Sturgill Simpson performed live from an empty Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on Friday night, fulfilling a promise he made to fans who donated nearly $250,000 to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, Equity Alliance Nashville Tornado Relief, and the Special Forces Foundation.
The special, one-night-only performance saw Simpson joined by, what he described as, “The greatest bluegrass band on the planet,” including Stuart Duncan, Mike Bub, Sierra Hull, Scott Vestal, Tim O’Brien, Mark Howard, and Miles Miller, for an hour-long 13-song set. Playing mostly originals, the band started with “Living the Dream”, “A Little Light”, and “Life of Sin” before “Long White Line” and “Breakers Roar” took them to the midway point of Friday night’s performance.
“Sitting Here Without You” and “All Around You” led to the first cover of the night, a rendition of Sunday Valley‘s “Sometimes Wine”. The band then alternated between originals and covers for the remainder of the set. “Time After All” preceded The Stanley Brothers‘ “Pretty Polly” before the original “Railroad of Sin” set up the final song of the evening, another Stanley Brothers cover, “Sharecropper’s Son”. Watch Simpson’s entire stream from the empty Ryman Auditorium below and scroll down for a detailed setlist.
Sturgill Simpson – The Ryman Auditorium – 6/5/20
[Video: SturgillSimpson]
During the stream, Simpson noted that along with his webcast promise, he would also be releasing a new album this year. Furthermore, he compelled fans to continue to donate to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, Equity Alliance Nashville Tornado Relief, and the Special Forces Foundation. Head to his website for more information.
Setlist: Sturgill Simpson | The Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN | 6/5/20
Set: Living the Dream, A Little Light, Life of Sin, All the Pretty Colors, Long White Line, Breakers Roar, Sitting Here Without You, All Around You, Sometimes Wine (Sunday Valley cover), Time After All, Pretty Polly (The Stanley Brothers cover), Railroad of Sin, Sharecropper’s Son (The Stanley Brothers cover)