{"title":"Sturgill Simpson","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Sturgill Simpson\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJohn Sturgill Simpson was born in Jackson, Kentucky on June 8, 1978. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1996-1999. He launched his recording career in the early 2010s as the frontman of the Sunday Valley band before launching his solo career. He is widely cited as one of the most important contemporary country and Americana figures. His 2014 album Metamodern Sounds in Country Music - borrowing the title from Ray Charles's foundational 1962 Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music - established his commercial breakthrough. His 2016 follow-up A Sailor's Guide to Earth - a conceptual album structured as advice to his newborn son - won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album in 2017 and was nominated for Album of the Year (the first country album nominated for Album of the Year in decades). His 2020 paired Cuttin' Grass volumes established his bluegrass capability. He launched a Johnny Blue Skies pseudonym project with Passage du Desir (2024), his creative independence from country music industry constraints. His foundational influence on contemporary country and Americana is widely cited.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSturgill Simpson's sound combines country, outlaw country, contemporary country, country rock, Americana, bluegrass, soul-country, and psychedelic country with his distinctive vocal delivery (use of Waylon Jennings-influenced phrasing), virtuosic compositional approaches, and varied compositional approaches drawing on classic 1970s outlaw country alongside soul and unconventional country influences.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh Top Mountain (2013, High Top Mountain)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetamodern Sounds in Country Music (2014, High Top Mountain\/Loose Music)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Sailor's Guide to Earth (2016, Atlantic) - Best Country Album Grammy 2017\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSound \u0026amp; Fury (2019, Elektra)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCuttin' Grass: Vol. 1 (The Butcher Shoppe Sessions) (2020, High Top Mountain)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCuttin' Grass: Vol. 2 (Cowboy Arms Sessions) (2020, High Top Mountain)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Ballad of Dood and Juanita (2021, High Top Mountain)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePassage du Desir (2024, High Top Mountain) - as Johnny Blue Skies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh Top Mountain, Loose Music, Atlantic Records, and Elektra Records pressings of the Sturgill Simpson catalog have been issued in multiple color variant editions and limited deluxe pressings, with collector demand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Sturgill Simpson typically start with Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (2014) or A Sailor's Guide to Earth (2016). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/country-vinyl-records\"\u003eCountry\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"johnny-blue-skies-mutiny-after-midnight-cd","title":"Mutiny after Midnight CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe latest move in a career that will continue to defy industry stereotypes through a catalog of songs built on poetic songwriting and constant evolution.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540746318007,"sku":"210000103308","price":15.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4494796-3532383.jpg?v=1781154108"},{"product_id":"sturgill-simpson-sound-fury-vinyl","title":"Sound \u0026 Fury LP","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"A sleazy, steamy rock 'n' roll record\" - Simpson. The psychotic \"soundtrack\" that accompanies Simpson's rock anime of the same name. Best thing Neil Young never did!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540891054263,"sku":"210000051461","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/sturgil.jpg?v=1781154621"},{"product_id":"johnny-blue-skies-mutiny-after-midnight-vinyl","title":"Mutiny After Midnight LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe latest move in a career that will continue to defy industry stereotypes through a catalog of songs built on poetic songwriting and constant evolution.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540906946743,"sku":"210000103305","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4494797-3532385.jpg?v=1781154679"},{"product_id":"sturgill-simpson-a-sailor-s-guide-to-earth-vinyl-180g-rhino-reserve","title":"A Sailor's Guide to Earth LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Sailor's Guide to Earth is the third studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540983754935,"sku":"210000102458","price":34.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/sturg.jpg?v=1781154961"},{"product_id":"johnny-blue-skies-mutiny-after-midnight-ultra-clear-vinyl","title":"Mutiny After Midnight LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis \"Johnny Clear Skies\" comes on clear vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540995551415,"sku":"210000104868","price":36.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/jbsclear.png?v=1781155009"},{"product_id":"sturgill-simpson-cuttin-grass-vol-1-cd","title":"Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 1 CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eExperience Sturgill Simpson's unique spin on his classics with \"Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 1,\" featuring bluegrass renditions of fan favorites like \"All Around You\" and \"Railroad of Sin.\" Released in 2020 by High Top Mountain, this CD showcases Simpson's exceptional artistry through a fresh, acoustic lens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48772768628919,"sku":"210000053919","price":12.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/3873293-2627786.jpg?v=1782828161"},{"product_id":"sturgill-simpson-the-ballad-of-dood-juanita-cd","title":"The Ballad of Dood \u0026 Juanita CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eSturgill Simpson's \"The Ballad of Dood \u0026amp; Juanita\" navigates the precarious territory where romantic whimsy collides with haunting nostalgia, all while weaving a Civil War tale that feels strangely relevant. Created in just a week, the album exudes a sincerity that verges on farce, an effect magnified by the presence of Willie Nelson. Simpson deftly juxtaposes redemption with revenge, prompting a sharp query: is love a heroic pursuit or merely the recurring tragedy of American lore?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785639047351,"sku":"210000061887","price":10.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/3994905-3167157.jpg?v=1783045517"},{"product_id":"johnny-blue-skies-mutiny-after-midnight-red-vinyl","title":"Mutiny After Midnight LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe latest move in a career that will continue to defy industry stereotypes through a catalog of songs built on poetic songwriting, constant evolution.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785926062263,"sku":"210000103293","price":49.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4494798-3532386.jpg?v=1783046308"},{"product_id":"sturgill-simpson-the-ballad-of-dood-juanita-natural-vinyl","title":"The Ballad of Dood \u0026 Juanita LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eDELAYED 2\/25\/22 the shapeshifting country musician returns with a bluegrass concept album about love among the legends of the Kentucky frontier.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48860511994039,"sku":"210000061118","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/dood.jpg?v=1783653973"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/sturgill-simpson.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}