Unpacking the Ultimate Impact of Sturgill Simpson’s 2017 CMA Awards Moment
Sturgill Simpson and his busking set outside of the CMA Awards will be forever etched into not just the memory of the 51st Annual CMA Awards, it will be ensconced into the annals of country music history as one of the greatest moments of protest against the country music command and control structure of all time. In a word, it was historic. Country fans will be talking about it for generations, long after the memory of who won Single of the Year in 2017, or who performed the opening song are summarily forgotten, and filed to Wikipedia. And no matter how you feel about what Sturgill did, or what he said, the truth of Sturgill’s impact is universal, and will be forged through the unwavering force of time, good or bad. It’s Johnny Cash kicking out the footlights. It’s Alan Jackson launching into “Choices” from “Pop A Top.” In fact often these instances don’t diminish as memories fail, they’re magnified from being referenced back upon fondly so many times that eventually the myth precedes the actuality of the moments. It becomes legend.
However Sturgill’s antics outside the the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville weren’t purely a moment of protest. Most assuredly, there was that element. With his 2017 Grammy for Best Country Album in tow, Sturgill exposed the CMA’s skewed process simply by his presence outside the building instead of inside of it. But Sturgill didn’t take the moment to trash the CMAs. He had little to anything discouraging to say about them in fact. If anything, he let them off the hook, saying it might be his fault for not being considered for awards by not filing the proper paperwork. He also complimented a few of the artists involved, including Jason Isbell who was nominated for Album of the Year, Chris Stapleton who eventually walked away with Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, Miranda Lambert who won Female Vocalist of the Year and had one of the greatest performances all night with the ultra-traditional “To Learn Her,” and even Keith Urban, who’s been an outspoken fan of Sturgill in the past.
It wasn’t as much of a protest as it was an upstaging, or Sturgill making his own stage when one wasn’t afforded to him by the CMAs. This has been one of the most profound skills and hallmarks of Sturgill Simpson’s career—taking a lack of opportunity, and making the most of it. Like Sturgill said at one point during the live feed outside the Bridgestone, “I’m only in competition with myself,” because he’s side-stepped all of the barriers that usually saddle independent-minded artists from being able to achieve their goals, including being dependent upon awards for attention. Sturgill made his own opportunity, and then succeeded within that opportunity, at least in the goals he looked to accomplish.
Sturgill was there explicitly to answer any question posed to him. That was the underlying initiative behind the exercise due to the requests the CMA had made of media to steer clear of certain political subjects when asking questions of artists on the red carpet—a request they later walked back. So to that extent, you can’t fault Sturgill for answering the questions posed to him, and doing so with brutal honestly, even when they veered into the political realm, if not especially when they did. In fact, for his efforts to be effective, it was imperative Sturgill answer the political questions, and pull no punches.
But the maxim still remains that if a music artist broaches divisive political subjects, especially with the kind of heavy hand and lack of subtlety that Sturgill employed that evening, then you’re going to alienate elements of your fan base—something which has come clearly into focus in the aftermath. This is not to say that artists can’t speak out on political matters, or even that they shouldn’t. But from an economic point-of-view, doing so limits the scope of their audience, fair or not, and now more than ever in this politically-charged environment.
Where throngs of supporters watched along and rallied behind Sturgill during his 45-minute live feed, others were revolted when Sturgill lashed out at President Trump, saying, “…anybody who’s still supporting that guy can’t be anything in my mind but an ignorant fucking bigot. So there it is. Anybody that’s surprised to hear me say that is going to unfollow me or stop listening to my record was probably not listening that close anyway.”
Many Sturgill Simpson fans took specific offense to being called an “ignorant fucking bigot” by someone they saw previously as one of their heroes. As Sturgill said, nobody should be taken by surprise by the slant of Sturgill’s politics, but to specifically single out the Trump supporters within his own fan base and insult them seemed especially coarse. If you feel Trump’s policies and principles are misguided, and since Trump needs the support of the population to implement them, why not attempt to persuade those individuals to see what you believe to be the error in their judgement, and do so with discourse as opposed to repel them with insult, especially if you already have their ear as fans?
What do you expect to gain aside from purging certain elements from your fan base to go be Trump supporters somewhere else, or even become more entrenched in their belief system after being insulted? Is this about changing the world, or changing the makeup of your crowd? Why not let the nuance of message filter through your music—as Sturgill was already doing—to an audience who might be receptive as opposed to repulsed?
Sturgill Simpson is in a unique position where when he speaks, people listen. If he proved nothing else during the 2017 CMA Awards, he proved that he needs no forum but the sound of his voice and a little technology for amplification to command an incredible audience. It is very possible that in regards to media coverage, Sturgill Simpson himself was on par with the CMA Awards in 2017 for the amount of ink they each received. The CMAs had the eyes, but Sturgill Simpson had the ears.
Yet the focus on Sturgill’s actions should not be solely on his politics, of which made up only a small portion of the event. Among many other things, Sturgill Simpson’s live feed from the CMA Awards might be the best, and most candid and revealing interview he’s ever given in his career, and may never to be bested in the future. And it’s not because it was conducted by some skilled journalist (though music journalist Adam Gold deserves an assist for operating the camera phone and reading the questions), it’s because the questions were coming from Strugill Simpson fans themselves, and Sturgill was responding directly to them. The filters of bullshit that hold the truth back in modern music journalism, especially for an unusual and introverted artist like Simpson, had all been stripped back. Sturgill even remarked about his frustrations and failings with interviews during the event. They were your questions, and Sturgill Simpson’s honest answers.
There was a remarkable amount of information about Sturgill’s current and future plans in music revealed in the exchanges, as well as piecing together clues from his efforts of years past, making for a smorgasbord of revelations from an otherwise immensely private and unconventional artist. Naked of the political discourse, this stuff would have been received like a universal godsend. The fact that folks glossed over all of that information to focus on a few sentences about politics speaks deeply to the skewed priorities of today’s politically-charged society. If you counted yourself a Sturgill Simpson fan before the event and shoved everything else aside to be incited by his political discourse, you’re missing the point of being a music fan.
That’s not to say you don’t have the right to be disappointed or angry, whether it’s about Sturgill’s political revelations, or the fact that there is a good chance his next record won’t be that country at all. If you’re a Trump fan, Sturgill Simpson specifically asked you to purge yourself from the ranks of his listeners in very pointed language, and in no uncertain terms. He wants you to be angry with him. And if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool country fan, Sturgill Simpson has left little room for interpretation, and has now broken your heart more than once. As a country fan, you have every right to be disappointed that it appears Sturgill’s heart is not in country anymore, at least when it comes to the direction of new music. And don’t ever feel like you have to justify to anyone why you’re a country fan first. But that doesn’t mean Sturgill is obligated to you as an artist to serve your very specific interests at the detriment of what he sees as his creative path.
Plain and simple, Sturgill Simpson seems perfectly fine to sever ties, and even alienate individuals if necessary to move forward. But Sturgill isn’t unaware of these side-effects and consequences. He’s hyper aware of them. Stugill was clearing the decks, cleaning the slate, conducting a fire sale, so that he could move on unencumbered, whether it’s by what he sees as ignorant Trump supporters, or the limitations of genre. Those who think Sturgill’s sole aim outside of the CMA Awards was to raise funds for the ACLU or get back at the CMAs are not paying rapt enough attention. Sturgill Simpson’s underlying message has always been delivered between the lines, not in overt, direct statements. Those are just the things he uses to set the table.
It’s difficult to say if Sturgill’s sideshow disrupted the unity inside the CMA Awards in any measurable way. Did murmurs of Sturgill’s doings outside seep in via social media, and spread through the CMA gallery and backstage? It’s certainly fun to imagine it did, and how people reacted as they were simultaneous attempting to ingest what was happening within the presentation as well.
Perhaps if Sturgill had been more outspoken about the CMA, his efforts may have come across as bitter, and more of a publicity grab than a moment of performance art, and possibly even disrespectful in light of Carrie Underwood’s stirring tribute to the Harvest 91 Festival victims and fallen country music greats, Miranda Lambert’s tearful performance, and Chris Stapleton’s big night, stimulated in no small part by the inspiration Stapleton received very specifically from Sturgill’s Metamodern Sounds in Country Music to make a record with producer Dave Cobb in a live setting, of which the results have been the launching of country music’s first organic mainstream superstar in arguably decades. No matter what side of the Bridgestone Arena gates Sturgill was standing on, his influence loomed large in that building, as it has every CMA Awards since 2015.
That’s why regardless of what type of record Sturgill Simpson releases next, or what his political views might be, his impact on country music is cemented. Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and others were criticized in their time for being caustic malcontents, not country enough, crying for attention with their combative behavior, and mocked for their political beliefs. But you remember them, and their legacies loom large, not just from their music, but from their words and actions.
Even the people who’ve now sworn off their Sturgill Simpson fandom and any affiliation with him moving forward can’t pass up any and every opportunity to bring up his name. They can’t stand him, but they can’t look away. They hate him now, but the same obsession from when they were a fan remains. Sturgill’s fans pay close attention. His detractors pay even closer attention. There’s barely been an article posted on Saving Country Music since Sturgill’s CMA upstaging that hasn’t veered towards the topic of Sturgill by his haters. And it’s not that their hate isn’t justified. But ironically, it only seems to make Sturgill’s star burn brighter.
Because it is Sturgill who is driving the narrative, even when he’s not there. Sturgill gained more by being uninvited to the CMAs than he would have being nominated for an award and appearing, because it’s the CMA’s that need Sturgill, not Sturgill who needs the CMAs. He may not be the country music messiah, but he certainly is the country music Huck Finn. He’s a folk hero, and a rebel, doing whatever everyone else wishes they could do, but don’t have the guts to. Was it an attention grab? Of course it was. Was it caustic and judgemental in spats, and even detrimental to his career in how the audience henceforth may be more limited, and any love between him and the CMA may be lost forever? You bet.
But it was also Sturgill being Sturgill. And through his actions at the 2017 CMA Awards, he enshrined himself into the annals of country music history more so than any CMA win ever could. Because Sturgill Simpson proved that moments are always more powerful than industry mementos in the mind of country music fans, and in the cold judgement of history. Good or bad, Sturgill Simpson got your attention. And in music, that’s ultimately what matters most.
Chad
November 16, 2017 @ 10:01 am
“the truth of Sturgill’s impact is universal, and will be forged through the unwavering force of time”
Wow. Quite a statement.
Do you really think this registered as even a blip to the rank-and-file fan of country-pop? I’m positive 95 percent of those watching didn’t know it was happening, and still don’t. Remember: Johnny Cash spent his twilight years out of the mainstream spotlight. He didn’t change things, and Sturgill (as awesome as he is) isn’t going to either.
I think it was great. Music journalists liked covering it. Nashville music honchos probably think he’s an asshole. Everyone else? Dubious they’re even aware of it.
We’ve got two versions of country music now. I think I’m fine with that; it allows me to easily seek out one and ignore the other.
James
November 16, 2017 @ 10:12 am
What are the 2 versions?
Chad
November 16, 2017 @ 11:01 am
In my mind, one is what you hear on the radio, country-pop, or some such.
The other is in the realm of Americana, a subset of the genre. Sturgill (first two albums), Isbell (some “country,” some not), Stapleton, Margo Price, Kasey Musgraves, Brandi Clark, Lori McKenna (somewhat).
Leroy
November 17, 2017 @ 2:24 am
Stapleton’s record is so mainstream, it makes me squirm! He’s a talented guy, I assumed the album would be way less ‘commercial’ than what it is.
10-GEN-NC
November 20, 2017 @ 7:12 am
Same 2 there have always been in every genre….good & bad lol
***and in other news there are only 2 kinds of beer, cold & free (source: my dad saying that a million times growing up)
hoptowntiger94
November 16, 2017 @ 10:19 am
“Johnny Cash spent his twilight years out of the mainstream spotlight”
What? The American recordings? One won a CMA. All the others won Grammys. The twilight of his career was a resurgence of popularity and mainstream acknowledgment.
Chad
November 16, 2017 @ 10:52 am
“Mainstream,” as in, radio play. Was he acknowledged? Certainly. Did he make a lot of money off of it? Certainly not. And in a capitalist economy, you follow the money if you want to see real change.
I’m not dissing Cash — he’s one of my favorites. I guess it’s a matter of defining “success,” acclaim vs. financial. Until it makes money, it’s not going to truly change the world.
hoptowntiger94
November 16, 2017 @ 11:18 am
Hold my beer…
American IV: The Man Comes Around (released November 5, 2002) was certified platinum on November 21, 2003. It won the CMA Album of the Year in 03 along with yielding the Single of the Year and Music Video of the year for “Hurt”.
To the present day, Cash’s studio albums for the American series have continued to sell and chart extremely well, as evidenced by the Platinum No. 22 POP, No. 2 C&W American IV: The Man Comes Around (released one year before his death) and the gold, No. 1 on both charts, American V: A Hundred Highways.
Chad
November 16, 2017 @ 1:42 pm
You know, I knew he got critical acclaim for the American series, but honestly didn’t do my homework on how many he actually sold.
So I was wrong. You don’t hear that much on the internet.
I will maintain the part of my point that he didn’t gain acceptance from traditional country radio/fans at that point.
Trigger
November 16, 2017 @ 2:32 pm
But also remember, at first Cash’s American Recordings were ignored by the country industry. That was when Cash and Rick Rubin took out a full page ad in Billboard in 1998 with the notorious middle finger photo and shoving his Grammy win in their faces, saying “American Recordings and Johnny Cash would like to acknowledge the Nashville music establishment and country radio for your support,” with the addendum, “Johnny Cash ‘Unchained’ Winner Grammy Best Country Album.”
Basically, that’s what Sturgill Simpson did, but instead of paying Billboard, he took to Facebook live.
Hugh
November 16, 2017 @ 9:03 pm
It’s almost like the academy is rating the person with their approval and not just their music. Cash got the fame when he was no longer able to do any damage with it. Giving the middle finger was his response? What kind of damage would a person like that have done when he was a younger gun? Trust me, I’m famous.
hoptowntiger94
November 17, 2017 @ 9:05 am
Chad –
If I was being honest, I thought all five collectively sold much better than they did. I assumed all five were platinum status.
Trig-
Great points.
Trigger
November 16, 2017 @ 10:21 am
I think the career of Sturgill Simpson and Johnny Cash’s American Recordings era is a great parallel. Maybe Johnny Cash didn’t change things within the country music industry, but he also proved that it didn’t matter. He still had great cultural impact, he still sold incredibly well commercially, and he still found recognition from his peers and the public through other avenues, specifically the Grammy Awards, just like Sturgill.
Either country music can incorporate the energy that is flowing into independent country and Americana at the moment, or it can be left behind as a commercial juggernaut with no cultural impact or cool factor. The CMAs made a move in the right direction by nominating Jason Isbell. But there still remains the need to give those setting the creative pace in country music a place at the table. If not, they’ll go make their own like Sturgill did, and leave the CMA as irrelevant.
Chad
November 16, 2017 @ 10:56 am
I won’t argue with this. I’ll only reiterate my point made to a reply above; until it moves the capitalism needle, it’s not going to truly change much. People in Nashville making bank off FGL don’t give a flying hooey about cultural impact or cool factor. When people (the fans who buy the music and concert tickets) demand it by opening their wallets, it will happen (and we are indeed seeing some of that with the success of Isbell and Stapleton in album sales).
Hugh
November 16, 2017 @ 9:22 pm
Some people believe that it’s the other way around. That winning an award sells more records and songs especially with Country, Americana etc. artists. They get recognition, they become cool, someone who knows what they are talking about says so. $1.29 not much money, what do most people know about what’s cool? They accept it because so and so accepts it. Within certain requirements, which all mentioned are following, of course. 30 second commercial spots cost millions and millions to place because it makes the soda or prescription drug a household name. Doesn’t cost much to buy it.
Scott
November 18, 2017 @ 10:44 am
It’s extremely misguided to think that Sturgill Simpson is having a “cultural impact” on the level of Johnny Cash. I happen to follow country music so I know who he is, but the majority of my friends in major metropolitan areas do not know and, when I’ve tried to introduce, do not care. He is (was?) a big fish in a VERY small pond. And, unfortunately, he’s quickly alienating even that base. If he thinks he’s working on some opus that will win the hearts of some elusive audience he’s hoping to break through to, he might be in for a difficult lesson. Most “hipsters” and music lovers I know, let alone passive music listeners, didn’t give SGTE the time of day and the few that did thought it was cheesy. He did a very good version of classic country on the first few albums because he truly had the genre in him and he is a good lyricist and instrumentalist and he was frustrated with life. But that is an extremely hard genre/image to break out of if he’s thinking of going in another direction. Is he a prodigal musician in the sense that he will spearhead a new “sound” (like Johnny Cash) that will break through to a mainstream audience and place him firmly in the annals of music history? No. Not sure anyone can do that nowadays. I might have thought him capable if he weren’t making such a big deal out of it himself. He’s attempting to create an image of a rogue that bobs and weaves and that you can’t catch and you don’t know where he’s going to go next but that it will be genius when it comes out. I get that, but it’s sad because he’s letting a defensive ego and personality disorder get in the way. If SGTE is any indication, the songs aren’t going to back it up. It is no longer inspired in the way it was at first. Or it’s inspired for the wrong reasons – misguided anger and frustration. Numerous examples show that using misguided anger as a source for musical inspiration will get you maybe two or three good albums in your younger years. The older you get, if you can’t find a genuine source of inspiration to replace it, you start putting out crap. He sensed this and tried to force it with SGTE and… it fell flat. Although he is still a VERY good instrumentalist so maybe he will prove otherwise on the albums to come.
Trigger
November 18, 2017 @ 10:55 am
Scott,
Never said Sturgill is having a cultural impact on the level of Johnny Cash. I simply compared how Cash flaunted his Grammy Awards in the face of the CMAs and the country music industry similar to how Sturgill Simpson did, and made that parallel as the response to a comment, not as an underlying theme to this article. Yes, there are still a lot of people who don’t know who Sturgill Simpson is, but he was nominated for the all-genre Grammy of the Year, so I’m not sure if that is on Sturgill, or the diaspora of today’s American culture where pretty much the biggest artist of any given time is a virtual unknown in the grand scheme. Have you ever heard of Cardi B? Right now she’s bigger than Taylor Swift, and nobody’s heard of her. Unless you have.
Because of politics, folks want to pass judgement on my assessments. I’m not even saying what Sturgill did was right. When it comes specifically to the political stuff, I think it was a wrong way to go about things, and said as much in great detail. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t, and won’t go down in history, just like Johnny Cash kicking out the footlights. To do something historical and impacting, you don’t have to be right, or even popular. You just have to enact some change in the marketplace. That’s what Sturgill did with ‘Metamodern Sounds,” and in my assessment, that’s what this protest will do as well. The fact that so many people hated isn’t a counterbalance to that assessment, it is validation of it. Barely anybody knows who Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark are either, but try to argue against their impact.
Scott
November 18, 2017 @ 12:44 pm
Trigger,
I appreciate your assessments and was responding not so much to pass judgment as to, well, respond. Which I assume is what you want when you post an article with a comments section?
You did compare him to Johnny Cash in some capacity in your comment (which is what I was responding to specifically, not the underlying theme of the article). And you go on to compare his impact to that of Townes van Zandt and Guy Clark. I would go more with a Garth Brooks (maybe Dwight Yoakam) comparison if we have to compare to someone. Why? Because Cash, Van Zandt and Clark all made their impacts by achieving niche status over time at a very specific time in history when the niche styles they were performing were still relatively new and culturally relevant. Over time, the honesty and integrity rang through and it never seemed they were trying to be something else in the hopes of gaining more fame or a bigger audience. Sturgill clearly has other plans, arguably dictated by his ego more than some kind of overarching artistic vision, as much as he would want us to believe otherwise. Time will tell.
And I’m certainly not letting politics form my responses. I don’t have a personal dog in that race. Still doesn’t mean his personal attack against fans is okay or rooted in anything other than misguided lashing out at the people he’s holding responsible for keeping him “trapped” in a genre he seems to want to break out of. Unfortunately, he doesn’t realize it’s not their fault that others aren’t interested in listening to his music. If he put out the first two albums as part of a bigger plot or thinking it would be an easy genre to nail at first, fine. But he did so at the risk of anyone outside of those audiences ever caring that that was his plan all along and/or noticing his later work.
And, yes, I know who Cardi B is. When I comment it’s because I’m trying to shed some light as someone who is not so engrained in the country scene like most readers here, although I do follow it. The CMA show really wasn’t that big of a deal to anyone. Just as the SNL performance hype has since faded with time. If anything it’s all starting to ring as the antics of someone who clearly has ulterior motives career-wise.
Trigger
November 18, 2017 @ 1:46 pm
Hey Scott,
Thanks for your response and your initial comment. Just because I may respond to a comment doesn’t mean I don’t value or invite it. In fact, that’s exactly what I want. I know it’s unusual for authors to respond to comments, but I’ve done this from the start, and I do it to let folks know I am reading what THEY have to say, and I see the value in that as well. However, that doesn’t mean I may not disagree and say so. As I think most readers will attest, the best thing that happens on this website is the comments. The article is just to stimulate the conversation.
Hugh
November 18, 2017 @ 8:07 pm
Well, isn’t this just precious.
Truth5
November 24, 2017 @ 4:06 pm
I find the cash and Simpson comparisons kind of funny. Never cared much for Cash and not crazy about Simpson either. Neither are great vocalists, both overrated, but for some reason people love them for their “brilliant minds and artistry”. Cash isn’t even on Waylon’s level, much less Haggard or Jones. Simpson released one great country album, one good country album, and then a non country album, yet people act like he’s the next Keith Whitley. Give me a fucking break.
Trigger
November 24, 2017 @ 4:19 pm
Once again, I did not compare the careers of Johnny Cash and Sturgill Simpson. This is yt another binary argument made against something I never said. I simply compared the way they both flaunted their Grammy wins in the face of the music industry. If you think they’re both overrated, fair enough. But please don’t mischaracterize my opinions.
Mike W.
November 16, 2017 @ 1:34 pm
I agree with your “2 versions of Country music fans” theory. I never listen to mainstream radio anymore. My commute is relatively short and streaming services (Google Play personally) are so easy to use there is zero incentive for me to listen to terrestrial radio. And as a T-Mobile subscriber, music streaming does not count against my data usage. The only “mainstream” Country artists I pay any attention to anymore is Church, Stapleton, and Brothers Osbourne. The rest I could barely name.
I remember growing up I was able to keep my feet in both the independent/Texas/America and mainstream Country arena. This was because Country radio, while not great, was also not pure garbage as it now is. Strait, Jackson, Yoakam, etc. would all get heavy rotation. I could play a Rodney Crowell or Jack Ingram CD and then turn on the radio and listen to solid, mainstream songs.
You can no longer do that. I’m not old (30) so I am right in Nashville’s target demographic, but mainstream Country music is terrible. It has been terrible for a long time now. It will continue to be terrible. Give me a Cody Jinks playlist on Google Play Music, before I turn on “Hot 101” playing Sam Hunt on a loop.
Of course, one could argue that this splintering of the Country audience is symptomatic of a larger splintering of American culture (Dem vs. Repub, Apple vs. Google, etc.).
Chad
November 16, 2017 @ 1:45 pm
I would agree the split is emblematic of many lines we’re drawing. And I’m glad we’re to a point where radio play isn’t the sole gateway to acclaim/some success.
Hugh
November 16, 2017 @ 9:35 pm
BTW, this from that guy above:
You can no longer do that. I’m not old (30) so I am right in Nashville’s target demographic, but mainstream Country music is terrible. It has been terrible for a long time now. It will continue to be terrible. Give me a Cody Jinks playlist on Google Play Music, before I turn on “Hot 101” playing Sam Hunt on a loop.
Means he’s intrigued because you seem green and he’s telling everyone what he’s planning on doing. Thinks he’s cool country.
Rusty shackelford
November 17, 2017 @ 11:38 am
I’ve loved sturgil from day 1 but I believe he has fallen to liberal propaganda. Like the rest of the ignorant country. Trump isn’t who I’d pick bit better than obama/Hillary=communism.
Chad
November 17, 2017 @ 12:09 pm
I’m part of the Liberal-Industrial Complex® and we had been trying to draw Mr. Simpson to our side since he was in Sunday Valley, as we saw his value as a tool to further our efforts at world domination.
Our Liberal Propaganda® campaign has worked. We’re setting our sights on all the other outlaw country artists you like, too. We won’t rest until all are remade in the image of our Lord and Savior, OBAMA.
jtrpdx
November 17, 2017 @ 3:21 pm
The truth comes out! Those were some good efforts there, Chad. Must have been tough, because we all know that before you sunk your godfersaken liberal teeth into him, he was a dyed-in-the-wool conservative!
10-GEN-NC
November 20, 2017 @ 12:02 pm
LOL
Amy
November 18, 2017 @ 7:56 am
You’ve set your standards incredibly high. Good luck with that.
Gar
November 16, 2017 @ 10:10 am
It’s really not historic at all
Trigger
November 16, 2017 @ 10:25 am
Touche.
Toddo
November 16, 2017 @ 10:13 am
Trig, ur secretly a bag o sheeit
Chris
November 16, 2017 @ 10:15 am
I’m a Sturgill fan but this won’t be remembered 5 years from now…. if he would of been nominated and did that maybe
CountryKnight
November 16, 2017 @ 10:23 am
So someone who considers themself tolerant labeled an entire group by their voting preference?
How tolerant of him.
Trainwreck92
November 16, 2017 @ 3:51 pm
Has Sturgill ever called himself tolerant? I’ve noticed a lot of conservatives use this “How tolerant of so and so” as some sort of checkmate, but as a filthy liberal, I’ve never called my self tolerant. I don’t tolerate racism, sexism, homophobia, or pineapples on my pizza.
Honky
November 16, 2017 @ 9:46 pm
If I ever meet somebody with an irrational fear of homosexuals, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Musiccityman
November 17, 2017 @ 4:50 am
Ignorant fucking bigot here. Sturgill reminds me of early 2000s Ryan Adams. Spoiled, arrogant, and doomed to cult status.
CountryKnight
November 17, 2017 @ 4:11 pm
Just because you consider something racist, sexist or homophobic doesn’t mean it is.
Mike Honcho
November 18, 2017 @ 1:52 pm
You tolerate tyranny, though. You think govt has answers to problems that it has created.
Trainwreck92
November 18, 2017 @ 5:10 pm
If you are anything short of full-on, “dismantle the state” anarchist, then you support some level of tyranny as well. The only difference between most people is where they draw the line on how much tyranny is acceptable
DJ
November 18, 2017 @ 5:34 pm
Not exactly. There are different degrees/levels of anarchist.
Anarchism as a political philosophy advocates self-governed societies based on voluntary institutions. These are often described as stateless societies,[6][7][8][9] although several authors have defined them more specifically as institutions based on non-hierarchical free associations.[10][11][12][13] Anarchism holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, or harmful.[14][15] While anti-statism is central,[16] anarchism entails opposing authority or hierarchical organisation in the conduct of all human relations, including, but not limited to, the state system.[11][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]
There are many types and traditions of anarchism, not all of which are mutually exclusive.[24] Anarchist schools of thought can differ fundamentally, supporting anything from extreme individualism to complete collectivism.[15] Strains of anarchism have been divided into the categories of social and individualist anarchism or similar dual classifications.[25][26] Anarchism is often considered to be a radical left-wing ideology,[27][28] and much of anarchist economics and anarchist legal philosophy reflect anti-statist interpretations of communism, collectivism, syndicalism or participatory economics. Some individualist anarchists are also socialists or communists while some anarcho-communists are also individualists[29][30] or egoists.[31][32]
Anarchism as a social movement has regularly endured fluctuations in popularity. The central tendency of anarchism as a mass social movement has been represented by anarcho-communism and anarcho-syndicalism, with individualist anarchism being primarily a literary phenomenon[33] which nevertheless did influence the bigger currents[34] and individualists also participated in large anarchist organizations.[35][36] Some anarchists oppose all forms of aggression, supporting self-defense or non-violence (anarcho-pacifism),[37][38] while others have supported the use of militant measures, including revolution and propaganda of the deed, on the path to an anarchist society.[39]
Since the 1890s, the term libertarianism has been used as a synonym for anarchism[40][41] and was used almost exclusively in this sense until the 1950s in the United States. At this time, classical liberals in the United States began to describe themselves as libertarians, and it has since become necessary to distinguish their individualist and capitalist philosophy from socialist anarchism. Thus, the former is often referred to as right-wing libertarianism, or simply right-libertarianism, whereas the latter is described by the terms libertarian socialism, socialist libertarianism, left-libertarianism, and left-anarchism.[42][43] Right-libertarians are divided into minarchists and anarcho-capitalists or voluntarists. Outside the English-speaking world, libertarianism generally retains its association with left-wing anarchism.[44]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchy
hoptowntiger94
November 16, 2017 @ 10:25 am
It’s crazy – and you slightly touched on it – that it’s not a moment at all without social media. There were like a dozen folks there listening, while hundreds walked by without even acknowledging Simpson’s existence. I was hoping thousands would have gathered. But without social media, no moment.
Also, it’s strange he chose the CMA’s for this stunt if he’s breaking from country. T. Swift broke and never looked back. He can’t let go.
Stork
November 16, 2017 @ 12:38 pm
I believe the point was that he showed up with a Grammy for country album of the year. Mr. Simpson will always be irrevocably bound to country music because that’s his background and his foundation that all of his other sonic exploration is anchored to. He’s not cutting ties with country, he’s just moving away for awhile. He will be back. Taylor was never invested in the heritage of true country and roots music, nashville was just a means to an end. I don’t think that’s a very good comparison. I believe a better comparison there would be someone like Elvis Presley, who grew up on country and gospel music, fell in love with the blues, jazz, swing, and rockabilly then evolved throughout his career and explored other sonic landscapes. He even made comments much like Sturgill about country being his first love and at the end of the day he was just a country singer.
JD
November 17, 2017 @ 12:02 pm
That is all mostly true. The BIG difference between Simpson and Presley besides the fact that the latter is practically a deity is that he NEVER ONCE told a rather large portion of his audience that they were basically pieces of shit. Otherwise they are exactly the same.
Stork
November 17, 2017 @ 1:54 pm
Can’t argue with that, I was just drawing a parallel. Nor do I think that sturgill will ever have the resounding impact of Elvis. Nobody will. So please don’t misconstrue my statement as saying he’s the next elvis Presley or whatever, just in terms of the openness to other influences.
TheRealBobCephus
November 16, 2017 @ 10:37 am
The haterade is gonna flow on this article, trigger. I
TheRealBobCephus
November 16, 2017 @ 10:38 am
I think it is difficult to understand something’s place in history as it’s happening, but I think we will remember that night. Also, can everyone hold the phone, and realize the dude mapped out a five album opus for us. Who does that? Five consecutive albums that are meant to be a unit. I for one, can’t wait for the next two albums. Also, he said he wants to drop a dope ass bluegrass album at some point. So much cool info in one sitting.
Oyster Boy
November 16, 2017 @ 10:39 am
Yawn, More Sturgill. More political pablum. What happened to Saving Country Music? Done with this blog for a while…I’ll check in a little farther down the line.
Trigger
November 16, 2017 @ 11:05 am
I’ll stop talking about Sturgill when Sturgill stops doing remarkable things worthy of talking about.
As for politics, Saving Country Music has been very expressive about politics since day one, and it is written in the charter of the website. Politics is an acrid element when it is interjected into music unnecessarily, by Sturgill Simpson or anyone else. And the folks who love to hate Sturgill now will completely gloss over the criticism and second guessing of Sturgill’s political incursion included in this article, and will overlook the assessment of impact of Sturgill’s actions as sheer praise. Because politics angers the blood, and obscures the mind from reality. Saving Country Music takes one stance an one stance only when it comes to politics, which is that it should respect the music space, and the ability of music to be a unifier. And in 2017, unfortunately this stance has needed to be reinforced more than ever. But that should never be mischaracterized as an effort to get political. It is the opposite.
Gina
November 17, 2017 @ 11:00 pm
I love Sturgill. I happen to be a Democrat but I’m so tired of hearing about pc culture I could cry. What he did was cool but not earth shattering either. It’s part of his larger badass factor. And for the millionth time, he mentioned Trump and his supporters for like 2 minutes out of 45.
Josh
November 16, 2017 @ 10:45 am
I am a Sturgill and Trump supporter and will remain such. I love what Sturgill did outside the CMAs.
hoptowntiger94
November 16, 2017 @ 11:24 am
I don’t support Trump (but don’t hate him or his supporters). I vote Green party and I love Hank Jr. and Charlie Daniels.
The Smelly Fish
November 16, 2017 @ 11:44 am
cool beans
The Senator
November 16, 2017 @ 12:12 pm
I truly appreciate both Josh and Hoptowntiger’s ecumenical point of view. I listen to many musicians who are politically anathema to me. Yes, when they spout off and make predictably political comments outside their music, it can be irksome. But I will not let politics get in the way of my enjoyment of quality art.
Josh
November 16, 2017 @ 12:47 pm
Well said. I’ve seen Sturgill twice. I knew beforehand of his left leaning political views – ala Voices, Turtles All the Way Down, et al. As a Mormon Conservative I value Sturgill’s rebel attitude more than anything else.
A.K.A. City
November 16, 2017 @ 2:32 pm
Cheers to both Josh and Hoptown Tiger. I appreciate the sentiment. I am a self-described progressive but still admire the work of Hank Williams, Jr. (at least his early work). I respect the ability to enjoy art, even if the artist him or herself may not be someone we are in agreement with.
