Sturgill Simpson Shares Profound Advice for Aspiring Country Artists and the Importance of True Character in Their Voice

Sturgill Simpson is one of the most celebrated artists in country music. Since releasing his debut album in 2013, he has built a massive and passionate fanbase. However, Simpson didn’t just pull his style out of thin air. He looked to the greats that came before him for inspiration. Artists like Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Marty Robbins helped lead him to the music he makes today. He spent years learning from their recordings. Now, he’s in a position to inspire a new generation.

Recently, Simpson and legendary producer David “Fergie” Ferguson appeared on Guitar Moves to talk about Passage Du Desir and more. During the conversation, Simpson shared some advice for young people looking to make country music.

[RELATED: Sturgill Simpson Reveals the Fan-Favorite Song He Regrets Writing]

Sturgill Simpson Shares Advice for Aspiring Country Artists

First, Sturgill Simpson gave some solid advice to those who want to be country guitarists. “If you want to be a great, melodic, country guitar player, as a young kid I would say go buy all the old Merle Haggard records and listen to Roy Nichols,” Simpson said. “Because he was a tasty sumb-tch.”

Then, he gave advice to those who want to be country singers. “If you want to sing country and really sing, by definition, country music you have to sing. It’s not blues, it’s not R&B, it’s not vocal acrobat ‘look what I can do.’ You’ve got to hold that note or turn one syllable into 16,” he said. “Listen to George Jones, listen to Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins, and the way they’re singing. If you’re singing, your voice is the instrument and it’s not about tricks or look what I can do,” he added. “You don’t have to be a great singer. You’ve just got to mean it.”

Then, Simpson asked Ferguson “What makes a good country singer?” He would know. Fergie started as Cowboy Jack Clement’s sound engineer before becoming a producer. He also served as Rick Rubin’s sound engineer on Johnny Cash’s posthumous American Recordings albums. Over the years, he has worked with John Prine, Eddy Arnold, Charley Pride, Tyler Childers, the Del McCoury Band, and many more.

“Character first of all,” he said. “Personality in their voice, character, something recognizable and somebody who’s got a true ear and can control their pitch and can sing in time,” he added. “All the greats have true character in their voice. You know who is singing in the first two or three notes. Sturgill’s that way. Merle Haggard’s that way. Johnny Cash is that way. All the greats, you could recognize right away.”

Featured Image by  Adam McCullough