Sturgill Simpson says talent is ‘not as rare as people think’ and work ethic matters more

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Sturgill Simpson doesn’t think there’s a hidden secret to success in music.

Simpson has carved out an incredibly loyal following in the country music industry by singing largely outlaw country tunes.

However, that’s far from his only skill. He also released a pair of albums under his alter ego Johnny Blue Skies.

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His secret to success?

Just work hard.

Sturgill Simpson performs at The Greek Theatre on April 24, 2025 in Berkeley, California.

Simpson spoke with Playboy about his rise in the music industry, and he took some not-so-subtle shots at people who don’t think they need to earn it.

“I had all the thankless f***ing jobs. There are so many people I met when I moved to Nashville 15 years ago who had exponentially more talent than I do, but they had no work ethic. Or they thought [sic] that, because they were brilliant, they didn’t have to earn their medals,” Simpson told Playboy (via Whiskey Riff).

He continued, “No, b*tch, get in the van and go do circles and sleep on f***ing floors for six months until 12 people in a room give a sh*t. That’s the only thing that’s going to be lasting. If you’re waiting on some machine to pump you out, that machine is going to flush your a** too. Talent’s not as rare as people think.”

Sturgill Simpson performs onstage during weekend two, day three of the 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Simpson’s comments shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. This is the man who famously once said he was “plotting” the “destruction” of the music industry. Or, that’s certainly how his comment was interpreted.

He’s nothing if not honest and straight to the point. That’s the authenticity that has gained him millions of fans.

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The Kentucky-born country singer also does more than just sing. He does some acting, and appeared in the legendary HBO show “The Righteous Gemstones” to sing a cover of “All the Gold in California.” It’s 100% worth checking out online because it’s hilarious and also impressive.