* Bull Run Concert Series - Rod Picott & Amanda Shires

A yankee singer-songwriter and a Texas fiddler might seem an unlikely pairing but the natural chemistry between Rod Picott and Amanda Shires is undeniable. They met at the Folk Alliance Conference in Austin Tx in 2006 and have played more than 150 shows together. In '08 they began co-writing and recording their debut debut duo release, "Sew Your Heart with Wires", which they are now touring to support. The album is a completely acoustic recording featuring only their two voices, Picott's guitar and Shires' fiddle and Ukulele. All ten tracks were co-written by Picott and Shires.

In 1994 Rod Picott moved to Nashville TN where he established himself as one of the better new writers in town. Besides opening shows for Alison Krauss & Union Station and Gillian Welch, he co-wrote "Broke Down" with Slaid Cleaves which was the most played song on Americana radio in 2001. Rod has released 5 albums since 2001 to stellar reviews. 

At 16 Amanda Shires was playing fiddle with The Texas Playboys. From there she went on to be one of the founding members of Lubbock's Thrift Store Cowboys. In 2008 one of her compositions was featured on NPR's All Songs Considered. Her first solo album release "Being Brave" mixes brilliant arrangements and performances of traditional fiddle music with several of her own compositions. She also plays the fiddle player in Gwyneth Paltrow's band in the new movie Country Strong.