Courtesy photo
Over his musical career, Darrell Scott has been the writer of chart-topping hits for some of the biggest names in country music.
He’s written songs for The Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, Patty Loveless, Martina McBride, and Brad Paisley. On top of that, he has collaborated in the studio or on stage with the likes of Joan Baez, Steve Earle and Sam Bush.
Recently, he played guitar, accordion, pedal steel, lap steel, and banjo while handling backing vocal duties for Band of Joy, the touring band for former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant.
Despite all of the contributions Scott has made to the music of others, his solo material is pretty damn incredible in its own right.
Scott is one of the headliners for the 2012 Fayetteville Roots Festival, set for Aug. 23-26 at various locations in Fayetteville. He’ll perform at 8:10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, just before another legendary performer, John Prine, closes out the night at Walton Arts Center. Tickets are still available at fayettevilleroots.com.
We got in touch with Darrell recently, and he replied to the questions we sent him.
What have you been listening to lately?
The Etta James box set, Bonnie Raitt new album.
You’re career has taken you all over the world. Have you ever been to Fayetteville? What’s your impression of the place?
Sure, i have been to your town – great small town/big college town that loves music
You got off the road with Robert Plant not too long ago, correct? What was that tour like? Any rock-star moments?
The main P.A. went out during a show – our monitors still worked- but robert did not miss a beat: he immediately turned his monitors towards the audience – classic.
Tell us about your songwriting process. Do you have any rituals when you sit down to write?
I wait for inspiration – if not stirred or inspired, I am living (not writing) inspiration brings the best songs.
I’m always curious about how much of themselves folks put into their songs. To what extent does your songwriting come from your own experiences, and how much of it is imagined?
Mostly all from experience or reaction to something in the world – and once in a while, imagination takes it.
Who’s the last songwriter who blew you away with their work?
Malcolm Holcombe.
I’ve really enjoyed Long Ride Home. What was it like to make that record?
Working with heroes – big smile – a satisfied man.
You’ve written for others and you’ve made great records on your own. Which is more satisfying?
Writing songs and making my records.
What’s next for you? Got any big projects coming up after this fall tour?
I have a live album with Tim O’brien out in October – then taking most of next year off.
Nice profile, fellas. In addition to Gregory Alan Isacov, you all have now profiled the second of my top three acts to see at the Roots Festival (John Prine notwithstanding). Next you oughtta profile Little Rock’s Adam Faucett!
Darrel Scott is responsible for one of my favorite songs ever: “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive”. The song was covered by both Brad Paisley (on his “Part II” album) and Patty Loveless on her “Mountain Soul” bluegrass record. Fans of the FX show Justified may recognize Paisley’s version of the song as the one that closes out the first two seasons of the show. But it is Patty Loveless who absolutely nails this song. As a former resident of Appalachia (I lived on the WV/KY/OH line), I understand what Scott meant when he penned the line “when the sun comes up about 10 in the morning and the sun goes down about 3 in the day.” Sorry, Ozarks…the Appalachian Mountains are that big.
Here’s Patty Loveless’ version of “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive.” (not an official video, but the song is star anyway): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqDVObM1kxc
So yeah…put Darrel Scott on your radar!
Cheers, Friends.
Fayetteville Roots Fest is gonna be good! Nice profile on the outstanding Darrell Scott.
I most recently saw him play with Robert Plant’s Band Of Joy at the Little Rock tour stop. However note that Robert has a new band, Sensational Space Shifters, which debuted in Mississippi last weekend (that does not have Darrell).