Songwriter Brings “House Concert” To Arsaga’s
Picott’s Resume Includes Work With Slaid Cleaves, Alison Krauss
Last updated Thursday, October 19, 2006 3:10 PM CDT in Entertainment
By Joseph Askins
The Morning News
“I got it in my head that I could play a house concert in every state, and it’s gotten more and more fun as I’ve actually pursued it,” Rod Picott said Wednesday.
“Of course, I’m having trouble finding anyone in the Dakotas or Idaho who knows who I am and wants to host, but I’ve made it to 36 or 37 other states already.”
Picott isn’t a stranger to the road. The songwriter from South Berwick, Maine, has toured the United States and Europe steadily for the past five years and has been a “road dog” for the past three, playing as many as 140 shows a year.
But even though he released an album titled “Girl From Arkansas” nearly two years ago, the singer with the Springsteen voice has never played a concert in the Natural State. That changes this weekend, however, when Picott performs at a house concert in Little Rock on Saturday and at Arsaga’s Espresso Cafe on Crossover Road in Fayetteville on Sunday.
“It’s an interesting experience for the audience and the performer,” Picott said about his house concerts. “There’s no formality in the room, no stage, no separation that says the musician is up here and everyone else is down there.”
“A lot of times the audience at a house concert is a different group of people than what you get at a club. They’re music lovers who don’t want to hang out in a smoky bar. They want to be comfortable. They really want to soak it in.”
Picott grew up on a mix of his father’s records (which ranged from John Philip Sousa to Ray Charles, according to his Web site) and his brother’s collection (Patti Smith and the Clash) and spent his teenage years playing the bass guitar in garage bands.
“We’d scour our records looking for songs that only had three chords,” he said. “We’d play ‘Brand New Cadillac’ from The Clash’s ‘London Calling’ because it was the only song on there that didn’t have four chords.”
Band life eventually gave way to solo songwriting, and Picott moved from coastal New England to Boulder, Colo., where he performed on streets and “retaught myself how to play and write songs.” He took a set of songs to Nashville, Tenn., in 1994, and in 2001 released his first album, “Tiger Tom Dixon’s Blues.”
Many people have discovered Picott not through his own albums and concerts, however, but rather through his work with other songwriters. He has collaborated with Canadian singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith and has written several popular songs with his childhood friend, Slaid Cleaves, including the Americana radio hit “Broke Down.” His second album, “Stray Dogs,” featured backing vocals from Alison Krauss.
He also produced Cleaves’ latest album, “Unsung,” which Rounder Records released in May. Producing, while not as inspiring as writing and performing, is a “purely creative” process that Picott enjoys and hopes to continue.
“When you’re doing your own album, you’re conscious of your audience, and even if you don’t play to it, it’s still in your mind. When you’re producing someone else’s material, you lose those sort of inhibitions, and you’re less self-conscious,” he said.
Picott recently returned from a tour of the United Kingdom, where he performed in pubs and on patios. He’s pleased with the cult status he has achieved in Europe and believes he’s “knocking on the door” at greater popularity on the continent.
“They’re different audiences over there,” he said. “They really listen. You can go into a noisy little pub and start playing, and everybody just shuts up and listens. You get the feeling like there’s a real interest, that people are really paying attention.”
“Girl From Arkansas,” Picott’s third studio album, came out in 2004. He has high hopes for his next record, which is near completion.
“Four albums in six years is working at a pretty good clip nowadays,” he said. “I have my fingers crossed that I can find someone who’s excited about it. I think there are a few songs on this record that have a wider appeal.”
Faithful fans and curious listeners may hear a few of those songs at 7 p.m. Sunday at Arsaga’s on Crossover. Admission is $10.
Cate Brothers
Cutting Back
The Cate Brothers haven’t unplugged their amps and sold their instruments, but they have decided to bring an end to their weekly concerts and tours.
Keyboardist Ernie Cate on Tuesday said that he, his brother, Earl, and the other members of Northwest Arkansas’ legendary blues-rock band have decided to slow things down after decades spent in bars and concert halls.
“We’ve been playing for over 40 years, and it’s just time to take a break from it all,” Ernie Cate said. “I’m almost 64 and feel it’s time to spend a little more time with my wife and my grandchild.
“Back when we were putting albums out in the ’70s, we might spend a couple months writing instead of playing out, but for the past 25 years or so, we’ve been playing just about every weekend.”
Earl and Ernie formed The Del-Rays with singer Ken Owens in the early 1960s and played regularly in a local music scene that included the likes of Ronnie Hawkins and Levon Helm.
The Cates released four albums between 1975 and 1980 and hit the Top 10 on the rock charts with the single “Union Man.” They also performed as members of The Band in the early 1980s.
The Cate Brothers do hope to record a new album at some point and have not ruled out playing larger festivals and events periodically, Ernie said. The band still has live dates scheduled through the rest of this year, including a 6 p.m. happy-hour show at George’s Majestic Lounge today. Admission is $3 at the door.
