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.
Stringbuzz
September 24, 2021 @ 5:13 pm
Thought there’d be mention of the Americana album of the year win.. he seemed grateful. His show in nh was fire. He has had some tough touring luck
Trigger
September 24, 2021 @ 5:21 pm
I might have a whole thing on Americana soon. Would have been buried here.
Captain Bellmeyer
September 24, 2021 @ 6:10 pm
Okay I’m just going to come out and say it: Simpson is learning the hardway that one of the things about growing older as a singer is dealing with a changing range and it’s stupid he’s having to do it. Unlike other people who learned this lesson the hard way Simpson has no excuse not to know this as well as the fact that he should remember his prior careers (Navy frigate and UP Rail Yard) would also cause problems with his vocal range particularly with him smoking and looking for any excuse to yell (like what happened at the Carl’s Jr. after a bad day at the yard), He’s probably screwed up his voice like George Harrison/John Entwistle did and he’ll probably only be able to do studio recordings from now on, I have zero sympathy for a man who doesn’t take care of his tools and I know sturgill feels the same way.
Lol
September 26, 2021 @ 6:15 am
Thanks dr dipshit.
jjazznola
September 26, 2021 @ 9:29 am
I really doubt he is looking for “sympathy” from you or anyone else.
thegentile
September 27, 2021 @ 6:56 am
that’s a lot of words to say ‘wah wah wah’
Jake Cutter
September 24, 2021 @ 7:24 pm
Looks like Honkey’s whole week just opened up.
Big Tex
September 24, 2021 @ 7:58 pm
Ahh . . . yes.
Farm Aid in Hartford, Connecticut.
Hartford is the epicenter of farm country, just as Mogadishu is the epicenter of the engineering world.
Trigger
September 24, 2021 @ 8:03 pm
I know Hartford might seem like a strange place to hold Farm Aid, but Connecticut’s dairy industry has been decimated in recent years. In fact they held Farm Aid there in 2018 for that specific reason, and I’m guessing that’s why they’re returning.
cruc
September 24, 2021 @ 8:17 pm
Quite disappointed by this news. I hope Sturgill is taking care of himself and that he’ll be able to get back out there eventually. Between this and Colter Wall’s tour being called off, it’s a rough couple of weeks to be a ticket-holding country music fan in New York City.
Gracie
September 26, 2021 @ 12:30 pm
Hartford may not be a huge farming industry area, but Xfinity is the best outdoor venue we’ve got. Our farmers have been slammed. We aren’t all elites or city people, within my town there are three farms. They are struggling. There aren’t enough crops. Awareness is something people don’t think about. Prepackaged GMO veggies in abundance from out of state, while our farmers lost theirs. I’m extremely grateful Farm-Aid came here. And for all of the artists that recognize agriculture is Connecticut, too.
OleGreg
September 27, 2021 @ 4:30 am
At least sturgill refunded tickets ASAP…. Still waiting for my 150 bucks to be returned from hostage land for my colter show.
Bill from WI
September 25, 2021 @ 6:45 am
I suggest tea with brandy and honey. Or just brandy and honey. Or just brandy.
Big Cat
September 25, 2021 @ 10:53 am
Buying tickets to a Sturgill show is like playing roulette. I’ve moved on. I hope the best for him.
If this Billy Strings album isn’t a 10 I don’t know what is. He’s getting another Grammy id consider it a lock
DooDoo Brown
September 25, 2021 @ 12:27 pm
You’re right but I’ll definitely be in a Ticketmaster waiting room again. The new Billy Strings is such a gift, He crammed 3 albums worth of the good stuff in there for us.
Big Cat
September 25, 2021 @ 1:54 pm
Sturgill obviously has some issues beyond campfires
I can’t handle his ego and bullshit any more
Yes when he wants to play he can be magical
thegentile
September 27, 2021 @ 6:52 am
does he have a history of cancelling shows outside of this and covid (which everyone did)? or are you just whining?
jjazznola
September 26, 2021 @ 9:31 am
I really hope that he is done playing bluegrass and goes back to rocking out when his voice comes back.
Big Cat
September 27, 2021 @ 7:58 am
Lol. Does he have a history? I’d consider it a long distinguished history. Ask the poor folks in Atlanta. I think he’s batting right at 50% on shows there since 2017’ish.
Yea it pisses people off when you make plans for travel, a night out and he cancels. But look campfires are dangerous.
Big Cat
September 27, 2021 @ 8:00 am
Wrong reply sorry
TheKillerRocksOn
September 26, 2021 @ 7:46 pm
.,.or it could be a side effect of getting vaccinated after having the ‘vid.,. just sayin
thegentile
September 27, 2021 @ 6:55 am
is that how it works? you just see something and then say ‘hey it’s probably because of the vaccine’? so many boogie men: masks, vaccines, immigrants, education, doctors, science, common sense, etc.
Big Cat
September 27, 2021 @ 7:59 am
Meant above reply