Sturgill Simpson Debuts ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ Cover & Shares Message For ‘Jam Band Kids’ In Denver

Sturgill Simpson wrapped up a two-night stand at The Mission Ballroom in Denver on Tuesday. Simpson led his band through their first-ever cover of Joe Walsh's “Rocky Mountain Way” as part of a show featuring a much different setlist than Monday.

“Brace For Impact (Live A Little),” “Welcome To Earth (Pollywog),” “Best Clockmaker On Mars,” “It Ain’t All Flowers” and “One For The Road” were the only songs repeated by Simpson in Denver. Sturgill and bandmates bassist Kevin Black, keyboardist Robbie Crowell, guitarist Laur Joamets and drummer Miles Miller played a total of 51 unique songs over the course of his two-night run at The Mission Ballroom.

Sturgill Simpson was sick on Monday and acknowledged his recovery and setlist variation in Denver, telling the crowd:

Who was here last night?

Two things, I feel so much better. Number two, all these jam band kids — I’m gonna tell y’all something. It ain’t about going to shows and not hearing the same songs 18 nights in a row. We’re not a jam band, I am a songwriter with a band that jams. Which is why tonight, you’re going to hear two and a half hour of songs you didn’t hear last night and maybe some shit we played last night because we just like playing ’em. Don’t be spoiled little bitches.

Simpson also took a moment during “You Can Have Your Crown” on Tuesday to explain he received a “big ol’ steroid shot” and IV shot the previous morning. “The steroids kicked in about time I got home from the show, I didn’t sleep a wink last night.” He said he watched South Park all night and showed off his impression of Randy Marsh before finishing the song.

Sturgill Simpson and his ensemble lit into “Rocky Mountain Way” within “Call To Arms” to conclude his Denver run. The geographically-appropriate cover was originally recorded by Joe Walsh and his band Barnstorm for the guitarist’s 1973 album The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get. The group performed most of the song before Sturgill inserted his own lyrics into the “Machine Gun” jam that closes “Call To Arms.”

Watch Sturgill Simpson performing “Rocky Mountain Way” in Denver below: