Sturgill Simpson performed “Keep It Between The Lines” and “Call To Arms” on the January 14 episode of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” with host Felicity Jones.
The appearance on SNL’s debut episode of 2017 culminates a breakthrough year for Simpson following the release of his acclaimed new album, A Sailor’s Guide To Earth, which is nominated for “Album of the Year” and “Best Country Album” at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. The awards show will be broadcast live on CBS from L.A.’s Staples Center on Sunday, February 12 at 8/7c.
Out now on Atlantic Records (purchasehere), A Sailor’s Guide To Earth sold 55,000 units in its first week (with over 52,000 in pure albums sales) debuting at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, #1 on theBillboard Current Albums chart, #1 on Billboard Current Digital Albums chart and #3 on the overall Billboard 200 chart. A Sailor’s Guide To Earth also debuted at #1 on theBillboard Vinyl Albums chart with over 9,400 copies sold.
Additionally, the album continues to receive overwhelming critical acclaim with recent “Best of 2016” coverage running at The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, NPR Music, Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Pitchfork, Salon, Billboard, The Atlantic, Paste, SPIN,American Songwriter among many others.
Praise for A Sailor’s Guide To Earth…
“…defies categorization, and exceeds expectations…”—Associated Press
“It’s hard to believe any other record this year will raise as many eyebrows, invite as many questions, or be as instantly beloved.”—Esquire Magazine
“…one of the year’s most impressive albums…”—Los Angeles Times
“There’s no real genre category for it, and that’s a good thing. It tries out plenty of different ideas, succeeds at all of them, and presents all of them as a cohesive whole. It’s a total triumph of an album, and it’s also an absolutely singular force.”—Stereogum
“Sailor’s Guide is rowdier, more emotionally insular and also far more musically surprising, an album of raw country cut with rich and messy Southern soul and sleek orchestral bombast.”
—The New York Times
—The New York Times
“A Sailor’s Guide to Earth represents a startling change in tone and presents a wealth of rewards for every creative risk.”—Pitchfork
“…a spectacular mic drop of a third LP.”—Rolling Stone
“Simpson, to the uninitiated, is just about the best county music has to offer, which is more important in these post-Merle days.”—The Washington Post
Simpson and his band recently wrapped an extensive sold-out national tour in support of the album. Of the recent show at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, the Nashville Scene praises, “…Simpson’s performance was a statement: He was there to put in work, and put in work he did,” and went on to assert his, “…raw talent and a mastery of dynamics.” Additionally, over the past year, Simpson has performed on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” “Conan,” “The TonightShow Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and “Charlie Rose.”