Sturgill Simpson Appears On ‘Colbert’

Sturgill Simpson returned to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night. Simpson spoke with host Stephen Colbert before leading a performance of “Breakers Roar” from his recently released bluegrass album Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 – The Butcher Shoppe Sessions.

The Grammy-winning musician was originally supposed to appear on Colbert in April when a COVID-19 diagnosis led Sturgill to cancel. Simpson discussed coming down with “the ‘rona” and how it’s still not clear how he contracted the virus. Sturgill and Stephen then recalled their 2016 trip to Waffle House and the song that came out of the experience.

Simpson went on to discuss how he rediscovered bluegrass music in his 20s and what led him to record Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1. Colbert then asked Sturgill how he met John Prine. Simpson spoke about their initial meeting and the long friendship the pair formed. The musician revealed a gift Prine left for him when he passed.

“I thought we’d pick something along the lines of healing in terms of lyrical content,” Sturgill Simpson told Colbert about his decision to perform “Breakers Roar.” Simpson was joined by a number of the all-star musicians who backed him on Cuttin’ Grass including Sierra Hull, Tim O’Brien and Stuart Duncan.

Watch Sturgill’s appearance on Colbert below:

Interview

Breakers Roar