Acclaimed musician Sturgill Simpson is set to make a triumphant return to the music scene with an extensive fall tour and a highly anticipated new album as Johnny Blue Skies. The tour includes a stop at the Walmart AMP on Wednesday, October 9, as part of the Cox Concert Series. Gates will open at 7 pm, with music starting at 8 pm.

 

Simpson, who had previously vowed to release only five studio albums under his name, is embarking on a new musical journey with the moniker Johnny Blue Skies. His new album, “Passage Du Desir,” will release July 12 under his own independent label, High Top Mountain Records. 

 

The album features eight tracks produced by Johnny Blue Skies and David Ferguson, recorded at Clement House Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, and Abbey Road Studios in London, England.

 

Simpson’s fall tour, titled the “Why Not? Tour,” marks his first full tour in over four years. In addition to headlining sets at Outside Lands and Austin City Limits Music Festival, Simpson will be joined on the road by his band: Kevin Black on bass, Robbie Crowell on keys, Laur Joamets on guitar and Miles Miller on drums.

 

This new album comes on the heels of the tenth-anniversary reissue of “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.” Originally released on May 13, 2014, the album signified a major breakthrough for Simpson and a transformative moment in the country music genre.

 

Since his debut, Simpson has released five full-length studio albums: “High Top Mountain” (2013), “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music” (2014), “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth” (2016), “Sound & Fury” (2019) and “The Ballad of Dood and Juanita” (2021), along with the 2020 projects, “Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1” and “Vol. 2.” 

 

Simpson has earned a Grammy Award in 2017 for Best Country Album and six Grammy nominations across country, rock, bluegrass and Americana genres.

 

Beyond his music career, Simpson has also ventured into acting, with roles in “The Dead Don’t Die,” “Queen & Slim,” “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “The Righteous Gemstones.”

 

Fans and music enthusiasts alike are eagerly anticipating Sturgill Simpson’s return to the stage and his new creative chapter as Johnny Blue Skies. For more information on tour dates and ticket sales, visit sturgillsimpsonlive.com.