Music News & Reviews

Sturgill Simpson announces new album, new name, new tour that includes a stop at Rupp

Kentucky singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson, who made big waves a few years ago then virtually disappeared from the musical landscape, is back.

On June 5, Simpson announced a new name, a new album and a new tour, which will play at Rupp Arena in Sept. 27.

Simpson, who promised to release only five studio albums under his own name, will be going by Johnny Blue Skies now, according to a news release.

Kentucky country singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson announced a new name, Johnny Blue Skies, and new album and tour.
Kentucky country singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson announced a new name, Johnny Blue Skies, and new album and tour. Provided

Get Sturgill Simpson tickets for Rupp Arena

Tickets for the 28-date tour go on sale next week. Fans can register for pre-sale now through June 10 at sturgillsimpsonlive.com to receive early access to tickets starting at 10 a.m. local time on June 12.

A limited number of tickets will be available for general on-sale at 10 a.m. local time on June 14 at the same website, while supplies last.

Johnny Blue Skies album and tour

The tour will be called the “Why Not? Tour” and comes as Simpson releases a new album, under the name Johnny Blue Skies. The album, “Passage Du Desire” will be released July 12 on Simpson’s independent label, High Top Mountain Records.

Sturgill Simpson’s new album, “Passage du Desir,” will be released in July under the name Johnny Blue Skies.
Sturgill Simpson’s new album, “Passage du Desir,” will be released in July under the name Johnny Blue Skies. Provided

The album of eight songs was produced by Johnny Blue Skies and David Ferguson and recorded at Clement House Recording Studio in Nashville and at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Last month, Simpson reissued a tenth-anniversary release of his landmark album “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music,” which was nominated for a 2015 Grammy for Best Americana Album. His other albums include “High Top Mountain,” “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth,” “Sound & Fury,” “The Ballad of Dood and Juanita” and more.

Sturgill Simpson performs at Willie: Life & Songs Of An American Outlaw at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday, January 12, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Al Wagner/Invision/AP)
Sturgill Simpson performs at Willie: Life & Songs Of An American Outlaw at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday, January 12, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Al Wagner/Invision/AP) Al Wagner Al Wagner/Invision/AP

Simpson also has appeared in several films, including “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “The Righteous Gemstones.”

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This story was originally published June 5, 2024 at 9:57 AM.

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Janet Patton
Lexington Herald-Leader
Janet Patton covers restaurants, bars, food and bourbon for the Herald-Leader. She is an award-winning business reporter who also has covered agriculture, gambling, horses and hemp. Support my work with a digital subscription
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