Sturgill Simpson Cancels Webster Hall and Ryman Residencies

It’s game over for Sturgill Simpson, at least for the next few months as he deals with an ongoing vocal issue that has now put him on the sidelines until the end of November. The issue first presented itself on September 19th at the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, NC as part of the Willie Nelson-led Outlaw Festival.

“Everything went to shit in Charlotte,” Sturgill Simpson said. “Woke up completely hoarse. Tried all day make it work but 7:30pm clear it wasn’t happening.”

A replacement performer wasn’t able to be found for that show since it happened last minute. But Tyler Childers was able to step up to appear Wednesday night (9-22) in Alpharetta, GA at Ameris Bank Amphitheater in replacement for Sturgill, who has a long history of rescheduled appearances in the Peach State for a host of reasons. Tyler also will fill in Friday, September 24th Outlaw Festival date in Columbia, MD at the Merriweather Post Pavilion.

But along with canceling his appearance at 2021’s installment of Farm Aid on September 25th in Hartford, Connecticut, that is where Sturgill Simpson and his fans were hoping the bleeding would stop.

“Hoping just viral laryngitis or inhaling treated wood from backstage campfire at Merlefest or something equally stupid and not actual injury to vocal chords for playing too many shows in a row after not singing much for over 18 months,” Sturgill Simpson said on Wednesday. But now it seems like it could be something more serious.

On Friday afternoon, the mercurial artist took to Instagram to announce that an upcoming five-night residency at Webster Hall in New York September 28th to October 2nd, as well as a three-night run at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville November 18th to 20th, would also be victims of the ongoing vocal issues.

“I am extremely disappointed and sorry to have to inform all of you that all five performances this week in New York at Webster Hall AND all three performances in Nashville at The Ryman Auditorium in November are officially cancelled,” Sturgill Simpson confirmed Friday afternoon, and it doesn’t appear the dates will be rescheduled anytime soon. “All tickets will be fully refunded.”

One of the reasons Tyler Childers was able to step up to fill in for the Outlaw Fest dates is due to the Healing Appalachia benefit concert in West Virginia Childers was scheduled to headline on September 24th was also cancelled by local officials due to COVID-19 concerns. TK and the Holy Know-Nothings, Arlo McKinley, Don Rigsby, Jeremy Pinnell, Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle, Lucero, and headliner The Marcus King Band were also scheduled to perform.

This leaves no active dates on Sturgill Simpson’s tour schedule, as fans hope it’s nothing more than a bad case of laryngitis and nothing more serious. More information when it becomes available.

Tyler Childers is scheduled for Farm Aid on September 25th, as well as shows September 29th and 30th at Red Rocks in Colorado.

© 2023 Saving Country Music