Johnny Blue Skies continues to reward physical media fanatics.
The artist formerly known as Sturgill Simpson is still riding high off the release of Mutiny After Midnight. His second album underneath the new JBS moniker was a funky, disco country record, and it was originally only available via physical media (vinyl, CDs, cassettes).
It’s since become available digitally – if you still use iTunes – but it’s still absent from any streaming sites.
Though you’d think that would have affected the album’s performance, it hasn’t. Johnny Blue Skies shared that the unique rollout of his latest album led to the biggest “first week” of any project of his career. Which is wild, because it really just came through an organic, grass roots movement. No interviews. No performances. Nothing extra… just a whole lot of memes posted through social media.
It’s really been a masterclass of unique marketing from Sturgill and his team. They’ve perfectly handled every step of the release and post-release process, and even rolled out a special edition vinyl for Record Store Day this past weekend. The official Instagram account shared pictures of the artwork that graced the 7″ “Castaways” vinyl, and if you look closely, two of JBS’s set list staples are included.
“Whiter Shade of Pale” and “You Don’t Miss Your Water.”
The album art – on both the main release and this special RSD release – has been a Chef’s kiss.
Both songs are covers that were featured prominently in Sturgill’s Why Not? Tour. “Whiter Shade of Pale” was originally released by Procol Harum in 1966, and “You Don’t Miss Your Water” came out in 1961 thanks to a soul artist named William Bell. The pair of songs fall very comfortably into Sturgill Simpson’s/Johnny Blue Skies’ wheelhouse, as you can see in the live performances below:
“Whiter Shade Of Pale”
“You Don’t Miss Your Water”
If you don’t go out to your local record store to try and track down this limited edition vinyl (there were only 3000 made), then you can scan the Mutiny For The Masses Tour dates and see if Johnny Blue Skies and the Dark Clouds are coming to a town near you.
There’s a good chance at least one of those above songs will be in the setlist.
Mutiny For The Masses Tour Dates
Sep 4 -Austin, TX -Moody Center
Sep 6 -Rio Rancho, NM -Rio Rancho Events Center
Sep 8 -Glendale, AZ -Desert Diamond Arena
Sep 9 -Santa Barbara, CA -Santa Barbara Bowl
Sep 11 -Inglewood, CA -Kia Forum
Sep 13 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
Sep 15 – Berkeley, CA – The Greek Theatre
Sep 18 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Sep 19 – Vancouver, BC – Pacific Coliseum
Sep 21 – Eugene, OR – Matthew Knight Arena
Sep 23 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Sep 26 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Sep 27 – St. Paul, MN – Grand Casino Arena
Sep 29 -Chicago, IL – United Center
Oct 2 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Oct 3 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Oct 6 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
Oct 7 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
Oct 9 – Pittsburgh, PA – Petersen Events Center
Oct 10 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Oct 13 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Oct 15 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena
Oct 16 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Oct 18 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
Oct 21 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
Oct 23 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium
Oct 25 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Oct 27 – New Orleans, LA – Lakefront Arena
Oct 30 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
