Appalachian Blues Lowdown With Scott Low

“The Appalachian region of the United States, renowned for its rugged beauty and rich cultural heritage, has long been a fertile ground for the blues. This unique blend of African American musical traditions, interwoven with Celtic and European influences, has given rise to a distinct style characterized by haunting vocals, intricate fingerpicking guitar techniques, and poignant lyrics that reflect the hardships and joys of life in the mountains.

Today we are chatting with Scott Low a guitarist from Clayton Georgia who resided in the Music Mecca Athens GA for 13 years and he is going to give us the lowdown on a few things about the the Appalachian blues and it background and discuss his guitar playing experiences over the years along with his influences and guitar choices and of course his upcoming releases and shows.

So Scott What Make The Appalachian Blues Different from Other Blues Styles?

I think a lot of folks kind of forget about East Coast/ Piedmont Blues. And the similarities it has with bluegrass and also Travis picking (alternating bass thumb with melodic fingers). Doc Watson, Elizabeth Cotton, John Jackson, Mississippi John Hurt. It’s a more major Blues but still with the same intent.Like this playing bass with thumb and unison vocal and guitar melody lines….

What guitar do you play mostly and why do you feel it’s best for that Appalachian blues sound?

In Oct of 2023 I got a 2012ish Regal Texas Tea Tricone metal body resonator. And my album The Appalachian Blues exploded from within. After a few different pickups and string gauges/styles I got it really dialed in for live/amplified performing. I ended up using Nickle flat wounds (I learned from Charlie Parr) which gives it a slightly more round warm sound than acoustic Bronze strings, also the flat wounds don’t give that zing when moving up and down fret board. It’s kind of a mix between a bottleneck reso sound and electric guitar. A more modern delta blues sound with me mashing Piedmont Blues and bluegrass into the sound.

You did a Jim Croce cover of Walking back to Georgia what is the guitar you are playing and why did you choose it to cover that tune in particular?

That is my old road dog Alvarez PD80. I played that guitar on tour for 10+ years. Had to put it back together a couple times from some unfortunate accidents.But it is still a great guitar!

Thanks for the interview Scott so where can readers find more of your music and hear you live or anything else you want to mention before we finish up

Well to start I would like to show you the lyrics from my latest work

All this anger pulling ya down
All this heartache making ya frown
Don’t you let them see the pain
Best go back to strutting round town

Too much work makes em a dull boy
Got too old and sold ya toys
Don’t get caught out here alone
Best go find somebody to enjoy

Hide you a dollar from yourself
Do something bad for ya health
Lay in the grass by yourself
Best find some joy as your wealth

Or you could keep rising up
Or ya could go find your “luck”
Go get lost out under the moon
Or just go out and get unstuck

Struttin’ Round Town is my new single and video. Struttin’ is the title track of a five song EP releasing January 30th 2025. I really tried to make some real Roots Blues. Resonator guitar, harp and vocals. But still incorporating my songwriter and jazz background. You can find videos and the whole album of the Appalachian Blues streaming where you listen to music (along with five previous more Americana folk albums, and previous band Efren).

We also just got the second run of clear orange vinyl for the Appalachian Blues that is shipping from my Bandcamp site. I play live in the Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina region. Usually two to five shows a week, solo up to a six-piece band aka Scott Low & The Southern Bouillon. PS look for a full-length album later 2025 of all grateful Dead Blues songs. The Grateful Blues is coming!