As nineteenth century US senator Daniel Webster said, “When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers therefore are the founders of human civilization.” In the case of Darrell Scott, he mastered one of the arts that followed so well that it became possible to try his hand at music’s ancient ancestor, the equally challenging, mysterious and at turns joyous endeavor of farming.

I sat with Darrell Scott in Greer, South Carolina on a beautiful spring afternoon in May at the Albino Skunk Music Festival, where he played with Bryn Davies on bass and Jeff Sipe on drums in what he dubs his Electrifying Trio. Our conversation ranged from topics like his love of electric guitar, to some favorite collaborations from his decades-long career, life on his 500 plus acre farm near Cookeville, Tennessee, his favorite cover of one of his signature songs, to how he came to own Guy Clark’s old orange Scout. Included here are many excerpts of his music, including Darrell’s favorite cover of “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive”.

Darrell Scott with Jeff Sipe on drums and Bryn Davies on bass at their Albino Skunk Music Festival performance on May 13, 2022

Songs heard in this episode:

“Long Time Gone” by Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott, from Real Time

“(Have You Ever Been Down To) Colorado” by Darrell Scott, from Jaroso, excerpt

“(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle” by Darrell Scott, from Darrell Scott Sings the Blues of Hank Williams, excerpt

“You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” by Patty Loveless, from Mountain Soul, excerpt

“River Take Me” by Darrell Scott, from Live at the Station Inn, excerpt]

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Southern Songs and Stories is a part of the podcast lineup of Osiris Media, with all of the Osiris shows available here. You can also hear new episodes of this podcast on Bluegrass Planet Radio here. Thanks to Corrie Askew for producing the radio adaptations of this series on public radio WNCW, and to Joshua Meng, who wrote and performed our theme songs. This is Southern Songs and Stories: the music of the South and the artists who make it. - Joe Kendrick

Artist stereotypes do not apply

How many times have parents cringed when their children fell in love with a musician? Let's be honest, the world has looked askance at artists of all stripes (with notable exceptions) for most of our history. Musicians tend to be thought of as people who may be great at their art but who are nonetheless pretty bad at life skills like paying bills, getting to work on time, and sticking with the missus.

Aaron turns all those stereotypes on their head; he is not only a fantastic songwriter and musician, but he also runs his own construction business and is a devoted family man living a stone's throw from where he grew up in the western NC mountains. He is as meticulous and intense about his guitar and ballads as he is about his green built homes and raising his two girls.

As you'll see in our pilot episode, Aaron does both life and art exceptionally well. The folks around him are a big part of that.