Express & Star

Rod Picott to play Bewdley and Eccleshall

Nashville-based troubadour Rod Picott will be bringing a sprinkle of Americana, folk and country to Bewdley and Eccleshall next month.

Published
Rod Picott and his band play at Shrewsbury Folk Festival in 2007

The 54-year-old, who has contributed to or released 12 albums since his 2001 debut Tiger Tom Dixon's Blues, will be at St George’s Hall in Bewdley on October 5 and The Royal Oak in Eccleshall on October 12.

The shows are part of a UK tour in support of his acclaimed 12th album Tell The Truth & Shame The Devil, which came out in July.

Many of the songs on the record were prompted by a health scare that rattled Picott through the winter.

A spokesperson said: "It took several weeks to chase down the devil causing the heart issue, during which Picott also underwent back surgery. In the end, this event of a freight train banging away in his chest informed Picott’s new album profoundly in both the writing and the recording.

"Alone with his modest recording gear [he also produces and mixes his own work], Picott set about making an album as honest, raw and uncontrived as his spine would allow.

"The new album is completely acoustic, featuring only guitar, harmonica and Picott’s weathered vocals. Already known for the intimacy and vivid narratives of his previous work, Tell The Truth & Shame The Devil opens the door wider still. Picott’s health is now in check."

A prolific writer, Picott has recently turned his hand to poetry with God In His Slippers, Murmuration via Mezcalita Press; short fiction in Out Past The Wires on Working Title Farm; and has a novel in the works titled A Bony Right Fist.

Born in the small mill town of South Berwick, Maine and residing in Nashville since 1994, it has been a successful career from the former construction worker.

For tickets to either show, visit the respective venues' websites.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.