Joe Doran
November 16, 2017 @ 11:10 am
Historic? Bit early to judge maybe. Let’s see how it rates in 20 years. Still, he’s certainly got people talking. Judging by the comments in subsequent articles here, he’s swiftly become perhaps the most divisive figure in country music which is apt, given the prime cause of this polarisation were his comments about the most divisive US president in my lifetime, and said president’s supporters.
Oh, and what’s the over/under on, say, 300 comments?
FeedThemHogs
November 16, 2017 @ 1:25 pm
I’m taking the under. This isn’t a Midland authenticity debate
Madwolfe
November 16, 2017 @ 8:44 pm
“…given the prime cause of this polarisation were his comments about the most divisive US president in my lifetime, and said president’s supporters.”
When did Sturgill comment on POTUS 44?
Joe Doran
November 17, 2017 @ 12:20 am
I’ve no idea. I’m guessing you’re implying that Obama was a more divisive figure than Trump. If you believe that, my friend, I’m doing a two for one deal on bridges this week. Get ’em while they’re hot!
Madwolfe
November 17, 2017 @ 4:30 am
Perception is reality, I suppose.
Spoony
November 19, 2017 @ 4:28 pm
That was the last president, the “Divider-in-Chief”
Elizabeth
November 16, 2017 @ 11:18 am
Even though I don’t agree with everything said or how he said, it seems obvious that it comes from a place of sincerity and isn’t a calculated publicity stunt. So many mainstream musicians play it safe and let their marketing teams dictate their every move and behavior. Sturgill is true to himself and not afraid to take an unpopular stance – that alone is pretty damn bold these days.
DJ
November 16, 2017 @ 12:02 pm
Bad publicity is better than no publicity. This was a pure (sincere) publicity stunt.
Elizabeth
November 16, 2017 @ 12:08 pm
Yep, he’s just like the Kardashians. Always hungry for more attention from the public.
Elizabeth
November 17, 2017 @ 9:54 am
Sure. A calculated publicity stunt to alienate many current and potential fans. Shrewd.
DJ
November 17, 2017 @ 10:28 am
It worked.
Trigger
November 17, 2017 @ 11:54 am
Exactly. Folks that think Sturgill gained commercially by what he did at the CMA Awards—as at the same time they say they will never listen to his music again—I think are missing the point.
Stringbuzz
November 16, 2017 @ 11:19 am
I think you are right on with this Trig.
The amount of ink he recieved on this is pretty amazing.
i had people at work come up to me saying you listen to that sturgill guy and did u see him…
he is doing what he wants to do everyone else be damned
I also think he feels blessed and lucky
Ajax666
November 16, 2017 @ 11:46 am
Sturgil is a dick. And not even country, anymore.
DJ
November 16, 2017 @ 12:00 pm
LOL…. Sturgill thanks you Trigger for extending his time in this spotlight.
I said it before, and I’ll keep saying it.
I didn’t/don’t like his music. I didn’t/don’t like him. In that order.
His “ignorant” rant did nothing to dissuade me of what I think, or like.
.
This site is where I learned of him, so, I went to you tube to take a listen….not impressed.
Then he goes on SNL. I thought cool, he’s getting a chance to make country music relevant. Fail.
What he did do, and what he’s done this time is seek publicity. Period. Why? Anybody’s guess, but I sense a great sense of insecurity. He has issues like many people, meaning he’s no different. Doesn’t stand out and he can’t stand not standing out and is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means making a fool of himself publicly. Oh, I saw Johnny Cash on TV live acting a fool too, bombed out of his mind, and I’ll always remember it. SS MAY someday worthy of a Johnny Cash analogy, but, he ain’t there at this point in time. His music doesn’t compare. His voice doesn’t compare. He is at this point a wanna be…..what is yet to be determined.
He ain’t country and being born in the south doesn’t qualify him for the label.
Hell, Eddie Rabbit made better music than he does and he was from NJ.
All he was doing was grabbing attention.
Bad publicity is better than no publicity. Really old stunt. And tiresome I might add.
therealbobcephus
November 16, 2017 @ 12:32 pm
“He ain’t country…” Have you listened to high top mountain?
DJ
November 16, 2017 @ 4:27 pm
One song does not a man make. But, in answer to your question. I don’t know. My listening is stated in the above. What I listened to on you tube I didn’t like and even though the songs I listened to seemed to be in a country setting I don’t believe they could be called country music. What I saw from SNL I didn’t like. I don’t consider what I heard on you tube country and what I heard on SNL was lot of noise.
Tom Jones had a release of The Green, Green Grass of Home, but, he’s a pop performer, not a country singer, even though the release was pretty damn good. The point being; a lot of people who weren’t country performers have released country songs at some point or other, but that doesn’t mean they’re country performers. Ray Charles for instance. These 2 just came to mind and I’m sure others can be pointed out.
jtrpdx
November 16, 2017 @ 5:12 pm
High Top Mountain is not a song. So, the real answer is that you have no idea what you are criticizing. It all makes sense now…
DJ
November 16, 2017 @ 6:21 pm
You obviously don’t read well.
From the post you replied to.
in answer to your question. I don’t know. My listening is stated in the above. What I listened to on you tube I didn’t like and even though the songs I listened to seemed to be in a country setting I don’t believe they could be called country music. What I saw from SNL I didn’t like. I don’t consider what I heard on you tube country and what I heard on SNL was lot of noise.
…..
My opinion is my opinion, formed over 50 years (I’ll turn 70 next month) of listening to mostly country music after deciding I didn’t like the pop of the day after having joined the Navy at 17 which gives the doubter of my “credibility” (as though credibility on an opinion message board about something as subjective as musical likes is important to a 70 year old man) the benefit of the doubt since I was listening to country music in Texas honky tonks and beer joints since before most of y’all were even thought of, except Johnny Rivers who I saw at the Whiskey-a-go-go and again when he performed on The USS Yorktown while I was aboard. I could at least understand him. You may not like it, but I assure you your opinion is not going to change mine, and neither is SS’s. And I’m not a Trump supporter but I do find the hypocrisy of BOTH sides “idiotic” and indicative which gives way to political bullshit. Had he been totally honest he would have acknowledged that. But, I still wouldn’t like his music and I’d still say he ain’t country, and I still wouldn’t like him since he comes across as an attention seeking jerk.
Which brings up another point. I see in the scrolling head lines above ABC hit a home run numbers wise, so, his little stunt is another fail, except people keep bringing it up, which he knew would happen which gives him more undeserved attention and gives real country music another black eye.
But hey, bad publicity is better than no publicity especially for those who thrive on publicity stunts like SNL’s stupid performance and the stupid performance at the CMA awards.
Jtrpdx
November 16, 2017 @ 8:20 pm
I understand. I would just caution against judging any artist by a quick listen or a few comments made in a Facebook livestream. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, as we all are.
Truth5
November 24, 2017 @ 4:12 pm
High top mountain is country… metamoder is mostly country as well, but didn’t do much for me. Sailors guide to earth, I don’t know what the hell it was, but damn sure ain’t country.
jtrpdx
November 16, 2017 @ 1:49 pm
You pretty much lost all credibility when you refer to someone who just won a grammy for country album of the year (as voted on by music industry peers) and has had very successful tours in the past few years (even before the grammy and SNL)…..a “wanna be”. Also, you can’t compare him to Johnny Cash. Apples and oranges vocally.
The “he isn’t country” BS is flat out wrong, as pointed out above, but you can go on thinking that, as it doesn’t really matter to Sturgill or anyone else.
DJ
November 16, 2017 @ 4:13 pm
Grammy,schammy. That means 0 to me. What “I” think is important to me. Period. I don’t care what SS, or you, or grammy voters think. Period. He isn’t country. Period. As for credibility, your opinion is your opinion. My opinion is my opinion. Period. To me, my opinion is pretty credible since it encompasses what “I” like. Your opinion about what I should like is meaningless = no credibility to me. You, and SS need to get over yourselves.
jtrpdx
November 16, 2017 @ 5:14 pm
Your opinion appears to be based on a lack of information. How about you start here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp-UW2V5pYw
DJ
November 16, 2017 @ 6:27 pm
After a brief flirtation with disco dance music at the end of the 70’s, Tom Jones moved almost exclusively into the country pop arena for roughly 8 years, mostly while recording for Mercury Records. Actually, country was not a big stretch for Jones, three of his biggest pop hits (Green, Green Grass Of Home, Detroit City, and Say You’ll Stay Until Tomorrow) were all country songs that Jones made successful on the pop charts. Say You’ll Stay… even gave Jones a No 1 hit on the US Country Chart in 1977 at the same time the single was No. 15 on the pop survey.
