Sturgill Simpson Signs Publishing Deal
Now Sturgill Simpson is not only a major label artist, the Kentucky-born songwriter has also signed a major publishing deal with a big firm.
Announced Tuesday (6-23), Downtown Music Publishing has signed Sturgill Simpson to a worldwide publishing deal, according to Downtown’s Senior Vice President of Creative Services Jedd Katrancha. It not only includes any music Sturgill Simpson may release in the future, but also his back catalog of songs from his Thirty Tigers releases High Top Mountain and Metamodern Sounds in Country Music. Thirty Tigers allows performers to retain the rights to their songs, making the acquisition of Sturgill’s previous works possible.
“We are incredibly proud to represent Sturgill and his body of work,” said Jedd Katrancha. “To be a part of the cross-genre level of excitement surrounding Sturgill is a thrill, and we’re looking forward to working with him as he continues to grow and release new music.”
Simpson joins other country and Americana artists signed to Downtown, including Old Crow Medicine Show, Rosanne Cash, and Brandy Clark. The firm also manages the catalogs of John Lennon, Randy Newman, and One Direction to name a few.
It was announced in January that Sturgill Simpson had signed to Atlantic Records, officially making him a major label artist. His deal with Downtown now means his music is fully represented by the industry.
Why sign a publishing deal?
As opposed to having to manage his own catalog, Sturgill will now have a firm behind him making sure the rights to his songs are being managed properly. It could also increase the chances of a Sturgill song landing on a movie soundtrack, being placed in a TV show, and other such opportunities.
Sturgill is currently on the first leg of his Living The Dream Tour.
keith
June 24, 2015 @ 6:23 pm
Mercy
Yuuup
June 24, 2015 @ 6:29 pm
Hope this doesn’t screw up his future music.
Zack
June 24, 2015 @ 6:30 pm
I know a ton of people are probably tired of the Sturgill news (I personally am not), but this is incredibly huge! Good for him! I really hope that he can be the savior of country music that we (desperately) need. I’m anxiously waiting for his third album. As big as Metamodern was, I feel it was only the tip of the iceberg, and that his third album will truly decide his future.
Cool Lester Smooth
June 24, 2015 @ 6:30 pm
Having finally listened to Metamodern a couple weeks ago (I know, I know): Hell fucking yes. Congrats, Sturgill.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
June 24, 2015 @ 6:35 pm
in other news I just got “Django and Jimmie” today, it’s absolutely incredible.
Albert
June 24, 2015 @ 7:01 pm
…”in other news I just got “Django and Jimmie” today, it”™s absolutely incredible….”
……Like a well-deserved holiday away from the madness on a beach with clean fresh air and no traffic or noise. The record is thoughtful , fun , emotionally engaging , riddled with sensitive musicianship and a variety of subjects and grooves. Oh yeah ….and two of the most legendary voices on the planet . Its an absolute joy to escape to this music .
Fuzzy TwoShirts
June 25, 2015 @ 6:26 am
I would consider “Heroes” and “Django and Jimmie” to be among Willie Nelson’s best work. The material is exquisitely minimalist, with a timeless, grainy texturing and emphasis on being intimate rather than catchy or toetapping, and Willie and Merle sound even better now than they did forty years ago… and who knew Jamey Johnson played the flugelhorn? I was falling all over myself when I found that tidbit in the liner.
Dogit
June 25, 2015 @ 7:10 am
I love the new album too. “Heros” is about as fine of a Willie Nelson album ever. It was the best country album that year too. “Band of Brothers” was fun and pretty good. It is hard to believe Willie is still making fantastic music at his age.
Bill Goodman
June 24, 2015 @ 6:38 pm
I do believe you called it. And by the way, he’s had a song in an episode of Criminal Minds this past season.
BrettS
June 24, 2015 @ 6:53 pm
Really hope Sturgill puts out some new music this year like we all have stated. If so, wonder if he sticks to what he’s been doing or tries different stuff that could always disappoint some folks.
Lunchbox
June 24, 2015 @ 7:40 pm
how about Sunday Valley?
Trigger
June 24, 2015 @ 7:51 pm
That’s a good question. I am going to try to get an answer, but there’s probably not two worse words to utter around Sturgill these days than “Sunday Valley.” If I had a guess, I would say it includes all the songs he’s written. Even if they were under Sunday Valley, if he wrote them, they’re his when it comes to the publishing side.
Sam
June 24, 2015 @ 8:02 pm
why shouldn’t someone mention sunday valley around him?
Trigger
June 24, 2015 @ 8:34 pm
I guess you would have to ask Sturgill, but making sure it is impossible for anyone to get their hands on the music is probably a good indication that he’s moved on. I think and hope that at some time in the future he will have a change of heart. I know he still plays a song or two from that era, but he doesn’t play them that way. Who knows, maybe this publishing deal is the precursor to reissuing the Sunday Valley material. We’ll have to see.
Blackwater
June 24, 2015 @ 9:13 pm
Aren’t most if not all of his backing band the members of Sundy Valley?
Trigger
June 24, 2015 @ 9:23 pm
No, not really. Bass player Kevin Black was in the final incarnation of Sunday Valley and is now in Sturgill’s band, but he wasn’t an original member of Sunday Valley, and he’s the only Sunday Valley holdover. The drummer for Sunday Valley Edgar Purdom III was a big part of that band and is no longer around. Laur wasn’t added to Sturgill’s solo band until after “High Top Mountain.”
I do see this current lineup sticking around for a while though.
Jack Williams
June 25, 2015 @ 7:29 am
Yep. Should have bought the MP3 copy of the album when I had the chance. That’s what I get for being a Luddite.
Brent
June 25, 2015 @ 12:46 pm
I found the Sunday Valley album online about 6 months ago. Still have it. Just saying.
Bill Goodman
June 25, 2015 @ 6:39 pm
I had to resort to that as well. Well worth it but I’d throw my money Sturgill’s way for a legit copy.
Dan
June 24, 2015 @ 8:27 pm
He’s been playing a lot of that Sunday Valley stuff live though, like “Sometimes Wine.” I’d like to see him put that one on the next album actually, with “Little Joe” ripping on the lead would be incredible, as some of us have already seen him do it live.
Jim Bob
June 24, 2015 @ 8:40 pm
Nothing would make me happier than “sometimes wine” landing on the next album!!
Bill Goodman
June 25, 2015 @ 6:37 pm
That and “Never Go To Town Again.” My two favorites from the album.
lcuz
June 24, 2015 @ 8:32 pm
Why are the words Sunday Valley bad to utter around Sturgill? I’m sure he understands why that band wouldn’t be able to take him where he is now. I wonder if he’s going to try and incorporate some of that material into his new record.
Trainwreck92
June 24, 2015 @ 9:00 pm
I know that Sturgill has moved on from Sunday Valley and I fully respect that, but to The Wind and On to Heaven just might be the closest thing to a perfect album I’ve ever heard. I’m a huge supporter of his solo career, but I would love some more Sunday Valley-esque material in the future. There was just something truly special about Sunday Valley that gripped me from the very first time I heard the opening verse of Jesus Boogie.
Davey Smith
June 25, 2015 @ 7:00 am
I wonder if he’s still planning to throw in the towel after 3 more albums? I’m hoping for a bluegrass album from him…
Trigger
June 25, 2015 @ 7:44 am
He also said he wouldn’t sign to a major or sign away his publishing. I’m not saying he’s lying about only doing three more albums, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Ultimately if he can do things on his terms, which he’s been able to wrangle with his label and publishing situation, I can’t see why he would choose to put a cap on his creative output.
Davey Smith
June 25, 2015 @ 11:38 am
I mean, I get it somewhat… If he has a vision for what those albums will be, I can see why he wouldn’t want to dilute them. The guys/gals who don’t have a plan in this industry end up stretching out their creativity and making more stinkers than quality albums. 5 albums and 60ish killer songs seems like a career to hang your hat on. But I’m guessing the temptation is a bitch to wrangle when you think you still have more left in the tank.
Charlie
June 25, 2015 @ 3:33 pm
When did he say he’d never sign a major label deal? I recall reading numerous interviews around the time MMSICM came out where he said if a major came along and gave him creative control he would “high-five them”. I remember it clearly because he said nearly the exact same thing in each interview…almost like he knew they’d come calling and was laying out his terms in the press.
Also, where does it say he signed away all his publishing? The press release simply says he is now “represented” by Downtown. They are most likely simply managing his catalogue.
Big Cat
June 28, 2015 @ 9:42 am
False. He never said he wouldn’t sign with a major. Those who know him know he would under his terms. And that’s what he got.
He said he would never sign with a major that would not allow him to maintain 100% control. Cobb staying on board too.
Trigger
June 28, 2015 @ 10:03 am
Maybe he never said “never” about signing to a major, but he said in numerous interviews that he didn’t see the point, and was saying from the stage during one tour that he had already told most of the majors “no” when they called, and was just waiting for the rest of them to call so he could tell them “no” too. I’m not saying he went back on his word. Sturgill became a desirable commodity to where he could approach these labels from a position of power instead of need, and the calculus changed. I say good for him. I’m glad he’s on a major. All I’m saying is that just because he said a year ago that he’d only release a couple more albums doesn’t mean that will be the reality when all is said and done. The calculus could change, and he could put together a very successful and fulfilling country music career for decades to come.
Big Cat
June 28, 2015 @ 12:25 pm
Trigger agreed and well said. The bottom line is we all want Sturg to keep making great music. Right now it seems like the sky is the limit.
Acca Dacca
June 25, 2015 @ 10:56 am
So are his first two albums going to be reissued under the new publishing deal? Not that they’re out of print or anything…
Dan
June 25, 2015 @ 9:32 pm
I guess spending all his money on weed and pills finally got him a deal that’ll pay the bills
TX MUSIC JIM
June 26, 2015 @ 5:15 am
Good the man has earned his success he more than deserves all this!
Big Cat
June 28, 2015 @ 9:38 am
Congrats Sturgill. Well earned bro. Cobb is talking a big game about the new shit their about to record after the tour. Can’t wait to hear it. Maybe the best musician we have right now. Hope he stays on track. Sky could be limit for SS