James Darrell Scott, known as Darrell Scott (born August 6, 1959),[1] is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. The son of musician Wayne Scott, he moved as a child to East Gary, Indiana (known today as Lake Station, Indiana). He was playing professionally by his teens in Southern California. Later, Darrell moved to Toronto then Boston. He attended Tufts University, where he studied poetry and literature. He has lived in Nashville, Tennessee, since about 1995. He has written several mainstream country hits, and he has also established himself as one of Nashville's premier session instrumentalists. His younger brother, David Scott, occasionally accompanies Darrell on the keyboard.
| Darrell Scott | |
|---|---|
 Darrell Scott at the Cactus Cafe in Austin, Texas. Photo by Ron Baker (2011). | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Darrell Scott |
| Born | August 6, 1959 London, Kentucky, United States |
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, mandolin |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Labels | Sugar Hill, Full Light |
Musical career
Scott has collaborated with Steve Earle, Sam Bush, Emmylou Harris, John Cowan, Verlon Thompson, Guy Clark, Tim O'Brien, Kate Rusby, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Mary Gauthier, Dan Tyminski, and many others. His music has attracted a growing fanbase, and he tours regularly with his own band. His album, Crooked Road, was released May 25, 2010.[2]In early 2005, Scott's Theatre of the Unheard won in The 4th Annual Independent Music Awards for Album of the Year.[3]
He won the 2007 Song of the Year award from the Americana Music Association for his song "Hank William's Ghost"[4] which appears on his album The Invisible Man released in 2006.
In 2010, he was announced as part of the Band of Joy, alongside Robert Plant, credited as performing vocals, mandolin, guitar, accordion, pedal, lap steel and banjo.
In 2010, Brad Paisley's cover of the song "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" was the closing song played on the TV drama Justified during the final scene of the final episode of the first season. It was used again in the final episode of the second season.[5] The fourth season's final episode used a version by Dave Alvin.[6] The fifth season's final episode used a version by the Ruby Friedman Orchestra.[7] The final episode of the series featured the original composition by Darrell Scott himself.[8]
In January 2011, his album A Crooked Road won the award for the Country Album category from The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards.[9]
Songs by Darrell Scott covered by other musicians
- "It's a Great Day to Be Alive" – Travis Tritt, Cory Morrow
- "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" – Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea, Murder By Death (band), Red Molly, Dave Alvin, Ruby Friedman Orchestra, Maxida Märak, Jonah Michea Judy, and Downhill Bluegrass Band[10]
- "Long Time Gone" – The Chicks
- "We've Got Nothing But Love to Prove" – Faith Hill
- "Proving You Wrong" – Keb' Mo'
- "Out In The Parking Lot" – Guy Clark, Brad Paisley with Alan Jackson
- "River Take Me" – Montgomery Gentry, Sam Bush
- "Heartbreak Town" – The Chicks
- "Head South" – Robinella
- "Family Tree" – Darryl Worley
- "With A Memory Like Mine" – John Cowan, Mountain Heart
- "Love's Not Through With Me Yet" – Johnsmith
- "Daddy Lessons" – Beyoncé (remix with The Chicks sampled Long Time Gone)
- "It's Another Day" - Tim O'Brien on Traveler
- "Uncle Lloyd" - The Steel Woods
Singles composed with others
Discography
| Year | Title | Label | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country [11] | US Heat [12] | US Folk [13] | US Grass [14] | |||
| 1997 | Aloha From Nashville | JustUs | — | — | — | — |
| 1999 | Family Tree | Sugar Hill | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | Real Time (with Tim O'Brien) | Full Light | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | Theatre of the Unheard | — | — | — | — | |
| 2004 | Live in NC (with Danny Thompson and Kenny Malone) | — | — | — | — | |
| 2006 | The Invisible Man | — | — | — | — | |
| 2008 | Modern Hymns | Appleseed | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | A Crooked Road | Full Light | — | 32 | 13 | — |
| 2012 | Long Ride Home | 55 | 22 | 14 | — | |
| Live: We're Usually a Lot Better Than This (with Tim O'Brien) | 64 | 35 | — | 3 | ||
| 2013 | Memories and Moments (with Tim O'Brien) | Full Skies | 36 | 9 | 13 | 2 |
| 2015 | Ten: Songs of Ben Bullington | Full Light | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | Couchville Sessions | 41 | 24 | 21 | — | |
| 2020 | Sings the Blues of Hank Williams[15] | — | — | — | — | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||
Awards
References
External links
- Official Website
- Darrell Scott at AllMusic
- Darrell Scott discography at Discogs
- "Wayne and Darrell Scott: Father-Son Country", Fresh Air from WHYY-FM, July 3, 2006
- WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour, Archive, see episodes #103, #109, #326, #584
- Darrell Scott's audio series released each new moon
- Songwriting courses taught by Darrell Scott