After the modest success of Jones Darlin album and single at the beginning of the new decade, The Voice relocated (at least for recording purposes) to Nashville and worked closely with many of the genre’s top song writers to gather material that clearky fit a country mold while maintaining some connection to the rock and pop hits of his past decade. Not every track on these albums is a classic, but each of Jones country efforts between 1980-85 included multiple examples of some of the best, albeit simple, mainstream country music in the US market.
Tom Jones Country was the height of the singers brief C&W flirtation, a Top 10 hit on the US Country Album Charts, it also boasted Jones 2nd best selling country single “Touch Me (I’ll Be Your Fool Once More)”, which hit No. 4 on the US Country Singles Charts. A classic 50’s style honky tonk torch song, Jones husky voice and emotive vocal style are well suited to this type of material. Another single, the more pop oriented “Woman’s Touch” again put the singer in the Top 20 on the US Country Singles charts later in the year.
Where Jones sometimes over does it is on the utempo material, sometimes straining to sound a little too country. Not always though, and overall this an enjoyable album from start to finish.
Another Jones album from this era to seek out is Dont Let Our Dreams Die Young, an album that veers more towards the upbeat bmaterial but Jones is polshed as ever and sounds about as authentic as any Nashville born and raised country son would. That set also features two more Jones singles hits “I’Ve Been Rained On Too” and “This Time”, the latter another old school honky tonk ballad that plays to the best of Jones strengths as a performer.
http://www.tomjones.com/discography/tom-jones-country/
Honky
November 16, 2017 @ 7:19 pm
Actually DJ, I think the Johnny Cash analogy is fitting. They have several things in common.
They are both among the most overrated performers in the history of music.
They are/were both political imbeciles, who have about as much business discussing politics, as I have discussing labial tattoo art.
Neither of them can/could sing for crap.
Jtrpdx
November 16, 2017 @ 8:24 pm
The only good / funny part about that comment, Honky, is the fact that you are most likely sitting there in a Midland baby-t and listening to Mo Pitney as you type that.
Ulysses McCaskill
November 17, 2017 @ 2:39 am
Honky doesn’t like outlaw country. He likes the polished Nashville cookie cutter sound. Midland is a group of metrosexuals posing as a country band.
Gina
November 17, 2017 @ 11:26 pm
Honky is the most predictable poster here. Yawn.
DJ
November 17, 2017 @ 7:16 am
LOL…. I’ll give you that.
Truth5
November 24, 2017 @ 4:15 pm
I actually agree with you honky. Think both Sturgill and Cash are overrated.
Marc
November 16, 2017 @ 12:01 pm
Time will tell but with social media “today” is always classic and historic. If people remember the incident but not the music he may go down as John 3:16 the Rainbow man.
Jim Z
November 16, 2017 @ 1:00 pm
someone takes themselves entirely too seriously
If anyone needs me I’ll be the one laughing for the rest of the week
Ulysses McCaskill
November 16, 2017 @ 1:40 pm
Fine article Trigger. He said it himself that if anyone was surprised by his comments or his views they probably weren’t listening very closely to begin with. And if all the Sturgill haters here could quit bringing up his name on other articles’ comment sections that have nothing to do with him, that’d be just dandy. Thanks in advance guys.
A.K.A. City
November 16, 2017 @ 2:48 pm
Thanks for the article, Trigger. I think it is a shame that one flippant comment has overtaken forty-five minutes of pure gold. There was some great information in the segment, and Sturgill took time to speak with and highlight some of his fans that dropped by. I am personally just excited because he answered one of my questions during his broadcast, so I will forever be biased.
This has overcome my music-related social media feeds since the CMAs. It has caused arguments on fan sites of other musicians. It really has been a polarizing moment. I can understand why those who got upset did. And yes, Sturgill could have been more nuanced in his response- but ultimately that is just not him. From what I understand, he actually gained 5,000 Twitter followers that night. So while he may have lost some fans, it seems to be a net positive for him. This reminds me of Jason Isbell saying that he gained more social media followers after releasing The Nashville Sound after being warned that he could lose half his fan base by including “White Man’s World.” Perhaps there is a market for people seeking “alternative voices” and Sturgill is a shrewd business man.
Anyways, I am hoping to see how the last two albums in his five plan album turn out, and then all the fun stuff Sturgill suggested after he finished hammering them out. If anything, he has a knack for getting people talking. However, I do look forward to his name not popping up in the comments of every article on this site.
Chris
November 16, 2017 @ 2:59 pm
“Anybody that’s surprised to hear me say that is going to unfollow me or stop listening to my record was probably not listening that close anyway.”
You got that right, Sturgill, you are fairly low on my list of musical and other priorities.
And I’m not apoplectic that he is going to only release 2 more CD’s.
The guy is talented, for sure, but I don’t want to follow anyone who hates his fans.
Benny Lee
November 16, 2017 @ 3:37 pm
Thanks for waiting a bit and then coming back to this, Trigger. The wait has helped me cool off about the whole thing, and hopefully that’s true for some others here as well.
Sturgill opened himself up to a much bigger audience. And he may have exponentially grown his fan base by appealing to the majority of urban and suburban America with his vehemently stated political posturing AND his admitted exodus from country music. His next album could see him become the greatest Chris Gaines that ever lived.
I agree with his comments about POTUS, but he did go too far by labeling all trump voters. I know a ton of them, and they haven’t changed just because of an election. They just watch too much fox news. He had a chance to unite and chose to divide. And that’s a shame.
As for his music, I’m not a fan of ASGTE. It’s just not my thing. I’ll keep one ear open on the off chance that he’ll return to music that fits my palette, but I’m done holding my breath.
CountryKnight
November 17, 2017 @ 4:23 pm
Trump never had a chance to unite the country because the Left, from the moment he won, refused to do so. Trump offered an olive branch during his victory speech and he was rebuffed. When Obama won, the media was swarmed with the position that the losers had to respect the president and work with him. Trump wins and the media acts like he is about to throw them in prison (something Lincoln did to several writers by the way).
Benny Lee
November 17, 2017 @ 6:35 pm
I was talking about Sturgill having a chance to unite people.
Trump never extended any branches. First he divided the Republican Party and then the entire country. He did it with offensive, hateful speech and threats. And then he filled the WH with white supremacists and appointed billionaires who’ve spent their careers fighting against the very departments they’re now “running”.
Throwing journalists in jail is unacceptable in a free society. Just because it happened in the past doesn’t make it right.
DJ
November 18, 2017 @ 10:32 am
What was the wealth of Obama appointees? Clinton’s? Bush? Carter? Ford? Nixon?
Don’t kid yourself. They are ALL corrupt.
Benny Lee
November 18, 2017 @ 4:32 pm
Not anywhere near as wealthy as trump’s appointees. Of course, that’s the lesser point in that sentence. His education secretary is actively trying to dismantle our public education system. His EPA head is silencing real science. He just appointed a federal judge who has never presided over a case. He’s making millions off the presidency right out in the open, even though it is unconstitutional and impeachable.
I’m sure all those previous presidents were corrupted in some way at some point. It would be naive to think otherwise. But this man has always been corrupt. Revenge is his motivation. Hate is in his heart and on his tongue.
DJ
November 18, 2017 @ 5:59 pm
Benny Lee: Don’t kid yourself. They’re ALL corrupt, and the degree is immaterial.
Your opinion(s) on his appointments are just talking points. Especially about the science. Science isn’t a consensus based on political motivation, and trust me, Al Gore is a political activist who has gotten rich(er) with his nonsense and fear mongering. Just follow the money. I remember when freon was banned. It was putting a hole in the ozone layer. Now we have too much ozone occasionally. Guess whose patent was about to expire on freon?
If indeed what he’s done is impeachable then it will happen, but I recall Nancy Pelosi threatening to impeach Bush, and guess what. It was bullshit just to appease her constituency and help her keep her power, which BTW, she and her husband employed illegals and he is/was a defense contractor or lobbiest, and they acquired their wealth, as most of them have, while in office. As did Obama, Clinton, Reid, et al.
What we’re entrenched in is Crony Capitalism, and BOTH sides in DC are involved. They spew their hate and fear bullshit to divide “We the people” so they can continue to pillage our wealth with unconstitutional laws, making their pillaging legal, and BOTH sides subscribe to the methods. Neither side of the aisle in DC (which ceases to exist once there unless it’s for a sound bite) has done a damn thing to enhance our liberty, or protect it.
They ALL take an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, which BTW, is not alive. An inert piece of paper cannot sustain life. If you believe differently, by all means keep believing it, but please, don’t fool yourself about the corruption factor being heavier on one side than the other. The only difference is the rhetoric they use. Our lives are adversely affected by BOTH sides, not just Republicans or Democrats.
