Biography All Music Guide Wikipedia
All Music Guide:
Born in New Hampshire but raised in South Berkwick, ME, Rod Picott started his musical journey performing with a number of high-school and after-school rock and punk bands. After graduation, Picott headed west for Boulder, CO, performing in various coffeehouses and perfecting his craft with the help of Steven Allen Davis. After this time, Picott headed to Nashville to try his luck on Music Row. After seven years performing in various clubs and becoming a regular on the competitive circuit, Picott received an opening slot on Allison Krauss & Union Station's 1998 tour of the West Coast. He also has written with Slaid Cleaves as well as Fred Eaglesmith. In 2001, Picott released his debut album Tiger Tom Dixon's Blues, named after his father's uncle who was a boxer during the Depression. The album received great acclaim for its style and substance along the lines of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, John Hiatt, and Steve Earle. Picott has also performed at various musical showcases, including the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in 2002.
Wikipedia:
Rod Picott (born November 3, 1964) is a singer-songwriter whose music incorporates elements of Americana, alt-country, and folk. He grew up in New Hampshire, but relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in 1994. After several years of playing local clubs and supporting such acts as Alison Krauss, he released his first album in 2001. As of 2008, he has released five studio albums and one live recording.
Career
Picott was born in New Hampshire, but grew up in South Berwick, Maine, where he played in various local bands. After a period living in Boulder, Colorado, where he busked and studied the art of songwriting, Picott moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1994, where he spent a number of years playing local clubs. He began to make a name for himself as a songwriter, which grew when he co-wrote a song on Fred Eaglesmith's album 50 Odd Dollars.
In 1998 he signed a deal with the management company operated by Denise Stiff, who also managed Alison Krauss. He initially worked as the driver of Krauss's merchandise truck, but was called upon to fill in when an opening act was needed, which led to a series of support slots with Krauss.
Picott finally released his own debut album in 2001. Tiger Tom Dixon's Blues was named after his great-uncle, a boxer during the Great Depression, and featured his version of "Broke Down", a song he co-wrote with long-time friend Slaid Cleaves. A year later he released the follow-up disc Stray Dogs. Two years later he released his third disc, Girl from Arkansas. In 2005 he released a live album Travel Log that featured his friend, dobro-player Matt Mauch.