We all know and love songs like the Dixie Chicks’ hit “Long Time Gone,” Travis Tritt’s “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive,” and one of the baddest country songs of all time, Brad Paisley’s “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive.”
However, what if I told you all three of those songs were covers, and all written by one phenomenal songwriter?
That’s right, let me introduce you to Darrell Scott, one of the greatest songwriters in country music, who you’ve probably never heard of.
A little rundown, Scott was born in London, Kentucky, and moved to East Gary, Indiana when he was young.
He later moved to Southern California, and was playing music professionally in his teens.
He appeared on several albums in the ’90s, playing the banjo, Dobro, guitar, bass, and pedal steel for country stars like Randy Travis, Guy Clark, Doug Stone, and Martina McBride, according to All Music.
However, although an incredibly gifted musician, he proved that songwriting was one of his greatest gifts.
He wrote “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive,” which was originally recorded by Jon Randall, and later recorded by Travis Tritt in 2000, with tweaked lyrics from Scott’s original 1997 version.
The Dixie Chicks have covered two songs written by Scott, with “Long Time Gone,” and “Heartbreak Town.”
He’s also the mastermind behind “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive,” which he originally released on his 1997 album Aloha From Nashville, and has been covered by Brad Paisley, Montgomery Gentry, Patty Loveless, and a number of others.
Check out some of his original recordings here:
