SLCene Suggests: Sturgill Simpson at The State Room

STURGILL SIMPSON, THE STATE ROOM, Friday, Nov. 28, 9 p.m., sold out

You might have heard some of the well-deserved hype around rising country star Sturgill Simpson, recently named “Emerging Artist of the Year” at the 2014 Americana Honors & Awards, but did you know he also has some significant history in Salt Lake City? According to a Wall Street Journal article published in May, he was drinking heavily back home in Kentucky after a stint in the Navy when a buddy scored him a job in Salt Lake City working for Union Pacific. Not only did the hard work help dry him out; Simpson also met his now-wife, who encouraged him to get back into music by buying him a little home-recorder and booking him some shows around town. Eventually, they sold everything they had and moved to Nashville, where he’s since released two albums of stirring tunes that give “country” a good name.  This show is sold out, but if you can find a ticket online or from a scalper the night of the show, do it! Lucette opens the show.