ARTIST

Sturgill Simpson

Sturgill Simpson

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Country music singer/songwriter Sturgill Simpson grew up in Kentucky before trying his luck at Nashville.

The budding singer/songwriter relocated to Music City in the early aughts, but he couldn't figure out how to break into the scene there. Instead, he retreated to a full-time job working for Union Pacific Railroad and playing music on the side.

But music was never meant to be Simpson's hobby. In 2012, he tried Nashville once again, this time raising money to record his debut album, 2013's High Top Mountain. It was produced by Dave Cobb and showed off Simpson's low country twang and traditional approach to the genre.

He worked with Cobb once again on 2014's Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, an album that quickly began garnering critical attention for the way it took traditional country and updated the stories it told. Simpson earned a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album.

Yet, it would take one more release for Simpson to win a Grammy. His third album, 2016's A Sailor's Guide to Earth, won the award for Best Country Album and was nominated for Album of the Year. The album, written to Simpson's young son, is a guide of sorts about the best way to live and was recorded live with Simpson taking over producing duties from Cobb.

With three critically successfully country albums under his belt, Simpson began switching it up. 2018's Sound & Fury drew more on rock 'n' roll, while 2020's double album Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 explored the bluegrass genre. In 2021, Simpson released the narrative-heavy album The Ballad of Dood and Juanita.

Beyond playing music, Simpson has a growing film career. Besides contributing the title song to Jim Jarmusch's indie zombie film The Dead Don't Die, Simpson also appears in the film. He also played a police officer in Queen & Slim, and is set to appear in Martin Scorsese's film Killers of the Flower Moon.

Sturgill Simpson - The Ballad of Dood & Juanita Album Cover
reviews

Sturgill Simpson - The Ballad of Dood and Juanita

In The Ballad of Dood and Juanita, Sturgill Simpson has created something extraordinary.

Sturgill Simpson
news

Sturgill Simpson Announces New Album 'The Ballad of Dood and Juanita'

The concept album marks the singer/songwriter's third release in 12 months.

Holler Country Music
news

Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson Cast In New Martin Scorsese Film

The pair will star alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in the adaptation of David Grann’s nonfiction best-seller.

Holler Country Music
reviews

Sturgill Simpson - Cuttin' Grass - Vol.2 (The Cowboy Arms Sessions)

Just knowing this is a Sturgill Simpson album is enough for most, but there's the added bonus that's he creatively let himself off the leash.

Sturgill Simpson
lists

ESSENTIALSThe Best Sturgill Simpson Songs

As much at odds with the genre as he was in thrall of it, Sturgill Simpson was always destined to be one such cowboy; refusing to play by the rules or suck up to the establishment.

Holler Country Music
reviews

Sturgill Simpson - Cuttin' Grass Vol.1

It should come as little surprise that Sturgill Simpson would stick to his word in one day providing us with a long-anticipated bluegrass album.