CHAMPIONED by Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2 and the niche magazines No Depression and Maverick, Americana singer-songwriter Rod Picott plays a seated show at the Duchess, York, on Tuesday night.

After spending many years busking on the coffeehouse circuit in Boston, Massachusetts, Picott landed his career breakthrough when he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He ran a weekly songwriter showcase there called The Fireside Whiskey Hour, eventually catching the ear of bluegrass star Alison Krauss.

After he opened Krauss’s shows on her 1997 tour, his songs were covered subsequently by Slaid Cleaves, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Fred Eaglesmith. Broke Down, written and recorded by Picott and Cleaves, featured in Michael Douglas’s 2009 film Solitary Man.

For an extra treat, promoter Joe Coates has signed up Frank Vignola as the support act. “An outstanding guitar player, Frank was great here last year and it’s a pleasure to have him back,” says Joe. “His stunning virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Wynton Marsalis, Tommy Emmanuel, the New York Pops and guitar legend Les Paul.”

Tickets for the unreserved seating cost £12 in advance on 0844 477 1000 or £14 on the door from 7.30pm.