We're used to seeing Sturgill Simpson pop up on night time talk shows as a musical guest who might even joke around (remember his ode to the Waffle House with Stephen Colbert?), but we've never seen Simpson sit down as a guest promoting an acting role. Simpson's new TV show, One Dollar, premiered on Aug. 29, so the singer-songwriter sat at the Late Night With Seth Meyers desk on NBC to discuss his new gig.
"Well, this is my mid-life crisis," Simpson said in his typical relaxed fashion when asked about his new creative venture. In One Dollar, Simpson plays a steelworker down on his luck who starts selling stolen items. Meanwhile, a mysterious crime sweeps over the small rust belt town. Simpson says the show was offered to him after he auditioned and was turned down for a different project.
While chatting with Meyers, Simpson also discussed how only five years ago he was playing country music in small venues in New York City like the Hill Country Barbecue. "It was a Saturday night and I was particularly surprised and excited because we actually found a parking space within nine blocks of the venue," he said. But inside was a wedding party who were less than engaged with the music. "Absolutely none of them came to see us," Simpson admitted, adding that there was a silver lining. New York Times critic Jon Caramanica was also in the crowd and wrote a positive review of the show, helping propel Simpson's career forward.
After winning a Grammy for his latest album A Sailor's Guide to Earth, everyone wants to know what's next for Simpson. "We've been working on a new one [record] now for over a year," he said. And his 4-year-old son is already a fan, "I'm well burnt-out on it already because I've had to hear it so many times with him in the car." Simpson also discussed how his wife helped him to become creatively motivated, showing that his family is a strong positive force in his life.
Simpson continues on the Outlaw Music Festival Tour with Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson, Margo Price, and Nathaniel Rateliff through the end of September with an additional date in October. Check out One Dollar by logging into the streaming service CBS All Access.