There’s a certain kind of artist you don’t just listen to, you feel. Bay Simpson belongs to that rare category. With roots in the historic soundscape of Muscle Shoals and a voice shaped by both legacy and lived experience, his music carries a depth that goes beyond performance.
Now stepping into the national spotlight through The Voice, Bay is not just introducing himself to a wider audience; he’s reintroducing what authenticity in music truly sounds like.
As he prepares to release “Too Good To Be True,” a track steeped in nostalgia and reflection, Bay invites listeners into his world, one built on honesty, memory, and the enduring spirit of rock ’n’ roll.
WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER, BAY SIMPSON! FOR THOSE WHO ARE HEARING ABOUT YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR JOURNEY FROM MUSCLE SHOALS TO NASHVILLE.
Welp, my name is Bay Simpson. I am a 27-year-old singer/songwriter originally from Muscle Shoals, AL. I grew up in a very musical family—my mother was a singer, my father was a drummer, my stepfather is a hit songwriter, and my stepbrother is a touring indie artist. It was almost impossible for me not to end up in the family business.
I grew up hanging out inside FAME Studios when guys like Jason Isbell and John Paul White were staff writers there, and I was writing and playing at a very early age. After high school, I decided to move my focus to music full-time, and the only job I have ever had is playing music.
I first came to Nashville when my band, Outlaw Apostles, came to the attention of legendary producer Keith Stegall. That band was my introduction to the music business. Through the years with my band, we got to do a lot of cool things, such as open for Dwight Yoakam and Jamey Johnson, as well as play main stages at festivals such as Barefoot Country Fest and Carolina Country Fest.
I also leaned heavily into co-writing during my time with the band. I got my first cut as a songwriter at age 20 when Kid Rock recorded and released a song I co-wrote entitled “Never Enough.”
WHAT WAS IT LIKE BEING ON THE VOICE AND GETTING THAT CHAIR TURN FROM ADAM LEVINE, WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND IN THAT MOMENT?
I was extremely relieved to get a chair turn. Adam turned at the very end, and you could probably see the stress on my face because I thought for a second that I was going home without a turn. Just getting that stamp of approval from a legend like Adam was so cool—it was pure relief.
The Voice was an amazing experience. The cast and crew were great. It was an extremely fun and exciting time, and I wouldn’t trade that time for anything.
YOUR NEW SINGLE “TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE” FEELS VERY NOSTALGIC AND EMOTIONAL. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS SONG, AND HOW PERSONAL IS IT TO YOU?
I think just being very reflective in my own personality and always trying to appreciate things in the moment is what inspired me to write the song. I’m a stream-of-consciousness type of writer—I write what I feel. I’ve always felt a special connection to my youth, even though I was kind of a nervous wreck during those times and didn’t fully appreciate it.
This song was born out of wanting to show my own appreciation for that special time. It’s very personal to me, as many of the experiences described in the song are real. I wanted to put this out so those moments I had would never be forgotten.
GROWING UP IN MUSCLE SHOALS, A PLACE WITH SUCH A DEEP MUSICAL LEGACY, HOW HAS THAT SHAPED YOUR SOUND AND THE KIND OF ARTIST YOU’VE BECOME?
I think Muscle Shoals, more than anything, has made me truly appreciate the craft of music. To me, the music IS the most important part, which is rare to hear nowadays. That is how you’re wired if you’re from Muscle Shoals.
Nothing is more paramount than the music, so everything I do is real—no fluff, no softening, no trying to be something I’m not in order to be more popular. Just real music and true artistry. That’s Muscle Shoals, in a nutshell.
YOU WORKED WITH BRIAN MAHER AND JAMES LEBLANC ON THIS TRACK—WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE, AND WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM COLLABORATING WITH THEM?
It’s a joy working with those guys. James is my stepfather, but he’s so much more than that—he’s also a mentor and a huge influence on me as a writer, singer, and guitar player.
Brian has long been one of my favorite co-writers in Nashville. He is a savant in the way that he just wants to service the song in the best way possible. Most of my best stuff is written with Brian. He’s helped so many young artists come into their own, and he’s certainly done the same for me.
YOU’VE ALREADY HAD SOME INCREDIBLE MILESTONES EARLY ON, LIKE KID ROCK RECORDING YOUR SONG AND TOURING WITH OUTLAW APOSTLES. HOW DID THOSE EXPERIENCES INFLUENCE YOUR CONFIDENCE AND DIRECTION AS AN ARTIST?
I think those experiences just gave me the justification to keep pursuing this career. The music business can be tough, you have to be a little crazy to keep going sometimes. For me, those milestones fueled me to stick to my guns and keep being myself. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
YOU HAVE A REALLY UNIQUE CONNECTION TO ELVIS PRESLEY, DOES THAT ADD ANY PRESSURE OR INSPIRATION WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR OWN MUSIC JOURNEY?
It adds inspiration. It doesn’t add pressure. I am very spiritual about music, so being a rock n roll artist while being related to the King is special to me. There was no one cooler than Elvis Presley, and being in the bloodline, I just wanna do my best to keep the coolness and mystique of rock n roll alive.
YOUR MUSIC CARRIES A STRONG STORYTELLING ELEMENT. WHEN YOU SIT DOWN TO WRITE, DO YOU START WITH A FEELING, A MEMORY, OR SOMETHING ELSE?
For me, it can be all of the above. As I stated above, I write in a stream of consciousness style. It can be a memory or it can be something random that I come across in life. A lot of times I start with a catchy melody, and I try to put words to it that fit. It can also be vice versa, where I have a really cool title and need a catchy melody. I try to keep it very simple. Writing memorable, melodic songs that have something to say are my guidelines.
LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT EXCITES YOU THE MOST RIGHT NOW, AND WHAT CAN YOUR FANS EXPECT FROM YOU IN THE COMING MONTHS?
I’m excited for people to hear my new music. I’m a big believer in my songwriting, and I hope listeners feel the same way. I will be releasing singles through the summer, starting with the April 10 release of “Too Good To Be True.” So, go stream my music, follow me on socials, and come see me play a show somewhere!!
