Sturgill Simpson’s “A Sailor’s Guide” Was Almost Deemed Not Country Enough by Grammy Awards
On February 12th, Sturgill Simpson’s latest record A Sailor’s Guide to Earth will be up for two of the Grammy Awards’ biggest distinctions—Best Country Album, and Album of the Year. But in a new detailed report about the Grammy nomination process, it has been revealed that A Sailor’s Guide was almost stricken from contention for Best Country Album for not being country enough. The same report also lays to rest the speculation that A Sailor’s Guide was allowed to cut in line in front of more commercially-successful projects for Album of the Year consideration due to a controversial “wild-card” provision in the nomination process.
According to Billboard‘s deep dive into the world of the Grammy Award’s Blue Ribbon Voting Committees made up of secret members, writer Chris Willman says, “Sources with knowledge of the discussions say Simpson … stirred up quite a bit of debate in both the all-genre and country committees—particularly the latter, where some members of the Texas and Tennessee chapters were at odds over whether ‘A Sailors Guide to Earth’ even qualified as a country album.”
This point is important for a number of reasons. Even many of Sturgill’s own fans have asked if A Sailor’s Guide is country enough to be considered in the Grammy’s Best Country Album category, and just like many of these fans, the Grammy committee ultimately decided it was. Even though the result was in the affirmative for A Sailor’s Guide, it does show that within the Grammy nomination process, there is strong consideration, and even at times dissent, about what should be considered country or not, even for critically-lauded performers like Sturgill Simpson who are from Nashville, have spent the majority of their careers in country music, but put out a record that blends in other influences with their country roots.
The fact that the Grammy committee considered turning down A Sailor’s Guide for Best Country Album shows how stringent the litmus test is for these country categories. This is important because of the controversy that erupted after it was revealed that Beyoncé’s song “Daddy Lessons” was turned down by the same committee for not being country enough. Charges of unfairness and even racism have even been levied at the Grammy Awards for denying “Daddy Lessons” the opportunity to compete for Best Country Song, but the fact they also nearly turned down Sturgill speaks to a nomination process not governed by race or elitism, but a strong interpretation of genre—even if Keith Urban’s very non-country album Ripcord somehow received a nomination for Best Country Album as well.
Also in Billboard‘s Grammy piece is confirmation that Sturgill’s A Sailor’s Guide to Earth did not get it’s Album of the Year nomination from a push by committee members to feel like they needed to add a critical underdog to a category loaded with commercially-successful projects in 2017. Other nominees in the category include Drake, Adele, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber. The Grammy Awards do have a “wild card” clause that allows Blue Ribbon committees made up of secret members to nominate an album or song for a category not voted on by the wider Grammy membership if they believe it has been unfairly underrated by the voters, or is expected to perform dramatically better in the months leading up to the Grammy’s, i.e. a late bloomer that still fits within the eligibility window.
But that “wild card” clause does not pertain to the Grammy Awards’ top four all-genres categories, including Album of the Year. “That’s a credit to our voting membership,” says the Recording Academy CEO Neil Partnow about Sturgill’s A Sailor’s Guide being nominated for Album of the Year. Sturgill was among the Top 20 vote getters in the Album of the Year category voted on by the full population of Grammy voters, which allowed him to be considered for Album of the Year without any special provisions. Sturgill’s A Sailor’s Guide nomination was earned fair and square.
The Grammy nomination process has fallen under elevated scrutiny in 2016 for numerous reasons, including the Sturgill Simpson Album of the Year nomination, Beyoncé’s denial in the country category, and concerns about the quality of the Americana nominees among other criticisms. Nonetheless, The Grammy Awards still remain one of the few major awards shows in America that regularly nominates and awards artists due to quality instead of commercial performance.
“We specifically instruct committee members to avoid any discussion or consideration of sales and chart positions, and just to use their expertise, their ears and, I guess, their hearts.” says Bill Freimuth, the Recording Academy’s senior VP of awards.
And the hearts of Grammy voters apparently believed that Sturgill Simpson’s A Sailor’s Guide to Earth belonged in the conversation for the best album released in the last year.
Blackwater
January 16, 2017 @ 12:50 pm
I still don’t think it’s a country album… I love sturgill but it’s a country artist recording r&b. Can’t wait to see what he puts out next, but I’m ready to get past this phase.
Brent
January 16, 2017 @ 2:52 pm
R&B? lol
Big Cat
January 17, 2017 @ 7:26 pm
I’m not sure what label to put it under; I just know it’s a whole lot better than the shit known as “country” today.
Whiskey_Pete
January 16, 2017 @ 12:52 pm
And isn’t it ironic… don’t you think?
Matt
January 16, 2017 @ 12:59 pm
The reason being so strict about genre classification is important is that niche genres (basically anything that isn’t the old man rock or pop that most voters listen to) would be dominated by BS nominations from crossover records that are “sort of” from that genre. For example, even if Beyonce’s record was country (which it wasn’t), a lot of voters would vote for Beyonce without listening to the other records almost because her record wasn’t that country. In both of these cases, they made the right decision.
Stringbuzz
January 16, 2017 @ 1:00 pm
Maybe SCM should just stop posting about Sturgill until he comes out with an album that is more genre friendly and country.
Although, you’ve been pretty fair with your coverage Trigger… Let the bashing begin by the SCM commentators.
It just amazes me the way this guy gets raked over the coals sometimes for the silliest of reasons..
He doesn’t give a fuck..
Not to the same extreme, but this album so reminds of when Dylan went electric.
Jacob Ware
January 16, 2017 @ 1:10 pm
Hold up, “but the fact they also nearly turned down Sturgill speaks to a nomination process not governed by race or elitism, but a strong interpretation of genre”, this says anything but that to me. Getting nearly turned down ain’t the same as getting turned down. Sturgill IS a country singer so I get that he can get the pass, and Beyonce totally sucks imo, but this story does not pertain to her terrible plight of not being recognized as the best at everything at all, just saying.
And yeah, I liked ASGTE the first couple listens; still like few songs in my rotation. But in am ready for this phase to be over aswell. I am starting to sour on Sturgill the more I think about it. The whole “he doesn’t care what you think about his musical direction” thing I keep hearing, then he should quit releasing music. Cause the people who don’t care never Go past the playing in bars stage. I know for a fact his marketing is to millenials and hipsters and was meant to keep him seeming like their little secret until the time was right.
Jim Bob
January 16, 2017 @ 2:31 pm
Yeah, because he just loves drunk millennials and hipsters so fucking much.
**sees multiple videos of him handling those douches like a boss**
…shit. Maybe he really is just making the music he wants to make in the manner he chooses to do so?? And it’s really fucking good??
**mind-fucking-blowm**
Jacob Ware
January 16, 2017 @ 2:44 pm
Not saying he isnt making the music he wants, but he does care. Those were bro country frat types according to numerous reports, but I think they were just everyday rednecks, hard to tell flannel shirts and beards being so popular n all. It would be boss if he stopped the fight himself, but all he did was call security and make offhand comments.
Wicket
January 16, 2017 @ 6:38 pm
What? You want him to bounce his own shows now?
Fucking A, man. You have some pretty high expectations. I’ve seen shows during his drinking days where he probably would, but it doesn’t seem to be a good idea for a person who makes his living playing guitar.
I also believe he cares about what people think. His fans. He wouldn’t put himself out there with such a personal record if he didn’t. But I don’t think he gives a fuck about what people want him to be, especially those in marketing departments. I mean look at that haircut.
Jack Williams
January 16, 2017 @ 2:53 pm
The whole “he doesn’t care what you think about his musical direction” thing I keep hearing, then he should quit releasing music.
What??? He still retaining a good amount of his core fans and he’s gaining new ones. Why on earth should he quit?
seak05
January 16, 2017 @ 1:12 pm
BS on the commercial performance, of course they notice….although how much is highly dependent. Drake getting any major nominations is only because of commercial performance. On the other hand, the country grammy comt this year clearly didn’t care about commercial performance (& Eric prob got screwed).
Honestly, it should be a blend. Music is subjective, what is good to one person, isn’t good to someone else. If an artist performs well commercially, that’s a lot of people saying they consider it good.
Trigger
January 16, 2017 @ 3:00 pm
Of course commercial performance factors in. But I think what they’re trying to say is they’re not going to look at an album and solely judge because it sold more than any other, or because it only sold so many. Including Strugill proves they’re true to their word on that front.
seak05
January 16, 2017 @ 3:29 pm
Yes, it should be a blend, I think the overall comt did a good job this year with both Drake and Sturgill being included. I think the country grammy comt screwed up. At least one better selling album should’ve been included.
As an aside, I think the country grammy comt would’ve received less grief over Beyonce if they’d rejected Sturgill or Keith this year, or Sam last year, or anyone else in addition to Beyonce. It’s just not a good look when the only one getting rejected is also the only AA submitting anything.
Jacob Ware
January 16, 2017 @ 1:26 pm
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c7rx2Gklu0Q
Sturgill’s team talking about the whole plan. Read the comments, decide for yourself.
Trigger
January 16, 2017 @ 3:05 pm
I’ve made reference to this panel discussion on this site numerous times. Is this supposed to be somehow damaging to Sturgill? It’s good that he has smart people around him. It’s good that his music is treated like a business so it can thrive. There’s so many folks that somehow think music sounds better if it’s unsuccessful. And now since Sturgill is blowing up, it’s even more validation that it’s shit.
I read the comments: People giving shit to Sturgill because his manager, publicist, and booking agent are talking about how best to get him in front of people and make money, which is their jobs. It’s not like his face is out there on Fritos bags like Garth Brooks, or he’s singing Nationwide jingles like Brad Paisley.
What happened to wanting your favorite artists to be successful and prosper, and sharing music that speaks to you with others?
Jacob Ware
January 16, 2017 @ 3:22 pm
Yeah, I felt like a dick as soon as i posted it. It was meant to be evidence that they do give a shit what we think. But point got lost since I’m really just being an asshole. . And all I’m saying is Sturgill fans are starting to act like Beyonce fans, like he can do no wrong, it can’t be like that. You have to be unbiased even to your favorite artist and admit when they’re fucking up. What he does next will have a huge impact on country music going forward, so I’m going to be vigilant before someone leads it all back down the drain again for the sake of gaining fans, money, what have you…..
jtrpdx
January 16, 2017 @ 3:29 pm
Completely agree that fans who are uncritical and have a “can do no wrong” attitude like a 12 year old girl worshiping Beiber is not a good thing. That is not what is happening with Sturgill though. As soon as he puts out a bad album, or starts putting on phony performances, etc., I think you will find a lot of pissed off fans. That simply hasn’t happened yet in the eyes of many, many of his fans. For what it’s worth, I am betting that his next album will be more country, in the traditional sense, but what do I know!
Trigger
January 16, 2017 @ 5:25 pm
I agree that it’s really important that we be honest about artists, and not just rubber stamp our approval just because it’s a pain in the ass to remove their bumper stick off our truck. I wrote four to five articles on the topic of “A Sailors Guide” not being a full-blown country record before and after it came out. “A Sailors Guide” didn’t make my Top 10 for 2016. But when it comes Grammy time, I’m going to be cheering for Sturgill because he’s more country, and in my opinion, better than the rest of the competition. I’m not going to be conflicted by the nuanced argument about just how country we should consider his latest work, I’m going to be happy that someone we’ve been championing for years is finally receiving the recognition he deserves.
truth5
January 17, 2017 @ 8:28 am
I’m pulling for Sturgill as well, but as you alluded in the previous article, I am amongst the crowd who is slightly frustrated that all of this is happening now and the music isn’t true country. Its like true country music is getting shit on even when one of your guys wins.
Wicket
January 16, 2017 @ 6:59 pm
Why does the fate of country music rest on Sturgill’s next album? He already changed country music. There’s Chris Stapleton now. Give the thorny crown to Margo Price if he’s not doing it for you. Turn Sturgill loose & set him free.
jtrpdx
January 17, 2017 @ 9:54 am
I’m hoping that Stapleton gets replaced by Whitey Morgan as the “savior of country”. Don’t think that is going to happen though…
Trigger
January 17, 2017 @ 11:19 am
I wish people would stop saying “savior of country” in quotes as if this is something either I or someone else has said about any of these artists. It is unfair to lump this responsibility on any one artist, and only results in resentment from other fans. I never said that about Sturgill, Stapleton, Isbell, Whitey, or anyone else. Let these artists be artists, and let the chips fall where they may.
BTW, the next rising star we should all be watching at the moment is Cody Jinks. He’s the one making drastic moves nobody is talking about. Whitey will have his turn too.
Kross
January 16, 2017 @ 1:38 pm
It’s a valid question. I personally don’t consider it country. It was an ok album, but near as good as his first two. And don’t get me started in those horns. He sounded like the Dave Mathew Band on SNL the other night if Dave Mathews drank whiskey instead of smoked weed all the time.
mike
January 16, 2017 @ 1:57 pm
I don’t care whether its called R&B, country, pop, alternative, whatever, its a great album IMHO. The only thing less important than the label to me is whether it wins a “little gold-weighted paperweight”. That SNL performance told me everything I need to know about Sturgill Simpson, and I’m all in.
Jack Williams
January 16, 2017 @ 2:10 pm
Not country enough? That didn’t stop them from nomination Montevallo last year or Keith Urban’s Ripcord this year.
seak05
January 16, 2017 @ 3:30 pm
(and this is pretty much the problem)
CountryCharm
January 16, 2017 @ 8:26 pm
Agreed. When you call a genre bending album like Sturgill’s country and it wins the Grammy for best country album, you can’t turn around and shit on Sam Hunt or the like being nominated.
I love Sailor’s Guide To Earth it reminds me a lot of The National. However if we’re going.to declare Sturgill the savior of country then you have let other non conforming artists in as well like your Beyonces and your Sam Hunts.
Jack Williams
January 17, 2017 @ 7:37 am
My point was that they haven’t been very discriminating in the recent past, so it’s a bit hypocritical to play that card with respect to ASGTE.