Hunkr Down
Drops ‘Treats’
Fayetteville’s home to plenty of talented singer-songwriters who showcase their original compositions on a nightly basis. But it’s also filled with a lot of people who want nothing more than to sing along to “Purple Rain” every few weeks, and that’s exactly what Hunkr Down has helped folks do for years.
But it’s been 10 years since the carefree bar band released an album of original material. That doesn’t mean its members have given up on writing new songs; according to lead singer Kyle Gibson, Hunkr Down in recent years simply found the studio less comfortable than the stage.
“The studio is not a place we felt we excelled,” Gibson said Wednesday. “We didn’t feel we had captured what we really could do on our first two recordings.
“But we’re older, we have money now, so we said, ‘Let’s finally put these down and do it the right way. Let’s spend the time, let’s spend the money, and let’s make something we can be proud of.’”
That “something” became “Treats,” an album of new songs, a couple of re-recorded originals, a live track and covers like The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.” Hunkr Down will unveil the new collection during a CD release party at George’s Majestic Lounge garden on Saturday. Bleu Edmondson will perform on the venue’s lounge stage that evening.
The band will play at 10 p.m. Admission is $7. Copies of “Treats” will be on sale for $10 apiece; the album will also be available at local record stores on Monday, Gibson said.
LIVE! In NWA
Music Now
Friday
ARSAGA’S ESPRESSO CAFE: Lyal Strickland, 8 p.m.
THE BAYOU: Little Hoojin, 9:30 p.m.
BELLE ARTI: Live music, 6:30 p.m.
BUFFALO WILD WINGS: Live music, 8 p.m.
THE DART ROOM: Death Mistress, Anthony Bale, DJ Azrael, 9 p.m.
THE DELICIOUS: American Princes, Cory Branan, The Contingencies, 8 p.m.
GEORGE’S MAJESTIC LOUNGE: The Cate Brothers, 6 p.m.; Garaj Mahal, Sarah Hughes, 9:30 p.m.
THE GREEN DOOR: The Scott Ellison Band, 8 p.m.
THE GYPSY: Joe Giles & the Homewreckers, 9:30 p.m.
THE ICE HOUSE OF BENTONVILLE: Cold Front, 10 p.m.
JOE’S BISTRO: Morgan Smith, 7 p.m.
ON THE ROCKS: The American Years, 10 p.m.
THE PERK ON WEDINGTON: Open mic, 7 p.m.
TONY C’S ITALIAN GARDENS: Project Shelby, 10 p.m.
U.S. PIZZA: Matt & Gus Smith, 7 p.m.
Saturday
ARSAGA’S ESPRESSO CAFE: Effron White, 9 p.m.
THE BAYOU: Chilly Moon, 9:30 p.m.
BELLE ARTI: Live music, 6:30 p.m.
COFFEE CORNER: Any Ol’ Joe, 7 p.m.
THE DART ROOM: Hellaback, Starving Europa, Vore, 10 p.m.
THE DELICIOUS: The Peppermints, Holy Ghost Children, Wooly Mammoth, 8 p.m.
FATTY HACKERS: Last Call, 8 p.m.
GEORGE’S MAJESTIC LOUNGE: Hunkr Down, Bleu Edmondson, 10 p.m.
THE GREEN DOOR: The Charlotte Taylor Band, 8 p.m.
THE GYPSY: Full Flava Kings, 9:30 p.m.
THE ICE HOUSE OF BENTONVILLE: Cold Front, 10 p.m.
JAMMIN’ JAVA: Market Morning Music, 8 a.m.; Live music, 1 p.m.; Local jazz jam, 7 p.m.
JOE’S BISTRO: Sarah Hughes, 7 p.m.
THE LITTLE O’ OPREY: Live music, 7 p.m.
MUDD TOWN FALL FESTIVAL: Phil McGarrah & Runnin’ on Empty, 7 p.m.
THE MUSIC HALL: The Goodnight Fight, The Thesis, 8 p.m.
THE PERK ON WEDINGTON: The Sallings Brothers, 8 p.m.
RYLEIGH’S SPORTS & MORE: Windy Austin & the Hot House Tomato Boys, 9:30 p.m.
TANGERINE: DJ Scott, 10 p.m.
TEATRO SCARPINO: End: The DJ, Silent Mike, The Red Moon Tribe, 9 p.m.
TONY C’S ITALIAN GARDENS: Project Shelby, 10 p.m.
Music Later
Sunday
ARSAGA’S ESPRESSO CAFE: Rod Picott, 7 p.m.
COMMON GROUNDS: DJ SoulFree, 11 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
COPELAND’S OF NEW ORLEANS: The Claudia Burson Trio, 11 a.m.
GEORGE’S MAJESTIC LOUNGE: Sarah Hughes, 10 p.m.
Monday
BELLE ARTI: Live music, 6:30 p.m.
CATFISH JOHN’S: The Catfish Gang, 6 p.m.
THE GYPSY: Stellar’s Jay, Jon Krane, 9:30 p.m.
JAMMIN’ JAVA: Live jazz music, 7 p.m.
THE PERK ON WEDINGTON: Open jam, 7 p.m.
PESTO CAFE: Darren Ray, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
BELLE ARTI: Live music, 6:30 p.m.
