019/03/woodstock-50-lineup-leak/|title=Woodstock 2019: The Killers, Chance the Rapper, Imagine Dragons to headline 50th anniversary festival|website=COS|date=March 5, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/31/entertainment/woodstock-50-canceled/index.html|title=Woodstock 50 festival canceled|last=Gonzalez|first=Sandra|date=August 1, 2019|work=CNN}}

On October 16, 2020, Simpson released his first bluegrass album, titled Cuttin' Grass Vol. 1: The Butcher Shoppe Sessions.{{cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2020/10/sturgill-simpson-bluegrass-album-cuttin-grass-vol-1/ |title=Sturgill Simpson Announces First Bluegrass Album Cuttin' Grass Vol. 1 |work=Consequence of Sound |date=October 14, 2020 |access-date=November 21, 2020 |author=Graves, Wren}} The album features 20 songs, including bluegrass renditions of tracks culled from his first three albums, as well as songs dating back to his mid-2000s band Sunday Valley.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/sturgill-simpson-bluegrass-album-cuttin-grass-vol-1-1075299/|title=Sturgill Simpson to Release First Bluegrass Album 'Cuttin' Grass Vol. 1′|first1=Daniel|last1=Kreps|website=Rollingstone.com|date=October 14, 2020|access-date=January 8, 2021}} The album was Simpson's first collaboration with Thirty Tigers (a distribution label for independent artists), whom he began to work with after ending his contract with Elektra.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2102431/sturgill-simpson-cuttin-grass-vol-1-the-butcher-shoppe-sessions/music/|title=Stream Sturgill Simpson's New Bluegrass Album 'Cuttin' Grass Vol. 1 - The Butcher Shoppe Sessions'|website=Stereogum.com|date=October 16, 2020|access-date=January 8, 2021}} The album was officially released through High Top Mountain Records, a label that Simpson owns, and it was marketed and distributed by Thirty Tigers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/924343633/sturgill-simpson-new-surprise-bluegrass-album|title=Sturgill Simpson Raids His Own Catalog For Surprise Bluegrass Album|website=NPR.org|last=Powers|first=Ann|date=2020-10-16|access-date=2021-08-09}} On December 11, 2020, Simpson released Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 2, consisting of 12 more bluegrass recordings that Simpson was "too afraid to do on volume 1."{{Cite web|title=Hear Sturgill Simpson's 'Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 2: The Cowboy Arms Sessions' Now|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/12/11/945088769/hear-sturgill-simpsons-cuttin-grass-vol-2-the-cowboy-arms-sessions-now|access-date=2020-12-11|website=NPR.org|date=December 11, 2020|language=en|last1=McKenna|first1=Lyndsey}} The Cuttin' Grass series marked a return to independent music for Simpson, who stated "I'm realizing more and more every day what I already knew, which is that I was always supposed to be an independent artist."{{Cite web|url=https://outsider.com/news/country-music/sturgill-simpson-owning-record-label-always-supposed-independent-artist/|title=Sturgill Simpson on Owning Record Label: 'I Was Always Supposed to Be an Independent Artist'|website=Outsider.com|last=Blount|first=Quentin|date=2020-10-18|access-date=2021-08-09}}

Simpson released the concept album The Ballad of Dood and Juanita on August 20, 2021. He described the album as "traditional country, bluegrass and mountain music, including gospel and a cappella."{{cite web | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/sturgill-simpson-new-album-ballad-of-dood-and-juanita-1200072/ | title=Sturgill Simpson Readies New Concept Album 'The Ballad of Dood & Juanita' | last=Hudak | first=Joseph | date=July 21, 2021 | access-date=July 21, 2021 | website=Rollingstone.com | language=en}} It was written and recorded in less than one week, alongside the same musicians Simpson worked with for the Cuttin' Grass series.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/sturgill-simpson-announces-new-album-the-ballad-of-dood-and-juanita/|title=Sturgill Simpson Announces New Album The Ballad of Dood and Juanita|work=Pitchfork|last=Strauss|first=Matthew|date=2021-07-21|access-date=2021-08-09}}

