Sturgill Simpson Makes the Case for the Turning Tide in Country on Charlie Rose
Sturgill Simpson has seen quite a few notable distinctions in his career over the last few years, but being interviewed by one of the most respected journalists in all of media must be a new high water mark for the songwriter and performer.
On Thursday evening (10/14), Sturgill Simpson’s interview with Charlie Rose aired on PBS stations (see below), and along with delving into his life story, the songwriting process, and the inspiration behind his most recent record A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, he echoed the sentiments of George Strait and many others that the tide is turning in country music, and there may be more hope than ever for musicians like him.
“In the case of the first album ‘High Top Mountain,’ yes we did shop that around to just about every label in Nashville and even a lot of non-country independent outlets,” Sturgill explains. “Everybody passed. I think I was ahead of the curve honestly. Now if I tried to release that first record I would probably find a lot of homes for it. This was 2012-2013. It’s been a very progressive three years in terms of people searching harder to find sounds that maybe they’ve realized they’re missing.”
“Obviously there’s a large audience out there for the kind of records that I’m making, or a guy like Chris Stapleton’s making, or a guy like Jason Isbell’s making,” Sturgill continues. “I’ve got no problem with them selling the wares they’ve been selling for 25-30, but there are a lot of people out there that would really appreciate hearing the other stuff too. In a landscape for what is essentially a dying business model, I would think if I were running a label, I would look for ways to sustain my business, and look for artists that are trying to do something on a more human [level].”
Sturgill also had a great quote about the “life sauce” that he tries to put in his music.
“The wrinkles, and the scars. I like things to have a cohesive deterioration if that makes sense. I want to make wide screen music, so you can just immerse yourself. Those are the records I always loved.”
You can see the full interview and a performance below.
MeanMrMaxwell
October 14, 2016 @ 10:48 am
Thank you for including the video
Matty T
October 14, 2016 @ 11:36 am
Respects to Charlie Rose. The man always has the most thoughtful, intelligent, insightful questions for his guests.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
October 14, 2016 @ 1:01 pm
Sturgill Simpson’s most recent album is one of the most immersive and personal albums I’ve ever heard.
Second only to “My Love Affair with Trains” and “The Pilgrim.”
I liken music to books, movies and everything else.
It’s real easy in the excitement of the new Playstation to toss your old Gamecube out and get a new Playstation.
But in ten years you’re going to want to get that Gamecube back because there were some awesome games. “Star Fox Adventures” was one of my favorites.
That’s why Nintendo is re-releasing a mini Famicom. Because we threw out the old ones and after a while the glitter faded off the newer stuff and we want the old stuff back.
And it’s that way with music. We go through phases as people of trying new things but we always go back to what we loved first.
I LOOOOVE Green Day, and everyone knows it. First album I ever heard was “American Idiot.” It’s still my favorite.
first George Jones album? “Cold Hard Truth.” Still my favorite.
First John Wayne movie? I think it was Big Jake. maybe not my favorite but close.
My point is that everything that glitters is not gold, and when new music and new technology comes along it’s real easy to get caught up in it, but we always go back sooner or later.
And Country Music is gearing up for a new revival.
and I don’t think Sturgill will be a part of it.
I think he’s got too much music in him to define himself and limit himself. He may well surprise us all but I think each record will be a new animal with new tricks and I don’t think he’ll make another High Top or Metamodern.
And if he ever returns to his old sound I think it will be better than ever with all his personal growth in there to liven it up.
Jim Bob
October 14, 2016 @ 1:18 pm
Yeah, he definitely doesn’t seem to want to make the same type of album twice and I respect that. Just as long he throws a hard bluegrass album out there at some point. I don’t know why, but I’d love to hear a straight up bluegrass version of Jesus Boogie, I really, really do.
Kevin Smith
October 16, 2016 @ 7:34 am
I agree, might even say that Sturgill like many of us seems to have a massive case of ADHD musically. Personally, I wish he would as Neil Young said “get back to the country” but I don’t see it happening. Read his new interview in Rolling Stone and he is praising his favorite rappers and hip-hoppers and talking about…get ready for this….making a dance album!??!!?? For the majority of his fan base I think it will be a massive disappointment if and when that happens. And truthfully, he may not care. Ultimately he is the real deal artist who is gonna do things 100% his way…come hell or high water. you gotta admire a guy like that even if your like me and you don’t get where his vision is going. All that said…I really, really, really like his country, Waylon influenced sound and am disappointed exceedingly by the talk of his new direction.