COPELAND’S OF NEW ORLEANS: Clint Scrivner, 8 p.m.
THE GREEN DOOR: The Robert Hatfield Band, 7 p.m.
THE GYPSY: Cecil the Cat, 9:30 p.m.
JAMMIN’ JAVA: Open Celtic jam, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday
BELLE ARTI: Live music, 6:30 p.m.
THE DELICIOUS: Middle Picker, KCD Explosion, 8 p.m.
GEORGE’S MAJESTIC LOUNGE: Markham Hill, 9:30 p.m.
THE GREEN DOOR: Redemption, 7 p.m.
THE GYPSY: Haliburton, 9:30 p.m.
IRON HORSE COFFEE COMPANY: The Rogers Jazz Soceity, 5 p.m.
JOSE’S SOUTHWEST GRILLE: The Claudia Burson Trio, 7 p.m.
U.S. PIZZA: Adam Hood, 7 p.m.
Thursday
BELLE ARTI: Live music, 6:30 p.m.
BORDINO’S: The Burson/Starr Trio, Steve Wilkes, 9 p.m.
DICKSON THEATER: Lucero, Rocky Votolato, William Elliot Whitmore, 8 p.m.
GEORGE’S MAJESTIC LOUNGE: Phix, The Tiffany Christopher Band, 9 p.m.
THE GREEN DOOR: Little Hoojin, 7 p.m.
THE GYPSY: Subtonix, 9:30 p.m.
THE ICE HOUSE OF BENTONVILLE: SoundChild Crew & DJ Mixx Tenn, 10 p.m.
PESTO CAFE: Kevin Bennoch, 7 p.m.
POWERHOUSE SEAFOOD & GRILL: Ultra Suede, 7 p.m.
TANGERINE: DJ Scott, 10 p.m.
ARSAGA’S ESPRESSO CAFE, 1852 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville; THE BAYOU, 115 N. Dixieland Road in Rogers; BELLE ARTI, 117 W. Walnut St. in Rogers; BORDINO’S, 310 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville (527-6795); BUFFALO WILD WINGS, 2707 Moberly Lane in Bentonville; CATFISH JOHN’S, 669 E. Robinson Ave. in Springdale; COFFEE CORNER, 813 W. Central Ave. in Bentonville; COMMON GROUNDS, 412 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville; COPELAND’S OF NEW ORLEANS, 463 N. 46th St. in Rogers; THE DART ROOM, 1930 College Ave. in Fayetteville; DEJA VU, 3404 S.E. Macy Road in Bentonville; FATTY HACKERS, 2005 S. Thompson St. in Springdale; THE FLYING BURRITO COMPANY, 509 W. Spring St. in Fayetteville; FOGHORN’S, 2175 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville; FRISCO PARK, 300 S. First St. in Rogers; GEORGE’S MAJESTIC LOUNGE, 519 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville; GOODFOLK PRODUCTIONS, 229 N. Block Ave. in Fayetteville; THE GREEN DOOR, 1404 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville; THE GYPSY, 402 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville; HERMAN’S RIB HOUSE, 2901 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville; THE ICE HOUSE OF BENTONVILLE, 406 S.E. 5th St. in Bentonville; IRON HORSE COFFEE COMPANY, 220 S. First St. in Rogers; JAMMIN’ JAVA, 21 W. Mountain St. in Fayetteville; JOE’S BISTRO, 3061 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville; JOSE’S SOUTHWEST GRILLE, 5240 W. Sunset Ave. in Springdale; JOSE’S STREETSIDE, 324 W Dickson St. in Fayetteville; THE LITTLE O’ OPREY, 271 W. Campbell St. in West Fork; THE METROPLEX, 2305 S. Eighth St. in Rogers; THE MUSIC HALL, 2147 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville; OZARK MOUNTAIN SMOKEHOUSE, 205 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville; THE PERK ON WEDINGTON, 3980 Wedington Drive in Fayetteville; PESTO CAFE, 1830 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville; POWERHOUSE SEAFOOD & GRILL, 112 N. University Ave. in Fayetteville; RANDAL TYSON TRACK CENTER, 1380 S. Beechwood Ave. in Fayetteville; RESTAURANT ON THE CORNER/THE GRILL, 3582 Arkansas 112 North in Fayetteville; TANGERINE, 21 N. Block Ave. in Fayetteville; TEATRO SCARPINO, 329 N. West Ave. in Fayetteville; TONY C’S BAR & GRILL, 1313 N. Garland Ave. in Fayetteville; TONY C’S ITALIAN GARDENS, 14528 Arkansas 12 East in Rogers; TONY C’S OFF DICKSON, 326 N. West Ave. in Fayetteville; U.S. PIZZA, 202 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville; THE WELL HOUSE TAVERN, 4111 S. Thompson St. in Springdale
All times are subject to change. Information may be submitted by contacting Joseph Askins at 872-5051 or jaskins@nwaonline.net or by faxing announcements to 872-5055. The deadline to be included is NOON Tuesday to be listed the following Friday. The listing is free.
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WriglyB wrote on Apr 22, 2007 9:50 PM: