An interview with Darrell Scott
Joanne Lowell asked Darrell Scott ten questions and got these answers. Darrell rarely uses upper case letters, but feel free to use them if you prefer.
1. What’s in your cup?
an english black tea w milk
2. Tell us about your show in Livingston – this is a return to the Shane Center but your first time in their cool pavilion.
last time i was at shane center i saw the outdoor space i will be playing...livingston has repurposed their kool buildings
and made space for all sorts of creativity - i plan to bring my creative self to that same space - singing songs, playing guitar - we will have a great organic august night
3. Are Montana audiences the same as anywhere or do you notice a difference?
i feel there is a great creative history and community in livingston and the area...folks know how good the quality of life is there - and this returning traveler knows as well - i have been coming to livingston for 20 years
4. Who is Ben Bullington, can you tell us about the project you created with his songs?
ben bullington was a friend, a fellow father and a very good songwriter - we shared that- i made an entire record of his songs at the end of his life to bear witness to his great writing - i saw one of his last shows (in livingston) and knew at that show that recording his songs was what i was going to do..."10 THE SONGS OF BEN BULLINGTON" - he heard 2 of the songs before he passed...i wanted him (and all of us) to HEAR how good his songs are
5. Does visiting a place that soothes your soul influence your performance?
yes - in concert i am a reflection
of where i am, what is going on w the world, people i meet and have met there - each show is different and unique to that show - beauty influences me and my showing up
6. What’s happening for you this summer musically?
this summer is a lot of solo shows and some string band shows at festivals from new york to san francisco and our yearly float down the middle fork of the salmon in august - coming out west is always part of my summer
7. How does it feel to be a lifetime achievement award winner? That’s quite an accomplishment. Has there been a highlight so far?
the biggest highlight was the night itself at the ryman auditorium in nashville: great band led by buddy miller and 6 piece vocals of the mccrory sisters and my brothers: the scott brothers - and it was on the austin city limits' yearly "televised" americana music awards show
8. You’ve been in Nashville for a long time, but it feels like you don’t fall into the defined Nashville thing. What does living in (or near) Nashville bring to the music you create?
nashville has some of the greatest musicians, writers, studios, singers in the world - it is a great place to work - i always wanted to keep my identity while working here - i am pleased that i have made nashville my creative home for 34 years - i am in very good company here
9. You’ve played with such a wide range of folks – from Guy Clark to Sam Bush to Zac Brown to Robert Plant. Any bucket list items left for you?
i have been able to work w many heroes and sheroes - i never know of who what where the next encounter will happen - like in grade school report cards, i feel i work/play well with others
10. Any new instruments in your musical arsenal?
one of my newest instruments is from bozeman luthier, kevin kopp - i helped pick the woods at his shop for this one: cedar from an old salvaged train trestle in california and mahogany from another luthier w montana roots, larry pogreba
DARRELL SCOTT is Live at the Blake Pavilion on Saturday, August 1 at 7:30pm - Get your tickets today!