Singer-songwriter Rod Picott recently announced he was playing one final round of shows in the U.S. and Europe and would be hanging up his guitar. On Sunday, December 1, 2024, Picott brings the tour to the Belmar Arts Center. Kat reached out to learn more about the pending retirement and final shows.
Why now after 24 years in the Music Industry, do you feel it’s time to retire?
I’ve had other projects brewing for the last few years. I started writing fiction and finished a novel and another collection of short stories. I feel drawn in that direction now. Also, touring is getting more difficult. My body isn’t holding up to the rigors of the road like it used to. My "sell by" date is November 3rd 2025.
What was it like growing up in Maine? And were you an only child?
I was not an only child. I have a brother who is two years older than me. I also have two adopted sisters but I was gone from the house at that point so we didn’t grow up together.
Is Picott your real last name?
Picott is my last name. I’ve seen it spelled Picotte and Picot as well. I’m guessing the change was to anglicize the french out of the name.
You moved to Nashville in 1994, what inspired you to move there?
It seems crazy looking back. I didn’t know anything about Nashville and didn’t have a single contact in the city. I just knew that Nashville was filled with songwriters and that some of those songwriters made a living writing for publishing companies. That was my goal at the time. It was a crazy move and I’m so glad I bet on myself.
I’ll bet you have experienced SO many changes in Nashville, thru out the years, in your opinion what has been the best thing to happen to Nashville and the worse?
The worst thing is the over-growth. Nashville had quite a beautiful skyline back in 1994. A drive around the city now is basically a tour of one giant condo community. The construction is out of control. The best thing? Interesting question. There was a magical era for me I would say around 1999 or so. Country music was doing well and it brought a healthy level of growth that showed up in renovations of great old city buildings and commercial properties. Nashville was quite dire in 1994 but a few years later it was healthy and thriving. These days they just knock the great old buildings down but back then they were repairing the city.
When was the very first time you traveled across the pond? Was this for music or pleasure? How has it changed through out the years and what brings you back, time and time again?
I think I went to the U.K.for the first time in 2001. It was amazing. I’d been played on some big BBC radio shows so there was already an audience when I showed up. It’s always been for work. My whole life has been dedicated to this job since 2000. The only thing that has changed is that, with time, some promoters go out of business or decide to pack it in for various reasons. It honestly hasn’t changed much. I played some rooms last year that I played 24 years ago. The U.K. audience is wonderful. They are great listeners and patient as well.
What is the difference if any, between American Audiences and European Audiences?
American audiences want to be part of the show sometimes. They are more likely to talk during the show which can be distracting – but that’s not always the case. The European audiences tend to be more attentive listeners. They’ll ask question about specific verses and the work. It’s quite refreshing to have that level of interest. This answer doesn’t have the nuance I want it to have. It’s very much a generalization here but there is some truth in it. I once played a show in England and a fight nearly broke out when a few young lads were talking while I was playing. A couple of my listeners had words with them and they weren’t joking...
Do you have a favorite music venue in the US and why? A favorite state to perform and why?
I don’t have a favorite venue. There are so many great venues. I played a place in Sarasota Florida called Fogartyville Arts Center. It was possibly the best sound I’ve ever had – just beautiful acoustics and the sound man was stellar. So many things play into why a venue works or doesn’t and sometimes it’s just in the air on that particular night. I’ve played the Rosie’s Cafe House Concert series in Brick NJ more than any other series over the years. Brenda and George Wirth are wonderful hosts and it’s a very fun environment. People are packed in there elbow to elbow and a few on the stairs to the second floor. A great kind of energy happens when you get the room full – no matter how small it is.
I have to follow up with, where is your favorite place to perform across the pond and why?
To be honest it’s more about the crowd than the venue. Like I said when the room is full, even a tiny room, there is a kind of electricity that happens. It feels like we’re all having an experience together. There’s a warmth and a buzzing feeling that we all want the same thing. It’s hard to describe but it makes playing so much easier.
Had you ever wanted to be in a band ? Has being a solo singer songwriter given you personal freedom as a musician, fulfilling your personal dreams and aspirations?
I was in a few bands when I was young. It’s very, very difficult to pull off. Both of the bands I had were very inventive. The songs were not great but there was something interesting in there. But yes, playing solo is very freeing. You don’t need to stick to the set list. You can take off on any tangent at any moment you feel. A few days ago I sang a song I wrote with Amy Speace and at the end I kept the chorus going and started doing a Dylan impression. You can’t do things like that in a band. Dreams and aspirations? That’s tricky territory. I’ll quote my friend Slaid Cleaves, “I didn’t get what I wanted but I probably got what I deserved."
If you could have done anything differently looking back, what would it have been?
I would have been an actor. What a beautiful life to explore other people and to inhabit them; to step into the clothes of someone other than yourself and fly.
Do you have personal Musical Heroes and have you met them all to date? And how have they inspired you?
I do have musical heroes and I’ve met a few. Lucinda Williams, Springsteen, Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson. Gillian Welch is a beautiful songwriter. I was quite friendly with Gill and Dave years ago. The inspiration is all in the work – not the person. It’s easy to forget that. The work is the best part of all artists. Bruce was quite friendly and put up with me for a few minutes.
What’s ahead for Rod Picott?
Writing, writing writing…novels, a memoir, short stories, feeding the donkeys, and long conversations with Stoney the one-eyed cat I share with my girlfriend.
Is there anything about you that would surprise your closest friends and fans?
My closest friends know what a train wreck I can be, that’s why they are the closest friends. I don’t have a lot of friends and like a lot of men in middle age I don’t make new friends easily but the handful I have are absolutely the best. I prefer “listeners” to “fans”. I can’t think of myself as having a career that warrants “fans”. It’s a small distinction but it feels like hubris to say I have “fans”. I don’t think I have any surprises. I’m pretty much the guy you see on stage. I work very hard. I love to laugh and have a slightly wicked sense of humor that sneaks out some nights. I do have a temper I try hard to keep in it’s holster.
Is there anything I have not asked you, that you feel you would like to share?
I’m grateful. This is the only job I ever wanted. It was a dream for an awkward and very shy kid from rural Maine. What were the chances I would be able to make a living doing this? I had no connections at all and virtually no talent. I’m proud of that kid who didn’t give up. I was the guy everyone said could not do this. “You can’t sing.” “You can’t play.” “You look uncomfortable onstage.” I heard all that stuff and more. I am walking proof that while you might not get exactly what you’re dreaming of – you can get some version of it if you are willing to really fight for yourself…but you have to fight for it.
Rod Picott will be at the Belmar Arts Center (608 River Road) in Belmar on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Doors are at 3:00pm, showtime is 3:30pm. For more information visit https://www.belmararts.org/music--events.html
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