It’s been a minute…
Since the release of his critically acclaimed The Ballad Of Dood & Juanita album in 2021, Sturgill Simpson has been relatively quiet. Mostly due to the fact that he has been rehabbing the pipes after a vocal cord rupture, but nevertheless, Stu is back in the spotlight… and that’s always a good thing.
He resurfaced as Johnny Blue Skies on Diplo’s new country/pop crossover project, Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 — Swamp Savant… which actually rips, by the way. It’s not a country record by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s the kind of pop music I dig, featuring some of the country acts that I love on the vocals.
However last night, Sturgill graced the stage once again (for the first time since his vocal cord rupture to my knowledge) to celebrate Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday.
The two-day event at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, features a star-studded lineup including the likes of Tyler Childers, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Willie’s sons Lukas and Micah, Chris Stapleton, Snoop Dogg and many, many more.
Sturgill kicked off his performance with some of his signature commentary, always sure to garner a ton of laughs and applause:
“There’s only one reason I’m not on a beach in South Asia right now and because it’s Willie Nelson’s birthday.”
And then went on to offer some heartfelt praise for the country music legend and pioneer:
“I’m gonna take a minute to say something that I’ve never had the courage to say to his face, and that is that there is only one reason that I ever went to Nashville to make country records and that’s because I grew up listening to country records made by Willie Nelson.
And I wanted to make country records that were outside of the box of what most people think country records can be. I only signed a record deal with Atlantic Records because Willie Nelson made those records on Atlantic. That didn’t work out too good for me, but everything else did thanks to you guys.
I’m gonna sing a song written by a guy named Steve Fromholz that Willie recorded, and this is one of those songs that always resonated so strong with me, I feel like I could’ve written it, it pertained to my life so much.”
He went on to perform “I’d Have To Be Crazy,” which was recorded by Willie for his 1976 record, The Sound In Your Mind.
Sturgill also recorded the song for his debut solo album, High Top Mountain.
Here’s to the GOAT… the great Willie Nelson. Happy 90th, Willie.
Sturgill’s studio version:
And how about the original from Shotgun Willie, himself:
Willie Nelson Announces New Dates For 2023 ‘Outlaw Music Festival’ Tour
On the road again…
The living legend Willie Nelson announced that he’s adding a slew of new dates to his 2023 Outlaw Music Festival tour, which is slated to kickoff in June. The new shows include openers such as Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring the Wolfpack, The Avett Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gov’t Mule and many more.
Willie says he can’t wait to continue his 90th birthday celebration with such incredible shows this fall:
“I am so thrilled to announce these additional dates for our 2023 Outlaw Music Festival Tour.’
I can’t wait to keep the celebration of my 90th birthday going into the fall with this great lineup of artists, my friends and family, and of course, the amazing fans.”
Willie also released his 98th career studio album I Don’t Know A Thing About Love at the beginning of March, and it’s pretty damn incredible that he just keeps going the way he does at his age… really, it’s the stuff of legends, so I guess we shouldn’t really be all that surprised, though that doesn’t make it any less impressive.
And it goes without saying, but seeing the red headed stranger live in any capacity is a bucket list show for sure, so take a look and see if he’ll be making a stop anywhere near you on this run.
You can check out the previously announced dates and lineups HERE, and all new dates are listed below.
Friday, September 8, 2023
Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Willie Nelson & Family
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The String Cheese Incident
Los Lobos
Particle Kid
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Willie Nelson & Family
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The String Cheese Incident
Particle Kid
More TBA
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
Particle Kid
More TBA
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
Particle Kid
Friday, September 15, 2023
Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
The String Cheese Incident
Los Lobos
Particle Kid
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
The String Cheese Incident
Los Lobos
Particle Kid
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Forest Hills, NY – Forest Hills Stadium
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
The String Cheese Incident
Los Lobos
Particle Kid
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
Particle Kid
Friday, September 22, 2023
Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Willie Nelson & Family
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. featuring The Wolfpack
The String Cheese Incident
Particle Kid
Friday, October 6, 2023
West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Gov’t Mule
Elizabeth Cook
Particle Kid
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Gov’t Mule
Elizabeth Cook
Particle Kid
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Gov’t Mule
Elizabeth Cook
Particle Kid
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Particle Kid
Friday, October 13, 2023
Brandon, MS – The Brandon Amphitheater
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Elizabeth Cook
Particle Kid
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Southaven, MS – BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Elizabeth Cook
Particle Kid
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
Willie Nelson & Family
The Avett Brothers
Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Elizabeth Cook
Particle Kid
Let’s cue it up…
