Sturgill Simpson Offers Heart-Wrenching Tribute to Late Grandfather
Sturgill Simpson's grandfather died Wednesday (March 15), prompting the singer to offer a heart-wrenching tribute on his Facebook page, citing his grandfather as the “greatest man” and “finest human being I will ever know.”
Lawrence "Dood" Fraley is also the voice at the beginning of Simpson’s Grammy-nominated Metamodern Sounds in Country Music album. According to the singer, Fraley was a major part of his life, especially in his youth.
“There were times in my younger life when I was not a good man...When I didn't always make the right choices,” Simpson writes via Facebook. “And looking back I can honestly say that the only thing that kept me from jumping headfirst off the proverbial cliff of life was knowing how much I would have let him down. And that's the truth.”
Simpson won a 2017 Grammy for Best Country Album for A Sailor’s Guide to Earth and was nominated for Album of the Year against music powerhouses Adele, Beyonce, Justin Bieber and Drake. That award went to Adele, but Simpson’s nomination alongside such established pop acts is an accomplishment in itself. He was the only country artist— and to many, a surprise nominee — on the ballot for the category. In his post, he continues to share how moments like these have made his grandfather proud.
“My Papaw taught me to play Country Music and more importantly, he taught me to love Country Music,” Simpson continues. “Above all else that has happened in my life and career in the last four years, nothing comes close to knowing that he lived long enough to see it as he could not have been more proud. Goodbye old man… You will be forever missed by all who knew you.”
Simpson ended his post with a link to the song "Hero," from his 2013 album High Top Mountain. The Americana star released his latest single "All Around You" in February.
See Photos From Sturgill Simpson's Grammy Performance