Darrell Scott

Darrell Scott

Darrell Scott is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from London, Kentucky, born in 1959. He works in country and folk, and is also associated with americana, bluegrass and country-folk styles. He plays professionally from his teens, first in Southern California, and later lives in Toronto and Boston. He also attends Tufts University, where he studies poetry and literature.

Career and collaborations

Scott is the son of musician Wayne Scott, and he collaborates with him. He records and tours with his own band, and his work draws on a wide range of roots and Americana influences. He also records and tours in 2010 as part of Robert Plant's Band of Joy project. Other collaborators include Steve Earle, Sam Bush, Emmylou Harris, John Cowan, Verlon Thompson, Guy Clark, Tim O'Brien, Kate Rusby and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

Recordings and songwriting

Scott releases material on Full Light Records and Chuck Wagon Gourmet Music. He founds Full Light Records in 2003. His solo album Theatre of the Unheard appears in critical lists and wins Independent Music Award recognition, while A Crooked Road is his sixth solo studio album. That album is recorded at home, with Scott performing all the parts himself on a range of instruments. It presents 20 songs and pieces, including the title track, “Long Wide Open Road,” “For Suzanne,” “Colorado,” “Snow Queen and Drama Llama,” “This Time ‘Round” and “This Beggar’s Heart.”

Songwriting recognition

Scott receives a Grammy nomination for Best Country Song for “Long Time Gone,” recorded by the Dixie Chicks. He also receives a Grammy nomination for Best Country Instrumental Performance for “The Second Mouse.” Other honours include ASCAP Songwriter of the Year in 2002, NSAI Songwriter of the Year in 2001, and a 2009 Americana Award for Song of the Year for “Hank William’s Ghost.” His song “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive” appears in American Songwriter’s Top 25 Songs from the last 25 Years at number 6. He is also named Country Music Songwriter of the Year in 2004 by a critics’ poll, and he appears in the Village Voice Pazz & Jopp Poll in 2000 and 2003.

Further work

Scott’s recordings and writing are also linked with bluegrass and acoustic music circles. He appears in nominations and awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, and his career includes a wide range of solo work alongside collaborations with leading artists in country, folk and Americana.