Corncaster
November 16, 2017 @ 4:02 pm
Trig, we just don’t live in a heroic age. Sturgill probably agrees.
Jimmy Row
November 16, 2017 @ 4:10 pm
Sturgill is like that kid on your street who had the GI joe aircraft carrier and never wanted to play with it. He was too busy playing nintendo or some other bullshit
Matt
November 16, 2017 @ 4:36 pm
those of you insulted about his Trump comments, name ONE good thing Trump has done for this country
jtrpdx
November 16, 2017 @ 5:09 pm
Come on, Matt. Just yesterday he lifted the ban on the importation of elephant trophies. If America is ever going to be great again, we need more dead elephants!
Also, just to pre-empt the economy response…..no president has the power to effect the economy or stock market in the short term, beyond blips here and there in the stock market based on policy speculation. The economy and stock market has been on an uptrend years before trump got elected.
Corncaster
November 16, 2017 @ 5:12 pm
uh, no
Trump is a boor, but he knows that the way to change things is to restructure incentives and promote economic competition
I say this in red pill terms, as a Christian anarchist
ShadeGrown
November 16, 2017 @ 6:00 pm
Your mom.
Just kidding! Not a big enough fan to argue politics on this music website. I need some Hank3!
Matt
November 16, 2017 @ 6:01 pm
Yeah probably shouldnt have even said anything
GrantH
November 16, 2017 @ 10:58 pm
He’s done great things for this country, if you’re a conservative constitutionalist. He’s made big moves for the pro-life and religious freedom movements, Obamacare is crumbling, consumer confidence is sky-high, foreign leaders love him (just look at how successful his trip to China was). If you’re a progressive liberal then he’s your worst nightmare though, lol.
Ulysses McCaskill
November 16, 2017 @ 11:18 pm
And if you’re a sensible moderate on the political spectrum, every one of these jokers from both parties are insane. The actually decent ones are blackballed early on in the process.
Joe Doran
November 17, 2017 @ 12:05 am
I wouldn’t mistake the trappings of pageantry for respect, Grant. They know flattery’s the way to his heart. They’ll say nice things about him so he can plump and preen like an overfed pigeon, and then they’ll carry on doing whatever it was they were going to do anyway. It’s quite funny, really. He’d make a much better medieval king than he does a modern president.
DJ
November 17, 2017 @ 7:22 am
What has ANY politician done to enhance our liberty? Their main job is to protect the rights of the individual. The Constitution was penned to protect citizens from an over bearing, tyrannical legal force called gov’t. Trump hasn’t. Obama didn’t. Bush didn’t. Hillary wouldn’t have. In fact, in the last 100 years NO POTUS has done a damn thing to protect citizens civil, or legal liberty.
CountryKnight
November 17, 2017 @ 4:19 pm
He is not Hillary Clinton.
That alone guaranteed my vote.
His tax plan will be great if Congress is smart enough to pass it.
Lunchbox
November 16, 2017 @ 5:51 pm
the answer to the Sunday Valley question is the real story from his weird little hippie protest. i want to know what’s the drama there. he comes off like one them tried to take a run at his missus or something.
Trainwreck92
November 16, 2017 @ 6:12 pm
As much as I loved Sunday Valley (To the Wind and On To Heaven is a top 10, maybe top 5 album for me), I’m perfectly fine with Sturgill not wanting to revisit that music. I just wish he would re-release the album or just put it on Spotify if he doesn’t want to sell it. I bought it on iTunes when it was released and never got around to getting a physical copy and now my iPod is screwed up, so I have no access to the album except through YouTube.
Willie Potter
November 16, 2017 @ 6:12 pm
Trump is a piece of shit.
Sturgill rules.
Adam
November 16, 2017 @ 6:42 pm
I’m done with the guy. I love his music, just not enough to be insulted. Good luck Sturgill.
RD
November 16, 2017 @ 7:21 pm
He looks like a psychopath. I wonder if he’ll be taking some time off to mourn the devastating loss of Lil Peep.
Rob
November 16, 2017 @ 7:42 pm
I’m a Sturgill fan and am not gonna quit listening to his music because of this. I am a conservative, but not a Trump fan (though I definitely would’ve voted him over Hillary). I wish someone else would’ve have been nominated for the Republican Party. But to basically say “fuck you” to your fans who are Trump supporters? That’s not right. Not all Trump supporters are racists and bigots. Completely out of hand by Sturgill. If he has a problem, that is not how you deal with it. I’m still a fan, and I’m looking forward to his next album. Unfortunately I think that he is currently moving away from country music, but whatever music he makes will probably mostly be good. Just let the music speak Sturgill and don’t alienate your fans who support Trump, just because they don’t share your views doesn’t mean they are bad people.
Beast Amongst Human Sheep
November 16, 2017 @ 8:12 pm
It was great publicity for an artist who currently has no new album out, any tour going on, or any other legit reason to be in the public’s eye. Someone knows exactly what they are doing. And Sturgill’s music is cool as hell, but I could care less what he stands for. He is just another hipster artist who’s job is to entertain me. That’s it. His opinion is about as important as mine is. Let me put it this way, I work in an auto shop with 17 people. I am the only one of those people who even knows who Sturgill Simpson is. One day I did over hear a coworker saying something about hearing a cover of “that Nirvana song.” I assumed they heard Sturgill’s cover of “in bloom.” I’m glad he has an opinion, but it is insignificant.
Jtrpdx
November 16, 2017 @ 8:30 pm
I wouldn’t exactly call Sturgill a “hipster”. Veteran, former railroad worker, gun owner, etc etc. He has no interest in following trends, does his own thing.
As a matter of fact, he is the exact oppoosite of hipster.
Ulysses McCaskill
November 16, 2017 @ 11:16 pm
Sturgill Simpson a hipster? Hahahahahahahahahah. Not even close. And his job is not to solely entertain you. He’s an artist making music the way he wants and doing whatever he wants because he’s earned the right to do so.
GrantH
November 16, 2017 @ 11:00 pm
It’s cool that he’s speaking his mind and all, but seriously, he’s just not that impressive, to me at least. Is he really worthy of all this ass-kissing, Trigger?
JohnS
November 17, 2017 @ 3:13 am
Honestly, I feel Sturgill made a mistake to insult a portion of fanbase. I already wasn’t a big fan of his latest record, and I don’t personally like the direction he claims to be going musically. I don’t think I should hate him though. People like him and his music. And just like the rest of us, he’ll get what comes to him whether it’s good or bad. Yeah, I do support the President of the US, but no, I don’t see that as a reason to not hear his music. I listen to sad and mopey music at times, but it doesn’t mean that I necessarily feel that way. Oh well, I more or less am insulted with him calling me ignorant when I’m very much educated on both political sides, but it really isn’t my business in regards to how he feels about people like me.
AC_86
November 17, 2017 @ 3:29 am
Awesome article Trig! Really superb. Sturgill is a legend.
RD
November 17, 2017 @ 6:55 am
I guess a legend and an out-of-work bum look a lot a like.
Beast Amongst Human Sheep
November 17, 2017 @ 5:51 am
Yup, I called Sturgill a hipster. Just like his buddies Margo and Tyler. Don’t be foolish. You are being sold an image. And that is certainly okay. Just know what it is. Fantasyland is fun and all, but get real. I know you want Sturgill to be some working class hero, and that is a real cute thought and all, but he is just a musican. Working for the railroad for a few years dose not make you some blue collar lifer. Fire away sheep!
Scott
November 17, 2017 @ 7:28 am
You have every right to hold that shitty opinion.
Eric Hart
November 17, 2017 @ 7:44 am
Just a musician? You are no beast. You are a clown.
jtrpdx
November 17, 2017 @ 9:53 am
You need to spend some time with actual hipsters before you spout off on the subject. You are completely wrong, but at the end of the day, even if they are “hipsters” by your twisted definition…who really cares?
Trainwreck92
November 17, 2017 @ 3:49 pm
I gotta know, Beast, what do you consider a hipster? Is anyone that doesn’t work a blue collar job a hipster? If so, then virtually any musician whose sole occupation is making music is a hipster.
Ulysses McCaskill
November 18, 2017 @ 4:44 am
Somehow you found a way to trash Margo Price and Tyler Childers as well. Wow buddy. Great job.
Eric Hart
November 17, 2017 @ 7:46 am
Sturgill doesn’t give 1 F if the bigots who are still supporting that orange shitstain change. They are a lost cause. And Trigger sounds like one also.
Trigger
November 17, 2017 @ 8:45 am
But wait, I thought I was a piece of shit for waiting such a “ass-kissing” piece for Sturgill. How can it be both?
🙂
DJ
November 18, 2017 @ 6:03 pm
LOL…. good call.
