in news that surprises no one, Kentuckian Sturgill Simpson has signed to a major label.
Coming off the biggest year of his career Simpson rode a huge wave of critical accolades and year-end lists for his sophomore LP ‘Metamodern Sounds In Country Music’ (including making our #1 position) a growing fanbase spread the word and grew hungrier for his neo-traditional style of country music.
Now on top of being nominated for a Grammy for the Americana Album of the Year (which he should win) and being added to some of the biggest music festivals — Coachella, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Stagecoach,, Governors Ball and Bonnaroo, Simpson confirmed via Facebook last night that he’s joined the Atlantic Records roster. The same label where Willie Nelson found refuge from Nashville label intrusion and current label for Zac Brown Band and Seasick Steve.
Big labels like taking on as close to a sure thing as can be had in these tumultuous time in the music industry. Several labels had been reported to be courting Simpson, but he signed with the one that allowed him the greatest control over his career. If this works out it could be a huge turning point for roots and Americana acts being signed to equally beneficial deals.
Simpson is either currently, or soon to be in a Nashville’s Sound Emporium studio working on this third solo release with producer Dave Cobb.
Hat tip to Saving Country Music for the original post.