Nashville Fights Back Against Sturgill

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Where would Sturgill Simpson be without Nashville?

This week, the formerly independent artist, now signed to major record label Atlantic Records, took to social media to lambaste the Music City machine. He ended his two-part Facebook diatribe by saying, “F*** this town. I’m moving.”

Simpson’s big problem? The Academy of Country Music waited until after Merle Haggard died to name an industry award in his honor despite, according to Simpson, showing the outlaw legend little love at the end of his life. He blasted the ACM and the Country Music Association for recognizing the wrong music — i.e. pop, radio friendly songs wrought with cliches — at their award shows. Simpson said he believes Music Row executives would conspire to blackball him after his Facebook posts, but pointed out he doesn’t need them. His latest record topped the country sales chart despite no support from mainstream country music.

Setting aside the fact that the ACM is not based in Nashville, Simpson certainly brought up some valid points about Music Row and its cruel nature toward artists whose profitability begin to decline.

However, if Simpson is truly serious about leaving town, then he is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Whatever his issues with commercial country music, there is a significant sector of the music industry here that has been supportive of Simpson’s career. I wonder if the guy whose pre-fame background includes time working on a railroad would have achieved his great success without Music City?

After all, prominent artist manager Marc Dottore (who has represented Nashville icons Marty Stuart and Connie Smith) gave Simpson his big break. Dottore is as well-regarded a music industry pro as there is.

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While earning buzz as one of country music’s freshest voices, Simpson was signed to an extremely friendly deal with Thirty Tigers. He later dumped the label services company in favor of a deal with Warner Music-owned Atlantic Records, which has deeper pockets.

And who produced Simpson’s records as he rose to fame? Dave Cobb, one of the city’s kindest and most accomplished producers. Cobb’s legacy, in addition to his exploits making records, includes stepping up to run iconic RCA Studio A after it was spared from the wrecking ball.

As a passionate fan of his music, I agree Simpson is right on some levels that he has been wrongly shunned by the country music machine, particularly mainstream country radio. But, what about the Americana Music Association? The nonprofit organization, based in Franklin, backed Simpson when his career was fledgling and he wasn’t capable of generating thousands of page views with a Facebook tantrum.

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