A former construction worker [born and raised in Maine] turned traveling troubadour, Rod Picott's songs are filled with the gritty characters and revelatory details of a life spent at the margins of the American dream. Boxers and welders, dreamers, drinkers and circus workers live side by side in the melodic and visual songs Picott has been touring behind for fourteen years.
In 1994 Rod Picott moved to Nashville TN. where he established himself as one of the better new writers in town. In 1998 Picott toured as the opening act for Alison Krauss and Union Station. His co-write " Broke Down" with Slaid Cleaves was the most played song on Americana radio in 2001 and 2002. Rod Picott has released 7 albums since 2001 to stellar reviews both stateside and overseas.
Julian Piper of Acoustic Magazine said, "Accept Rod Picott for what he is; Americana of the highest order". Keith Clark echoed that statement in the Bristol Review, "The world of Americana music has recognised that Rod is one of the finest singer-songwriters on the scene today. It really is about time that everybody else caught on to that fact."
Picott is currently touring in support of his new cd "Hang Your Hopes On A Crooked Nail". "Hang Your Hopes" is a fully realized songwriting marvel filled with characters so vivid the songs play like intimate 3 minute movies. Picott's ragged and soulful voice spins songs of loss, desire, rapture and work while haunting mandolin and tenor guitar wind elegantly throughout the album. Hang Your Hopes On A Crooked Nail is an album about scars of the skin and scars of the heart. Two songs; "You're Not Missing Anything", and "Dreams" are co-written by Rod's longtime collaborator Slaid Cleaves. Hang Your Hopes On A Crooked Nail spent 20 weeks on the AMA chart and reached #22. Rod Picott was voted 2011 Songwriter of the Year by the Freeform American Roots Radio Chart reporters.
Picott's song "Trouble Girl" was featured in the FX television series Justified earlier this year. A Rod Picott/ Slaid Cleaves co-write is featured in the 2010 Brian Koppelman directed film "Solitary Man" starring Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, and Danny Devito. Picott's own "Circus Girl" was featured in the 2010 PBS documentary Circus.
The Saint is located at 601 Main Street in Asbury Park, NJ. For tickets, more information and show details go to www.rodpicott.com