There are two songs on ASGTE that I consider to country (Sea Stories and Oh Sarah). And at least the R&B on the album is the hard, classic stuff, as opposed the milquetoast, safe for passive suburban folks dreck that I’ve heard from Sam Hunt that’s made it to the mainstream. Perhaps there’s some deep album cuts from Montevallo that are country and that I haven’t heard, but somehow I doubt it.
As a Northeasterner by birth, I tend to refrain from saying out loud that a song “ain’t country.” I might say that it’s watered down, cliché or soulless. I make an exception for Sam Hunt. Because that shit ain’t country.
With respect to Beyoncé, I would say Daddy Lessons is not bad for radio country. I think if Carrie Underwood or maybe Lee Ann Rimes did that song and no one knew that Beyoncé had a hand in writing it, it wouldn’t have been dismissed out of hand. That doesn’t mean it was Grammy worthy. I will say that I resent her attempt to be Queen of All Genres. I think it’s a joke that she got nominated for best rock song with Don’t Hurt Yourself. Great rock songs don’t sample other rock songs (Zeppelin’s version of When The Levee Breaks.
CountryCharm
January 17, 2017 @ 11:49 am
Okay so you don’t like Sam Hunt because he ain’t country you don’t like Beyoncé because she aint country. Fair enough. But for the people who do like Beyoncé you can see why they’re asking questions about her exclusion when other artists who aren’t country get nominations. I’m not a Beyoncé fan but I’m a fan of fairness. We can’t move the goal posts to determine what’s country just because we like/dislike an artist.
None of this is Sturgill’s fault. He’s just making good music. Either the decision makers behind nominations need to come together and lay strict guidelines or maybe fans of country music should just accept that country is evolving. Listen and support to what you like and leave that what you don’t to it’s targeted audience. One doesn’t have to mean the death of the other.
Jack Williams
January 17, 2017 @ 12:07 pm
Never said I didn’t like Beyoncé. I kinda do, actually, but not to the point where I’d buy her music. I do have respect for her.
Sam Hunt I definitely don’t like. Mainly because he’s taken the next step so that I can’t much detect any country music element in the songs from Montevallo that have made it to the radio. I think calling him country is like calling a cheeseburger Chinese food because the owners of the burger joint are Chinese. And Daddy Lessons is more country than what I’ve heard from Sam Hunt.
Corncaster
January 16, 2017 @ 2:20 pm
Since when is genre oppressive? Is it more oppressive than groupthink or whim?
Jim Bob
January 16, 2017 @ 2:38 pm
All I know is my brother (who generally hates everything country, but fell in love with High Top Mountain-he loves good music, regardless of genre. Sturgill and Dinosaur Truckers are about only country he loves…thanks SCM for both of those BTW) and I saw Sturgill in KC in November.
It wasn’t a super “country” sounding show. Hell, at one point my brother nudged me and goes, “did this just turn into a 15 minute New Orleans jazz-style jam?” I said, “yeah, I think it did.” Then we both said, “I fucking love it!!!” The good music is good.
Wesley
January 16, 2017 @ 4:04 pm
country album or not, it’s a damn good record. i listen to all types of music, myslef. that being said, i am a bit of a purist when it comes to country music (why else would i be on this site?). my music taste runs the gamut from hank willaims to hank 3, from kyuss to soundgarden, from the 13th floor elevators to to the black angels, from tool to primus…not to mention lightnin hopkins, nick cave…the beastie boys. if it sounds good to me, i will listen to it.
All that aside, i would like to see Sturgill move back to his older sound BUT….his name is everywhere now. that is of utmost importance. a LOT of people know about Simpson now, and I think this new popularity may introduce new fans to a lot of other *real* country music.
PG
January 16, 2017 @ 4:51 pm
If you are finding fault with Sturgill in any fashion, you are 1) at best, bored, 2) at worst, unemployed and/or drunk. Let’s just put a check mark next to this guy in the -He’s Good Column- and move on. Complaints about this guy remind of when I took my buddy to see Tedeschi-Trucks and he bitched about Susan jamming out on a couple of tunes. Seriously dude, your musical palate is so sophisticated that Susan Tedeschi playing lead guitar on a couple of tunes really offends you? While she is wailing like Bonnie Raitt on steroids? Sturgill is an artist trying to make honest stuff when it’s hard to do that and earn a living. Sure, we all like country here. There is a bluegrass album in him somewhere, some more pure country, and who knows what else. Or not. And he will eventually put out a total turd that no one likes. But, please. The best Trigger could do for honest criticism of this guy is give him a 7 or 8 out of 10 on one of the best American records of the year. Let’s all just move on and keep an eye out for young kids trying to get it done.
