Sturgill Simpson “Sharecropper’s Son” Live at The Ryman

March 2020 as he was mid tour the world came to a halt, this would change how live music was heard for years to come. Shortly after this break began, Sturgill Simpson decided to assemble an All Star Bluegrass Band and cut a few records: “Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 & 2”. The group was comprised of producer David “Ferg” Ferguson, Sierra Hull (mandolin), Mike Bub (bass), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Scott Vestal (banjo), Tim O’Brien (guitar), Mark Howard (guitar) and Miles Miller (percussion). In an effort to raise money for Covid-19 Victims and those harmed by the Nashville tornado, Sturgill decided to launch an epic merch campaign and promised if enough money was raised they would play a show for the world. In a quick month the goal was exceeded and on came Cuttin’ Grass live from the Ryman being streamed to the whole world although hardly a soul filled the physical pews that night. • Simpson was born and raised in Kentucky, so it’s safe to say Bluegrass is in his blood. In the opening remarks of this project he stated that, “This album started in third grade.” In a 2021 interview with Relix, Stu shared some insight on his grandfather “Ora” being somewhat of a Bluegrass freak. “He played a little mandolin and, after he retired, he’d travel around to bluegrass festivals in his motor home and make field recordings. He just lived and ate and breathed it, and every time he’d come to visit, he’d try to shove it down my throat. My palate wasn’t ready to absorb it at the time. But, he would still sit me down and play me cassette tapes of live bluegrass. One night in my room, when he could sense me rejecting what I was hearing, he looked at me directly and said, ‘One day, it’s gonna get in ya, and it’ll never get out’”. Like most of us who have been bitten by the Bluegrass bug, no matter how far you stray away you always come back around to it! • #bluegrass #sturgillsimpson #ryman #nashville #livemusic