Throughout his illustrious career with Guns N’ Roses, Slash has showcased a deep love for rock, heavy metal, and blues. However, his musical interests extend beyond these genres, including a genuine appreciation for country music. In recent years, country music has gained mainstream traction, with artists like Post Malone and Beyoncé exploring the genre. Stars such as Lainey Wilson have also declared that “country is cool again.”
Reflecting on his journey, Slash recounted his time in Nashville while working on the Conspirators’ album, 4. “We got an Airbnb here — it was during [2020] — so we were here for a couple of weeks and we were recording at the RCA Studio, Studio A, which is a very historic, famous recording studio here in Nashville,” he explained. The studio, adorned with images of iconic country artists, left a lasting impression on him.
During his stay, Slash explored the building and its surroundings, discovering a book about legendary country musicians like Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. Inspired by his experience, he returned home and began playing the pedal steel.
Slash’s admiration for country music led him to seek a collaboration with Chris Stapleton for his latest album, Orgy of the Damned. They teamed up to cover “Oh Well,” a track that Slash had long envisioned Stapleton performing. “We’d already recorded the song, and I had him earmarked as the guy, but I had my doubts that he would actually do it. Just his voice, his drawl, and that tone of his would make for the greatest pairing,” Slash shared. “Finally, I did get his number and I called him, and he said, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, that’d be cool.’ I was beside myself that he was into it.”
Orgy of the Damned has received high praise from fans, and Slash continues to laud Stapleton’s genuine artistry. “Somebody like Chris Stapleton, when it’s done from pure of heart and it’s done with passion and integrity, it’s as great as anything else,” Slash emphasized, highlighting the sincerity and depth Stapleton brought to their collaboration.