PG
January 16, 2017 @ 4:30 pm
The pro / con comments on this site regarding Sturgill are astounding to me. How is there a complaint on this guy? The best Trigger can do for honest criticism is give the guy an 8/10 for one of the best american records of the year. Reminds me of the time I took my buddy to a Tedeschi-Trucks concert and he complained about how Susan played way too much guitar all night. Really, dude? That’s how sophisticated your musical palate is? We have like 30 astounding artists on the stage for 2 hours, and you’re upset because Susan Tedeschi jammed out a couple times on her guitar? Forget that she wailed like Bonnie Raitt on steroids all night, right? This is just silly to me. The guy is an astounding artist. Who consistently delivers the goods. Sure, country fans want to see another red meat country album. Maybe throw a bluegrass record in there. Name your passion. But, please. In an era where it’s incredibly hard for artists to be artists, this guy is doing it. Put a check mark next to this guy. He’s in the good column. Let’s celebrate this guy’s music and keep our eyes focused on other aspiring artists.
albert
January 16, 2017 @ 5:41 pm
For the ” committee ” to ignore Mark Chestnutt while nominating Ripcord , ASGTE and Maren Morris’ Hero alongside Loretta Lynn is all the proof you need of an identity crisis in the genre . WHO in their right minds would put Ripcord or ASGTE in the same category as Loretta Lynn and call all three ” Country ” music ?
The whole Grammy thing is as fucked up as ” Country ” radio . Why don’t they just call Sturgill a jazz artist ?…or a world artist ?…. That’s the same lunacy at work as calling his record a ‘ country ” record .
truth5
January 17, 2017 @ 8:30 am
^ this guy gets it….
ShadeGrown
January 16, 2017 @ 6:52 pm
I don’t get how anybody thinks a Grammy is important. I also don’t get why so many musicians think ANY hall of fame is important. It’s all bullshit.
BJones
January 16, 2017 @ 7:18 pm
Not country enough? It’s not country at all. Not that that matters as long as it’s good. In my view it’s not. It’s bland. It’s forgettable. It’s a C+.
All this talk about the rage and the energy from SNL. How much rage can you possibly have on a national Tv show after a Grammy nomination and a hit record. If you ever saw Agnostic Front in the 80s in a hole in the wall in the East Village that looked like a war zone — that’s rage. SS in SNL was rage for the Starbucks set. Please.
Trigger
January 16, 2017 @ 8:11 pm
See, this right here proves my point that the biggest adversity to great music in some people’s minds is success. Sturgill Simpson played holes in the wall that look like war zones with nobody in the crowd for a decade. I can attest, because I saw him there. And perhaps the Starbucks set is the one who needs to behold the rage the most.
If he played that exact same song in your hole in the wall in the East Village, you would be lauding this performance. And the irony is, he did for a long time. Now we’re discounting the dude because people are finally noticing.
BJones
January 16, 2017 @ 8:41 pm
Ultimately, I don’t discount this album because of its success. I discount it because it’s not particularly good in my view. Frank Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Johann Sebastian Bach. All greatly appreciated by me. All incredibly successful. My view of the SNL performance was a lot of noise and contrived mugging and jumping around that ultimately couldn’t cover up the fact that the material was average at best. My impression was that he decided to make a big fuss on stage so everyone would say he had his breakthrough moment. To me it was forced and I didn’t buy it. And part of that is probably because it’s hard to generate any genuine rage when all your dreams are coming true. You don’t need to jump around like a jackass to deliver an impactful performance. Frankly if he had come out and done something from High Top or MMS well, with or without the histrionics, I’d be first in line to praise the performance.
Trigger
January 16, 2017 @ 9:07 pm
Hey, if you don’t like the album, I’m not going to sit here and try to convince you that you are wrong. I respect that opinion, and I totally understand people’s frustrations with it. And as the proprietor of a site called “Saving Country Music,” I’ve tried to represent those frustrations and give folks a forum to share and vent them. But frankly I’m a little surprised that the frustrations and disconnect some may have with this record seems to have turned to hatred and anger. Sturgill SImpson is not the problem with music, or even country music. And I know you might not be saying that specifically, but some are, or seem to be acting like that’s how they feel.
“My impression was that he decided to make a big fuss on stage so everyone would say he had his breakthrough moment.”
This isn’t just people saying he had a breakthrough moment, Sturgill Simpson had a breakthrough moment, period. You think it was contrived? Hye, that’s your opinion, and I can understand that perspective. But it still was a breakthrough, and that can be corroborated with social network chatter and sales stats, some of which I will be posting soon. Thousands of people were turned on to Sturgill through that moment. That’s the reason you play television. And I just don’t see that as a bad thing.
SpecialK
January 18, 2017 @ 5:01 am
The opposition to this album, in large part, isn’t because it isn’t country: its becuse the matetial on the album is droning garbage with no melody to speak of. It isn’t bad because it’s not country, it’s bad because it’s bad. Sure this is my opinion and I’m entitled to it but cmon now- this guy writes some of the most flat and uninspiring melodies. I like all genres of music with well thought out and constructed songs.
