Gig - Rod Picott Band

Rod Picott is the first of the acts that Barn D’Or promoter Mike Lance has put on for a second time at the distinctive canvas venue attached to the Anchor Inn, since he shifted his operations from ‘the under-appreciative’ Brighton venues The Greys and the Hanbury Ballrooms. He’s in a very buoyant mood about the move as, he tells me, his recent sell-out Tom Russell gig ‘actually made us both some money’. Promoting is self-confessedly ‘not a living and not a hobby’ for Mike according to his website so this is, it seems, something of a turn-up. Mike speaks highly of Rod Picott - and cites a number of high-profile musicians whose decision to record some of his songs is testament to their respect for him - a list which includes previous Anchor guest Fred Eaglesmith. “Rod’s probably best known as a song-writer”, says Mike - a point borne out by the fact that one of his songs, ‘Broke Down’, co-written with good friend Slaid Cleaves, was named Americana Song of the Year in 2000. “But he’s also a great performer”, he adds, “and always has a lot of patter and stories.” Rod brings with him an ‘All-American band’ made up of musicians who are well-respected in their own right, Mike tells me. So have you got any funny stories about him? I say, before I ring off. ‘You mean you want me to dish the dirt on him?’ Well. “I genuinely don’t have any”, Mike laughs. “He’s a bit of a clean-living act. But I’ll make sure I’ve got a grubby band for you next time”. ER