Americana UK has the enormous pleasure of premiering ‘Next Man in Line‘, a new song from Rod Picott taken from his upcoming new album ‘Starlight Tour‘ – his 12th album in a 23 years plus musical career. The recently completed album, recorded in late July is due for release on October 20th, and Rod will be undertaking a 30-date European tour in support of the album, which kicks off in the UK on September 19th, taking in dates in Ireland and the Netherlands before concluding in Norway at the end of October.
Rod Picott told Americana UK a little about the song and the accompanying lyric video: “‘Next Man In Line’ is both a literal and metaphorical question. For the last three years I’ve been taking care of my father when I’m not touring. He’s 83. I’m watching a once vibrant and spirited man slowly fade into that long goodbye. The process is both tender and tough and brings with it questions of my own mortality; questions I’ve never confronted. Time will unwind. Someday he’ll be gone and I will be the last man in line. The song explores that unanswered question. How does it feel to be the next man in line? It’s a song that exists in the secret of time to come and the very now.
The video was an experiment. I have hundreds of photos from very talented photographers. Many of them are incredibly generous with their work. I poured through the large collection looking for shots I felt captured what my live show feels like. There is a certain weight to my work, though there are many moments of levity as well. For this song, the more serious shots seemed to sit better. The last photograph is of my family. I found it to be a bit moving to take a very long look back to when I was not the next man in line and my father was young and filled with life. I love his unguarded smile.“
The full tour dates can be found here and the UK and Ireland dates are:
September 19 2023: HIGH WYCOMBE (Buckinghamshire) – Kingsmead House Concert Tickets
September 20 2023: CHIDHAM (West Sussex) – The Old Malt House (Chidham Village Hall) Tickets
September 22 2023: CLONMEL (Co. Tipperary, Ireland) – Jerry Moynihans Pub (Back room venue) Tickets
September 23 2023 CALLAN (CO Kilkeny Ireland) Fennellys Callan
September 24 2023: DUBLIN – The Tarred and Feathered Folk Session LIAM BOYLAN +353 862757707 OR Tickets
September 25 2023: HOLLYWOOD (Co. Wcklow Ireland) Tutty’s https://www.facebook.com/events/966234174591907 Tickets
September 26 2023: LISTOWEL (Co. Kerry, Ireland) – St John’s Theatre Tickets
September 29 2023: KIRTON-in-LINDSEY (North Lincolnshire) – Town Hall Live Tickets
September 30 2023: FLITCHAM (West Norfolk) – Flitcham Social Club Tickets
October 1 2023: OXTED (Surrey) – Americana Hall at Hurst Green Community Centre (one day Americana festival) Tickets
October 2 2023: SHEFFIELD – Wagon Wheel Presents @ Greystones Tickets
October 3 2023: BRISTOL – Hen & Chicken Tickets
October 4 2023: LONDON (Leytonstone) – What’s Cookin’ @ Leytonestone Social Club Tickets
October 5 2023: ALREWAS (Burton-on-Trent Staffordshire) The Bank Coffee House Venue
October 6 2023: GREAT EASTON (Leicestershire) – House Concert Tickets
October 7 2023: NEWCASTLE – Jumpin’ Hot Club @ The Globe Tickets
October 8 2023: GLASGOW – The Glad Cafe (as part of Glasgow Americana 2023) Tickets
October 11 2023: BIDDULPH (Staffordshire) – Biddulph Up In Arms @ St Lawrence’s Church Tickets
October 12 2023: NOTTINGHAM – Cosmic Americana @ The Running Horse Tickets
October 13 2023: THAME (Oxfordshire) – Empty Rooms Promotions @ Listening Room Tickets
Great track … looking forward to the new album. I’ve seen Rod a few times and I am eagerly anticipating his Kirton in Lindsey gig at the end of the month.