Trigger
January 18, 2017 @ 11:12 am
No, the opposition in large part is because it’s not country. I understand there’s a contingent out there that also says the music just isn’t very good, but they’re 10 to 1 to people complaining it’s not country, here and on social network.
Hey, you can’t argue taste, and “A Sailors Guide” is certainly Sturgill’s least country project yet. What I don’t understand is how we’ve gone from, “Eh, I don’t particularly like it, and it’s not that country anyway,” to downright anger and hatred by some folks just because Sturgill has become popular. I have seen people saying his music is worse and less country than Florida Georgia Line, Kelasea Ballerini, and Sam Hunt. This is sheer madness.
It’s also fair to point out that all this dissent is a very vocal, but very small minority. The reason this dissent has come out is because the vast majority of people thought Sturgill’s performance on SNL was incredible, and it resulted in a viral event.
jtrpdx
January 17, 2017 @ 10:04 am
It is really silly that you are so concerned about the stage movements of an artist. Sturgill has been high energy since day 1. Also, if you think that was just “a lot of noise”, you have a lot to learn about musicianship. All of the solos were great, Sturgill’s bass player is solid as a rock, and his drummer works magic with that tiny kit. You could see the sincerity is all of their faces. I think you are in a very small minority if you thought it was all made up and couldn’t see how badass of a performance it was by all. Even if you don’t like the music, you should be able to recognize a great, energetic performance if you see one. I don’t think anyone ever stated that Sturgill set some new record for “rage” on a stage….and nobody ever said he should be compared to Agnostic Front in the “rage” category. Finally, I would agree that this would have been a let down of a show…if it were a full 2 hour set of this type of jamming and higher energy type stuff and he ignored his older catalog and more subtle, traditional songs. BUT, this was not a full set…he had 9 minutes to make an impression on the world (90%+ of which aren’t necessarily country fans), and he did that in a huge way. I thought the strategy behind it from that point of view was brilliant. Doesn’t mean he sold out in any way, just means that he made the right decision for this particular, limited 2 song opportunity.
Corncaster
January 17, 2017 @ 9:40 am
you put the finger on it here
I love that Sturgill is getting on the big stage, and I wish he’d get up there and sing country music not because I’m an a**hole who hates artists and want him to do what *I* want, but because I thought he loved it and was fierce about it — now it seems (seems) like all he’s fierce about is himself, and all that panel marketing “let’s blow up Sturgill” strategizing tends to reinforce that vibe
trig, I want Sturgill to deepen his writing. if he is himself an iconic story in the making, it will be because his personal story will be recognizable as a story we can all get behind. ok, he’s paid his dues in dingy bars and nightclubs when no one was paying attention. sorry, but there are a million other people/bands out there that have done the same thing. yes, being an artist means you have to suck it up and hustle. but that’s not enough of a story.
when people got excited about the Sturgill/Waylon comparison, it wasn’t just the voice — it was the story. Sturgill has a lot of life to write about, and a lot of people to write about. what was it like in the Navy? he worked the railroads, right? he did drugs (woopty f’in doo, btw). where are the portraits of these people? where’s the life experience? what’s bumming me out and maybe others is that storming around onstage like Mr Frowny Face is merely giving the middle finger to things. when Cash did that, Cash had a whole mess of songs that weren’t that.
Sturgill won’t be a bro country killer just by having killer instinct and a PR wing. he’ll help kill off this pop rock bro country silliness by *actually writing better and wiser songs* and by being the kind of musician younger musicians can look up to
jtrpdx
January 17, 2017 @ 10:10 am
I think you are reading way too much into a 9 minute total, two song performance. This one performance doesn’t mark a change in direction. I also disagree that his writing has ever been anything but deep….as a matter of fact, A Sailor’s guide is as deep as it has gotten (full disclosure, my favorite Sturgill album is Metamodern…by far). I think the future will hold a lot more traditional country from him. This was 9 minutes on a national stage, and the song selections, energy, etc. were perfect for that. I also thought it was awesome to give his band members some individual time in the spotlight with the mini solos. Let’s not forget that people who were turned on to Sturgill by this performance will go out and get is other albums as well…it’s not like they will never hear his more traditional country stuff just because he didn’t play it on SNL.
Trigger
January 17, 2017 @ 11:16 am
I’m surprised that so many are shocked that Sturgill used the opportunity of performing on SNL for what it’s there for: to get your music out to more people who don’t know who you are. I guess he’s supposed to use this opportunity to gaze at his shoes and ingratiate himself to his core fans some more.
Corncaster
January 17, 2017 @ 3:46 pm
my post is about him, not the SNL segmentb
sturgill has talent, I want to see him go farther
he has to write himself there
Acca Dacca
January 16, 2017 @ 7:21 pm
WHAAAAAT? Who’d have thunk that signing with a major label that sells your album as indie rock to stores, losing the cowboy hat and twang then appealing to hipsters would have people questioning your country cred?
In all seriousness, I’m not sure what the news is here — Beyoncé’s song was denied a nomination based on genre parameters whilst Sturgill’s album among others was not. Pointing out that they “almost” denied Sturgill doesn’t exonerate them from the charges of racism, it fuels the fire. Why was Sturgill allowed to remain under the country umbrella while Queen Bey was not? Not to mention Keith Urban’s inclusion and Sam Hunt’s last year. And don’t misunderstand me: I’ve read every article you’ve posted about this Beyoncé racism bullshit and I agree 100%. But this line of thinking shows its seams; feel free to refer me to the point if I happened to miss it. I know this is about Sturgill but I couldn’t help bringing that up.
Sturgill fans: even if he might distance himself from the hipster crowd (which I consider up for debate), make no mistake that he’s very much been embraced by them. Is that a bad thing? Not exactly, but it can certainly be disconcerting. I’ve talked with quite a few people of that ilk about the album and they all love it; they think it’s his best. And if you think there’s no correlation between their perceptions of the record’s quality and how downplayed the country influences are, you don’t know hipsters. The problem in my mind isn’t so much their opinions but the same issue that the “I hate country music but like Johnny Cash” charge presents: people that don’t know shit about country music thinking they’ve dabbled enough in it to have an informed opinion because they listened to one artist with the genre’s rougher edges sanded off. Is Johnny Cash country? Is he an icon? Do I love him? You’re damn right on all three. But his sound was so bare that he can fit into almost any genre comfortably, which is what makes him such a problem at times. There’s a reason why it’s not hard to find rock & roll fans that COMPLETELY denounce his country statesmanship (along with Steve Earle — though it’s my opinion that anybody that brands him rock hasn’t heard any of his material outside of “Copperhead Road” and just maybe “Guitar Town”).
I perfectly understand that Sturgill has resolved to follow his muse rather than a rulebook. While it may not seem it at times, I actually respect that decision a great deal. I suppose the bump in the road for me is that he didn’t jump to the top of my favorites list to begin with and I’ve liked each successive album less and less, culminating in not caring much at all for Sailor’s Guide. There: I’m freely admitting my bias. But surely nobody is going to begrudge me the concern that Sturgill might be exceeding his grasp a bit, and maybe I’m insane, but I consider him more dangerous than any Sam Hunt or Florida Georgia Line. For the most part, the fans of bro- and metro-country are just looking for a good time; they aren’t listening for art. These people that fancy themselves intellectual music fans just because they beat off to Pet Sounds every night bother me more than the people who are eating up what the radio’s giving them because they hear catchy melodies and don’t know anything else is out there. The average joe at least feigns a respect for the legends; the others are openly resentful of them, save for one that they latched onto because he isn’t challenging in terms of sound or aesthetic. And it follows that this personality (and offshoots of it) writes the op-ed pieces that liken Beyoncé to Jimmie Rodgers and Merle Haggard, with misplaced arrogance and “knowledge” to back it up. I suppose we’re lucky that there’s so much fewer of them, comparatively.
Am I being xenophobic? Unfortunately. Is it ironic that I’m generalizing a sect of personalities whilst starting my point by debating an issue of racism? Yes, again unfortunately. But I suppose I’m not intelligent enough to put this another way, and I’ve already typed too much.
Trigger
January 16, 2017 @ 8:35 pm
I wouldn’t assume my intentions for posting this article. Despite getting blistered with attacks here and on social media, I actually think folks have a decent point when they say “A Sailors Guide” is not particularly country, and I understand why they’re disappointed that it is this album that is getting all the attention. I understand why they’re disappointed because I made these same points when the album was released to the point of becoming redundant on the topic. Yet I’m getting talked down to by own readers for not knowing what “saving country music” means.
I posted this article because I thought it was an interesting discussion point, and important information for the public to know. And I stand behind my point that the fact the Grammys considered the validity of “A Sailors Guide” as a country album strengthens the position that they’re doing their job to make sure things get categorized properly.
I have no clue what your point is with your hipster comments. Who gives a shit who likes Sturgill’s music? Is that somehow supposed to reflect back on the music itself? Am I supposed to penalize Sturgill because of who is fans are, or because he doesn’t insult them or shy away from them? The last Sturgill show I went to, I didn’t see anyone I would label as a “Hipster,” and I live in the home of them, and make sport of bashing them on a regular basis.
Acca Dacca
January 16, 2017 @ 8:47 pm
Well, now I feel bad. I suppose my ultimate lumbering point is that music that is only country at an arm’s length attracts people who don’t respect the traditions of the music. I may not have employed the most gracious syntax or through line, but surely we can agree that that’s a consideration these days? But when you put it that way, I can see why my comment might come across as incoherent, if not under the influence. My point made more sense to me before you responded… But I personally appreciate that you put up with this kind of crap from me and others.
Trigger
January 16, 2017 @ 9:11 pm
I can understand your point about dirtying the pool of country fans, but I think that’s focusing on the potential negative byproducts of something instead of the inherent positives.
And I don’t say this enough, but I’m glad that folks are coming here and venting their frustrations. That’s why I posted this article, to illustrate that there are people on the Grammy committee that showed the same concerns about the country-ness of “A Sailors Guide” as people are showing here. But ultimately, those concerns were put to bed. And I just think the same should be done by the folks that love Sturgill’s older material, and hope for great stuff to come from his future projects.
Sam Cody
January 16, 2017 @ 7:54 pm
I like Simpson, but hat album isn’t even country enough to be a Hunt / Ballerini duet album.
Trigger
January 16, 2017 @ 8:27 pm
See, this is how we know that this “is it country or not” argument has become ridiculous.
Jackie Treehorn
January 16, 2017 @ 9:18 pm
Mmmm, not country enough? Nooooo shit….?Wonder where they got that crazy assertion? Oh wait, they probably listened to the album……
RWP
January 16, 2017 @ 9:47 pm
I’m not that big on “Sailor” myself,but don’t really bitch about it ,I just don’t listen to it. I have noticed though he has been keeping the horns in on his older songs, and I hope he stops that shit.Horns on ” A life Of Sin” and “Long White Line”? Stop it!
Jack Williams
January 17, 2017 @ 7:18 am
Could not agree more. Saw him in October and thought the horns on the older country songs were a bit tedious. That’s why my favorite part of the show was him playing all of ASGTE to close to show, enough though it’s my least favorite album of his (like it a lot , don’t love it). Because on those songs, the horns obviously made sense.
RWP
January 18, 2017 @ 2:22 pm
Yes,it’s only the older songs I don’t want to hear it. It seems once they add horns though,they stick around. I noticed Zac Brown with horns on his older songs too now. (I think we all agree,Zac is all kinds of screwed up these days) Jimmy Buffett adding horns,flutes,background singers and whatever else he can get on stage to ruin all those great songs from the 70’s may have been the one from a country perspective to start it all.
Brad
January 16, 2017 @ 10:48 pm
Who Cares for fucks sake of its country or not country? The dude put out two damn good country albums and then did something else on the third one. He went from playing free show in parking lots to headlining the Ryman, selling out theaters across the country, playing SNL ( and killing it) and getting nominated for the biggest award in music in 4 years. And he did it his way , without any radio or social media help. The dude should be applauded by every real music fan on this site instead of bashed because he didn’t do what YOU wanted him to do. In this era of canned crappy music you really want to denigrate one of the very very few musicians who is making actual music with actual musicians in his band because he didn’t make another album like the first two? Seriously? Pit your preconceived notions away , put on your headphones, and listen from beginning to end and enjoy it for what it is and not fit what you wanted it to be.
Don
January 17, 2017 @ 5:40 am
Not country enough? How about Taylor Swift’s last release? Puh-leeze!
Benny Lee
January 17, 2017 @ 6:37 am
I am both happy and sad about this.
On one hand, I am very happy Sturgill is finally getting recognized by the larger music world. IMO, ASGTE is worthy of the all-genre best album award, and I hope it wins.
On the other hand, I see only 2 actual country albums in the best country album category (Brandy Clark and Loretta Lynn). A ton of great albums that deserve consideration as COUNTRY albums are being ignored so that these albums can be propped up as country:
– pop star Keith Urban’s least popular and least critically acclaimed album in years
– pop star Maren Morris’ debut album containing 1 country song
– ASGTE, which as far as I can tell, is a genre-less piece of art; beautiful in its own way, but not country at all
So, good job to the nominating committee (I guess?) for thinking twice about an album that’s not country, and then still including it, while not batting an eye at the other two non-country choices and ignoring some of the best real country albums from 2016.
Countryeddie
January 17, 2017 @ 7:51 am
They should have nominated cody jinks, at least no one can argue about him being true country!
Coyote
January 17, 2017 @ 11:40 am
I agree Cody Jinks is the most talented true country artist I have listened to. You listen to his album and you don’t have question anything you just enjoy it. I think Sturgills album is good not his best. I do find it hard to get behind the effort without questioning the horns and departure from what he has done in the past. I will say though that I want to back him up on this. I feel like the more people who complain about his album the more it will make him want to make an EDM album or a pop album. He just seems like he wants to do his own thing and thr more people want to put down his music the more he will want to depart from country and silence his critics.