WD
November 17, 2017 @ 8:51 am
Sturgill is a force of nature. Pure and simple. Hate him if you want to. But if you ignore him I think your missing out. To me he’s a fascinating dude and I can’t wait to hear what he does next.
Cameron
November 17, 2017 @ 9:03 am
I was disappointed with the lack of intelligence and maturity displayed by sturgill. For someone who writes such intelligent music he sounded like a complete dumbass during his rant. I can only think this was a poorly thought out publicity stunt on which to pivot his career. He also looked wasted so maybe that contributed to how fucking dumb he sounded.
GW Parker
November 17, 2017 @ 9:04 am
Fact is: Country music execs couldn’t care less as long as their stacks of money grow taller.
But the notion that Simpson is some sort of fulcrum for the future of country music is a specious argument. Regardless of whether you like traditional music, bluegrass or Americana, the dead-last thing an artist wants to do in the over(t)ly politicized environment of today is to become your own self-destructor and cut off your nose to spite your face (when you are trying to grow your audience). When it is said “they probably weren’t listening in the first place” is telling. Because now, open-minded people who are drifting away from radio pop-“country” might see him as a self-aggrandizing choad. Speaking through one’s music is a faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar better way to connect with people instead of potentially alienating 40-percent of the public who might be thrilled with your product (like me). i always have advised my conservative friends that you have to be willing to talk to people — not to mention able — and immediately casting them aside for politics is silly. Not monetarily, mind you, because i highly doubt Sturgill gives a rat’s ass about that, but knowing that there are people who want real music? THAT is the heart of the matter, and it is sad that people otherwise-inclined will probably cast him aside as a buffoon the way they did John Mellencamp when he became absorbed by politics. “If you hate me, then dammit, I hate you” seems to be the potential difficulty with this tack.
albert
November 17, 2017 @ 9:15 am
the whole ‘rebel’ …screw ‘the man’ stuff is tiring and taxing creatively .
i get that a ‘ rebel’ or pseudo-rebel stance may appeal to rebel wannabes but none of that really has anything to do with being artistically/musically redeeming in the end . It simply serves to push buttons looking to be pushed and alienates the ones that aren’t .
let the art be the voice .Or run for election somewhere ..
Stork
November 17, 2017 @ 9:17 am
I have to make a comment here about all of this discourse…
I went to a suburban high school outside of nashville. My parents are successful blue collar folks who worked hard and built a business from VERY humble beginnings to the upper side of middle class. I say this not to brag, but to say that most everyone I went to school with was considered at least somewhat well-off. Not Brentwood and certainly not private school loaded, but people in my hometown were comfortable.
I grew up hunting, fishing, working on a farm, and doing all of the things that one would consider “country”. I ran around with the kids that drove big trucks and wore boots, leaning more towards the redneck side for sure. But we all, myself included, we’re suburban kids.I was acutely aware of this and never claimed any bogus country cred because it simply wasn’t who I was. I was very active in the FFA at a local, state, and national level and I KNEW kids that were country from all walks of life, from rural west virginians to Oklahoman cattle ranchers. We were not “country”, we were southern to the core but not “country” per-se.
Which brings me to this comment section. I remember very frequently while hanging out in parking lots or at field parties people just like myself calling others out just like themselves with something along the lines of “you ain’t even really country, you’re just a poser,…” etcetera etcetera.
I ALWAYS thought who the hell cares about that? These kids all lived in subdivisions, yet loved calling each other out for country cred. I have a needy, obsessive infatuation with country music, I love 4×4’s, I hunt, fish, and do all of these other things but I also know where I come from. All of that finger pointing is just toxic masculinity and bravado manifesting itself in the form of hypocritical authenticity accusations. I always found it to be hilarious.
Sorry for the rant, but that’s what this whole comment section reminds me of. “He ain’t country!” What the hell does that even mean? It just sounds childish and close minded. “He explored other musical interests and worst of all a LIBERAL!”
Ridiculous.
DJ
November 17, 2017 @ 10:37 am
With the exception of one record (IMO gained from 50 years of listening) his music isn’t country, no more than Tom Jones is country, but, Tom Jones (and others) have made some good country music. That to me = he ain’t country.
Whiskey_Pete
November 17, 2017 @ 10:52 am
Fuck no. Not even close.
Protesting against the bullshit Vietnam war (So many interventionist wars) and being forced to serve and die (form of slavery if you ask me) because you were not rich is not the same as the hysteria that has taken over far-left politics on President Trump. I understand that certain people are not accustom to a harsh tone and off the cuff personality from a modern day President but that doesn’t mean he is a psychopath or Hitler/Stalin. That’s just such an overreaction and it’s ridiculous.
The far-left are always looking for the new “civil rights fight” such as transgender and immigration “rights.” Sorry, not the same and there was only one civil rights fight and that was with oppression of black Americans. They didn’t have choice to be black. You have a choice whether to immigrate legally or illegal and you have a choice whether or not chop off your cock, implant artificial breasts, and put on lipstick.
You guys are like parrots repeating everything the liberal talking heads say. This is why S.S. just annoys me. I initially thought he was libertarian and that would have been pretty outlaw to me since it rejects the extreme ideas/beliefs on the far left and far right.
Not a hero. Just an asshole that suffers from grandiose delusions.
jtrpdx
November 17, 2017 @ 12:11 pm
I think you are taking liberties with jumping to conclusions about Sturgill’s overall political beliefs based on a few off the cuff comments during a facebook livestream. Nothing he said necessarily puts him in any “far left” category or makes him a “liberal talking head”. You can be in the center, on the left, or on the right, and still think trump is a complete fool and bigoted. There is a lot of that going on these days, even if it is a little drastic in most cases. Also, there are people from all sides of the political spectrum who support the ACLU.
Bottom line is that his few political comments during the spontaneous facebook livestream which involved him taking questions from fans (the trump question was from a fan) have gotten blown way out of proportion.
Ulysses McCaskill
November 18, 2017 @ 4:41 am
Pete, criticizing Trump does not make you a “liberal talking head”. You sound like the retards on Breitbart that call anyone who disagrees with them on any issue at all a communist. Doesn’t matter if you tell them you’re largely conservative, they just don’t care. And honestly, I don’t think Sturgill gives a fuck that you don’t like him.
Charlie
November 17, 2017 @ 2:08 pm
Took longer to unpack it than to pack it! Whew!
Usually it’s the other way around–but I guess it is harder to put the cat back in the bag.
JB-Chicago
November 17, 2017 @ 3:04 pm
All I know is I was one of the guys who always said on here that he was over rated, wasn’t Country and was sick of watching and listening to most of you kiss his ass like he was musically changing the world with 3 albums. After watching that 45 minutes of him actually doing something ground breaking he won over my respect enough to go back and try and hear and see what you guys that love him do. So for that I’m thankful.
jtrpdx
November 17, 2017 @ 4:22 pm
Here is a pretty cool video (video is better than the audio). How about that 10 minute opening jam……should be a good orange snowflake melter, just like Sturgill’s trump comments!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRn0vFyQoCU
Pauline T.
November 17, 2017 @ 5:24 pm
Holy fucking smokes! Damn, I loved every second of this. Trump voters can cry all they want about how badly Sturgill hurt their fee-fees, others can parrot the old litany of “whataboutisms,” or pretend that their rugged individualism somehow elevates them above the whole mess, or even fall over themselves in worship of him, but absolutely none of it affects the music.
Great stuff, thanks for the link!
Jtrpdx
November 17, 2017 @ 9:05 pm
Yes. This short tour was all about doing something a little different, and that he did. Some people are too shallow to get that and see how cool it was. Not surprising these days, unfortunately.
Jtrpdx
November 17, 2017 @ 10:35 pm
Just watched part of it again with better speakers. The audio is actually pretty good. What a band….especially Chuck Bartels on bass. Absolute badass.
Ulysses McCaskill
November 18, 2017 @ 4:47 am
Here’s some badass Sturgillness for ya’ll to check out if you ain’t seen it. He hasn’t given a single fuck for a long time. He ain’t gonna start now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u55C_cxxtcQ
Waymore38
November 18, 2017 @ 7:17 am
I find it ironic that a guy who has a line in one of songs that says “bullshit on the tv, bullshit on the radio”, still believes the MSM BS they spew on a daily basis. Insulting half of your fan base about their political opinion isn’t a good business model going forward.
Jtrpdx
November 18, 2017 @ 7:31 pm
What makes you think Sturgill “believes” or even watches mainstream media?
cory
November 19, 2017 @ 9:33 pm
Remember when his “flannel shirt/beard motherfuckers” comment.