Telluride Bluegrass welcomes back Darrell Scott

16 Jun Telluride Bluegrass welcomes back Darrell Scott

[click “Play” to hear Darrell Scott’s conversation with Susan]

kicker: Performs all-star Sunday Gospel set and in weekend closer with Robert Plant

Telluride Bluegrass guest artist (James) Darrell Scott was born August 1959 in London, Kentucky, the son of the singer/songwriter Wayne Scott. When Scott was 16, his dad purchased a four-track, reel-to-reel recorder, which the teen virtually adopted, spending many long nights in a shed, laying down parts and harmonizing with himself on a variety of instruments.The experience was a vital part of Scott’s musical schooling, as he figured out how instruments sound together and how to layer parts with grace and taste.

Darrell Scott and Guy Clark are sometimes writing partners, and each can be descibed as a songwriter’s songwriter and musician’s musician.  Scott’s writing is powerful and spare. His vocals, passionate, the soulful sound somewhere between Lowell George and James Taylor. His picking, masterful. And he improvises with ease and virtuosic fluidity.

And yet Scott is, according to Vintage Guitar, among the “most outstanding and underrated songwriter and performer in the United States today.”

Over a long career, Darrell Scott collaborated with the likes of Steve Earle, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Tim O’Brien, and Emmylou, all of whom are on hand for the 38th annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Thursday, June 16 – Sunday, June 19. (Can you spell “surprise guest”?)

“His playing is unreal.  He’s just limitless in his approach and knowledge of instruments,”  said Sam.

Famous names such as the Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, and Keb’ Mo’ –  also Clark, Bush, and Cowan – have covered his songs.

Scott’s latest release, “A Crooked Road,” received raves.

“…matching Guy Clark and Bruce Springsteen at their best,” said Rolling Stone.

To learn more, click the “play” button and listen to Darrell Scott’s interview.