Sturgill Simpson Shows Matt Sweeney His ‘Guitar Moves’

Sturgill Simpson is featured in the latest episode of Matt Sweeney‘s Guitar Moves web series. Simpson discusses his journey to stardom and influences before displaying his guitar moves with a cameo from producer David “Ferg” Ferguson.

Guitar Moves was recently relaunched by Matt Sweeney after a lengthy hiatus. The Sturgill episode arrives hot on the heels of Passage Du Desir, an album Simpson released under the Johnny Blue Skies moniker. Simpson co-produced the record with Ferguson who has also worked with Matt Sweeney and connected the pair.

Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson swung by Sweeney’s New York City home to film their appearance on Guitar Moves. Simpson first received a guitar when his father gave him his old Silvertone when Sturgill was in fourth or fifth grade. The Kentucky native had his mindblown after hearing Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love” and picks learning about Eric Clapton as his jumping off point into musical exploration.

When Simpson joined the Navy in his early 20s, he found bluegrass and was infatuated with the genre for 10 years. He shared a story of listening to Bill Monroe’s “Wayfaring Stranger” for the first time and said it “punched him in the chest and told him where he was from.” Simpson was still into electric guitar at the time and would emulate Monroe and Ralph Stanley licks on his axe. Eventually, he discovered old country music and realized he had an attachment to the music due to where he grew up.

Sturgill Simpson threw down bluegrass-inspired licks when Sweeney asked him to show off his guitar moves. Talk then turned to the Estonia-born Laur Joamets, the guitarist in Sturgill’s band. Simpson spoke about Joamets’ intense talents and the lone feedback he had to give Laur. Sturgill then lit into a “burning bluegrass rhythm pattern” at Sweeney’s request.

Matt Sweeney went on to ask what advice Simpson would give to young singers. “It’s not about tricks or look what I can do,” Sturgill said about making sure your own voice comes through. Ferugson then chimes in and discusses the importance of character when it comes to singing. Sweeney, Simpson and Ferguson end the episode by performing bluegrass tunes “Wrong Road Again,” “Foggy Old London” and “Ocean Of Diamonds.” Sturgill sang the Jimmy Martin-penned “Foggy Old London” and shared vocal duties with Ferg on “Ocean Of Diamonds,” which was also written by Martin.

Watch Sturgill Simpson’s appearance on Guitar Moves below: