Sturgill Simpson Announces New Name, New Album, Massive U.S. Tour

Grammy-winning country star Sturgill Simpson revealed on Wednesday that he has a new musical alias called Johnny Blue Skies. After Simpson released The Ballad of Dood & Juanita in 2021, he told Rolling Stone, “This is the last Sturgill record. I always said there would be five, and I wondered if I’d go back on that.” Simpson has kept his word, and will now release his next album, entitled Passage du Desir, under the Johnny Blue Skies moniker. The album is coming out on July 12, via Simpson’s HIgh Top Mountains Records. Johnny Blue Skies is also heading out on a massive three-month Why Not? Tour that will roll through most of the United States. Johnny Blue Skies live band will feature Simpson joined by bassist Kevin Black, keyboardist Robbie Crowell, guitarist Laur Joamets, and drummer Miles Miller. (Pitchfork)