In an interview with Rolling Stone released upon the album's debut, Simpson stated that The Ballad of Dood and Juanita would be the last record he wished to release under his own name, claiming "this is the last Sturgill record."{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/sturgill-simpson-new-album-dood-juanita-1214449/|title=Sturgill Simpson Is 'In the Head' of a Cowboy. He Likes What He Sees|last=Moss|first=Marina R.|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=2021-08-20|access-date=2021-08-20}} The Ballad of Dood and Juanita concluded a five-album "arc" he had envisioned and previously committed to, consisting of his five main albums and minus the Cuttin' Grass series.{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/indie/sturgill-simpson-the-ballad-of-dood-and-juanita/|title=Is The Latest Sturgill Simpson Album Also The Last? An Investigation|last=Hyden|first=Steven|work=Uproxx|date=August 24, 2021|access-date=August 27, 2021}} However, Simpson also expressed a desire to form a proper band with several musicians he respects, believing that it would be more "democratic" in terms of creativity. In September 2021, Simpson cancelled his remaining tour dates for the rest of the year after suffering a vocal cord hemorrhage.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/sturgill-simpson-cancels-tour-vocal-cords-1234922/|title=Sturgill Simpson Says He's Hemorrhaged His Vocal Cords, Cancels Tour|last=Freeman|first=Jon|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 30, 2021|accessdate=December 19, 2021}}

File:Sturgill Simpson (Johnny Blue Skies).jpg

Simpson announced a new album and tour in 2024, both to be credited to "Johnny Blue Skies". The moniker had been used in Simpsons' work several times before, including as the name of a production company for the Sound & Fury film and as an easter egg in the artwork to A Sailor's Guide to Earth.{{Cite magazine |magazine=GQ |issn=0016-6979 |language=en-US |department=Culture |access-date=2024-07-12 |date=2024-07-12 |url=https://www.gq.com/story/sturgill-simpson-walked-away-from-music-johnny-blue-skies-is-just-getting-started |title=Sturgill Simpson Walked Away From Music. Johnny Blue Skies Is Just Getting Started |first=Colin |last=Groundwater}} The album, Passage du Desir, was released on July 12, 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/sturgill-simpson-announces-album-name-135752130.html | title=Sturgill Simpson announces new album, new name, new tour that includes a stop at Rupp | publisher=Yahoo! Entertainment | date=June 5, 2024 | accessdate=June 5, 2024 | author=Janet Patton}} The album was recorded in London and Nashville and was inspired by Simpson's travels in Europe and Asia in the years following his vocal injury.

On October 26, 2024, Simpson was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

Simpson made his acting debut with a cameo in the 2011 indie film Orca Park. In 2018, he also had a role in the short film Black Hog Gut. He secured his first substantial role the same year, appearing in several episodes of the CBS All Access television series One Dollar, in which he plays the part of Ken Fry, a laid-off steel mill worker who sells stolen goods. In 2019, he wrote and performed the theme song for Jim Jarmusch's horror-comedy movie The Dead Don't Die, in which he also appeared as "Sturgill Zombie". A short time later, he appeared as a police officer who is killed in a struggle with one of the protagonists in the movie Queen & Slim, and in 2020, he appeared in the horror movie The Hunt. That same year, Simpson had a supporting role in the drama film Materna.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/pharrell-migos-more-produce-documentaries-for-tribeca-film-festival-2020/|title=Pharrell, Migos, More Produce Documentaries for Tribeca Film Festival 2020|work=Pitchfork|last=Torres|first=Eric|date=2020-03-03|access-date=2021-04-07}}

In 2021, Simpson was cast in Martin Scorsese's epic Western crime drama film Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) as bootlegger Henry Grammer, who was involved in the Osage Indian murders. Simpson's role in the film was announced on April 6, 2021; fellow country singer Jason Isbell was also announced as being part of the cast.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/jason-isbell-and-sturgill-simpson-cast-in-scorseses-killers-of-the-flower-moon-2915534|title=Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson cast in Martin Scorsese's 'Killers Of The Flower Moon'|work=NME|last=Triscari|first=Caleb|date=2021-04-07|access-date=2021-04-07}} He acted in The Creator (2023 film) as 'Drew' {{Cite web|url=https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2023/07/17/sturgill-simpson-to-star-in-the-creator-which-just-might-be-the-sci-fi-blockbuster-of-the-year/|title=Sturgill Simpson To Star In “The Creator,” Which Just Might Be The Sci-Fi Blockbuster Of The Year|first=Quinn|last=Eaton|date=July 17, 2023|website=Whiskey Riff}}{{Cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt11858890/characters/nm4699627/?ref_=tt_cl_c_6|title=The Creator (2023) - Sturgill Simpson as Drew - IMDb|via=m.imdb.com}}

In 2023, Simpson joined the cast for the third season of the HBO crime comedy The Righteous Gemstones playing Marshall, a member of a doomsday prepping militia.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-31 |title=Sturgill Simpson Appears in The Righteous Gemstones Season 3 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/sturgill-simpson-appears-in-the-righteous-gemstones-season-3/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} He sang a cover of "All the Gold in California" that was later released on the season's soundtrack under the name of his character Brother Marshall and the Choir of Fire.{{Cite magazine |last=Legaspi |first=Althea |date=2023-07-24 |title=Hear Sturgill Simpson's Song From 'The Righteous Gemstones' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sturgill-simpson-the-righteous-gemstones-all-the-gold-in-california-1234794169/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}

Simpson has also expressed an interest in screenwriting; during a 2020 interview, he stated that he was working on a "punk rock" reboot of the 1981 film An American Werewolf in London, as well as a script based on his experiences in the Navy.{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/indie/sturgill-simpson-interview-sound-and-fury-tour/|title=Sturgill Simpson Has A Lot To Get Off His Chest|work=Uproxx|last=Hyden|first=Steven|date=2020-02-20|access-date=2021-08-09}} Speaking on his acting career, Simpson said he did not consider himself an actor, "just a creative person seeking expression wherever that may come from."

Simpson's overall sound was described by Indiewire as "a mesmerizing and sometimes bewildering mix of traditional country sounds, contemporary philosophy, and psychedelic recording-studio wizardry."{{cite news|last=Abramson|first=Seth|title=Metamericana: Outlaw Country Goes Psychedelic: An Interview with Sturgill Simpson on His Music Videos|work=Indiewire|date=August 14, 2014|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/pressplay/outlaw-country-goes-psychedelic-an-interview-with-sturgill-simpson-on-his-music-videos-20140814|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818134639/http://www.indiewire.com/2014/08/metamericana-outlaw-country-goes-psychedelic-an-interview-with-sturgill-simpson-on-his-music-videos-133361/|archive-date=August 18, 2017}} Simpson cites Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Keith Whitley, and Marty Robbins as large influences on his music.{{cite magazine|last=Leahey|first=Andrew|title=5 Things We Learned From Sturgill Simpson's Interview With Foos Guitarist|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 31, 2015|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/5-things-we-learned-from-sturgill-simpsons-interview-with-foos-guitarist-20150731}} However, Simpson is also frequently compared to Waylon Jennings,{{cite web|last1=Lore|first1=Mark|title=Sturgill Simpson: Metamodern Sounds In Country Music Review|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/05/sturgill-simpson-metamodern-sounds-in-country-musi.html|website=Paste|date=May 21, 2014}} and his style to the outlaw country genre of country music.{{cite web|last1=Hyden|first1=Steven|title=The New-Age Outlaw Country of Lydia Loveless and Sturgill Simpson|url=http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/the-new-age-outlaw-country-of-lydia-loveless-and-sturgill-simpson/|website=Grantland|date=April 30, 2014}} Waylon Jennings' son Shooter Jennings says, "Sturgill isn't imitating at all, and he sounds like my favorite era of my dad, the Seventies, when he would sing quieter and more conversational. That's what struck me about Sturgill from Day One. And still does."{{cite web|last1=Hudak|first1=Joseph|title=Is Sturgill Simpson Country Music's Savior? Not If He Can Help It|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/is-sturgill-simpson-country-musics-savior-not-if-he-can-help-it-20140603|website=Rolling Stone|date=June 3, 2014}} Country Music Television suggested that Simpson has "a voice that recalls Merle Haggard [and] guitar licks that bring Buck Owens to mind."{{cite news|last=Deusner|first=Stephen M.|title=Sturgill Simpson Puts a Metamodern Spin on Country Music|publisher=Country Music Television|date=May 16, 2014|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1727479/sturgill-simpson-puts-a-metamodern-spin-on-country-music//|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205232020/http://www.cmt.com/news/1727479/sturgill-simpson-puts-a-metamodern-spin-on-country-music/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 5, 2014}}

Simpson's song "Oh Sarah", from his album A Sailor's Guide to Earth, is dedicated to his wife,{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/watch-sturgill-simpsons-tender-oh-sarah-on-conan-87056/ | title=Watch Sturgill Simpson's Tender 'Oh Sarah' on 'Conan' | magazine=Rolling Stone | first= Jon |last= Freeman| date=April 28, 2016 | access-date=April 28, 2020}} and the record as a whole is dedicated to his first son. The couple have three sons.{{cite web|last1=Barker|first1=Brian|title=Simpson Gets Metamodern|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/article.asp?xid=1163|website=Country Standard Time|date=July 2014}}

Simpson is a Kentucky Colonel, having been honored at the Kentucky State Capitol on March 20, 2018. Rep. James Kay described Simpson as "independent" and "very proud to be from our great Commonwealth," calling Metamodern Sounds in Country Music "one of the best albums of all time ... pure Kentucky and ... pure Sturgill Simpson."{{cite web|url=http://theboot.com/sturgill-simpson-kentucky-colonel/|title=Sturgill Simpson Honored By Kentucky Lawmakers, Is Now a Kentucky Colonel|last=Stefano|first=Angela|website=The Boot|date=March 21, 2018|access-date=June 13, 2018}}

Simpson has been open about his struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues. In a 2020 interview, he said that he had been pursuing his own forms of self-care, including cutting sugar from his diet, racing rally cars, participating in shooting ranges, and ignoring news regarding the 2020 presidential election. In the same interview, he described his political views as not leaning "one way or the other" and classified himself as an anarchist. Simpson also took up horseback riding before filming his role in Killers of the Flower Moon.

In 2015, Simpson denied media speculation that he was an atheist, replying that he has a tattoo of Jesus' name.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/31/sturgill-simpson-country-music-reluctant-saviour-metamodern-sounds-interview|title=Sturgill Simpson: 'People think I pour LSD on my Cheerios'|last=Hann|first=Michael|work=The Guardian|date=August 31, 2015|accessdate=December 19, 2021}}

{{Main|Sturgill Simpson discography}}

;Albums

• High Top Mountain (2013)
• Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (2014)
• A Sailor's Guide to Earth (2016)
• Sound & Fury (2019)
• Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 1: The Butcher Shoppe Sessions (2020)
• Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 2: The Cowboy Arms Sessions (2020)
• The Ballad of Dood & Juanita (2021)
• Passage du Desir (2024)

Television

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Category:1978 births

Category:Living people

Category:American alternative country singers

Category:American country singer-songwriters

Category:American male singer-songwriters

Category:Grammy Award winners

Category:People from Jackson, Kentucky

Category:Progressive country musicians

Category:United States Navy sailors

Category:Country musicians from Kentucky

Category:Singer-songwriters from Kentucky

Category:Atlantic Records artists

Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters

Category:21st-century American male singers

Category:Loose Music artists

Category:Elektra Records artists

Category:Thirty Tigers artists

Category:Libera Award for Best Breakthrough Artist winners