Grady Shades
October 16, 2016 @ 8:32 am
I love all kind of music if its good. He has made very different albums every time. My personal favorites were with Sunday Valley, but I love them all. One doesn’t take away from the other IMO. Given the opportunity would you rather him make an album for the masses, and stick to the formula, or see what else is he has in his mind. My thought is just as with Hank 3 who gets criticized for making albums other than country, artist, true artist, are going to push boundaries every time. Just because he is speaking with someone else doesn’t mean the conversation is over with country. He is paying homage to the influences in his life, and staying true to who he is. If Stevie Ray Vaughn asked me Grady I think Im going to record Mary Had A Little Lamb, what do you think? NO STEVIE NO. So if Sturgill wants to do Itsy Bitsy Spider, I’ll pre order it because I trust him to give his all.
Jim Bob
October 16, 2016 @ 9:08 am
Pretty sure he was joking about the dance album. I think he joked his last album was gonna be some EDM bullshit before Sailor’s Guide came out, he seems to enjoy screwing with us and I’m alright with it. Either way, I trust it’ll be good music, no matter the style, and that’s what’s really important
Steve B
October 14, 2016 @ 2:30 pm
Get to see Mr. Simpson tomorrow night finally. Pretty excited to say the least.
albert
October 14, 2016 @ 2:37 pm
Some statements and observations may be better as poems .
Whiskey Pete
October 14, 2016 @ 5:24 pm
I shall see you in November. For my birthday. ‘Merica.
Doug
October 15, 2016 @ 11:31 am
The best part of the interview, the story about the origin of the title.
Anthony
October 15, 2016 @ 1:59 pm
Looks like Chase Rice’s 2nd attempt at a lead single is gonna fall off. Looks like Randy Houser is struggling as well. Wouldn’t be surprised if he abandons that album now.
Doug
October 15, 2016 @ 5:43 pm
What does your statement have to do with the price of tea in China? Just sayin’….
Adam T.
October 15, 2016 @ 5:27 pm
The interview was interesting, I mean, it’s Sturgill. I felt the interview on Rogan’s and Maron’s podcasts were better. I must be missing something, I don’t understand why Charlie Rose is such a big deal. He just seems like an awkward, stammering old man. Was he better in his youth? I don’t get it. Most of his talking points were just rehashed from older interviews by other people. Meh…
Trigger
October 15, 2016 @ 7:18 pm
I think if you asked Sturgill who he’s most honored to have been interviewed by, he would say Charlie Rose. Charlie usually interviews Presidents and world leaders, business titans, Tom Hank and Steven Spielberg. To be interviewed by him is an incredible honor. Charlie Rose may not mean anything to you, but he means a lot more to a lot of people than Marc Maron. It will also be an introduction of Sturgill to many people. Charlie Rose only interviews the apex predators of any field of endeavor. By getting to sit down with Charile Rose, it’s validation of Sturgill’s efforts.
Grady Shades
October 16, 2016 @ 6:06 am
Big, big deal. Charlie Rose is an introduction for Mr. Simpson to an audience that you could not force to watch Marc Maron, or Joe Rogan. In my opinion Mr. Rose is the finest in the business. I watched Joe Rogan and as usual Joe seemed to be more interested in Joe. Apples and oranges at least. Compared to Charlie Rose the others are just a step above a local paper, in my opinion. Entirely different audiences. Sturgill Simpson is a very intelligent, straight forward, well spoken man, which defies a lot of the stereotypes of country music. Two men I have a great deal of respect for, so glad this interview took place. Big, big deal.
Corncaster
October 16, 2016 @ 1:14 pm
focus on the writing, Sturgill, read some suiff by Barry Hannah, get wilder with words, let’s see what you can do
albert
October 17, 2016 @ 7:43 am
My sentiments exactly , Corncaster .
Stringbuzz
October 18, 2016 @ 1:38 pm
I enjoyed the interview and I agree this is huge for Sturgill.
Acoustic performances were excellent.
IDK where he is going from here but I can’t wait.
I’ve seen him a few times now over the years.
Last weekend in front of 3K people was epic.
He had the crowd in his hand from start to finish.
He also seemed pretty happy..
I talked a couple guys from work into going to the show. They had just started listening to him and I’ve always been selling him on them.
One of them, asked me recommendations for the next shows I was hitting. LOL
The other just came over to me the next morning, shook my hand and thanked me.
I’ll also say that Sturgill’s crowd was a wide range of ages and split pretty much male/female. Everyone was into it though. Singing all the words..
It was really cool to be there.
Orgirl1
October 26, 2016 @ 8:30 pm
Great video. Inspiring and awesome.