FLW’s new ‘off-the-water’ talent
Country music artist Dylan Scott embarks on bass-fishing road trip
One of the great aspects of professional fishing is the influx of new talent each year. The 2012 season saw anglers such as Jacob Wheeler and Clent Davis step to the forefront and many expect rookie pros Brandon McMillan and Casey Martin to follow suit. One certainty in the new talent department for 2013 is Dylan Scott.
Scott however, isn’t your typical newbie. In fact, he’s not even a pro angler; he’s an up-and-coming country music artist. The 22-year-old Scott will be performing live at the final five Walmart FLW Tour stops and the Forrest Wood Cup. He’ll be making a cameo appearance at the season opener on Lake Okeechobee to acquaint with the stage/equipment and perhaps test the vocals by bellowing a national anthem or two. Scott is the latest from a pipeline of country music stars who have partnered with FLW, including Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Craig Morgan, Blake Shelton and Tracy Byrd, among others.
While Scott is new to the FLW Tour, he’s no stranger to the outdoors. He grew up in rural northeast Louisiana in the tiny town of Bastrop.
“I’m proud to say I’m from the middle of nowhere,” Scott remarked. “I grew up a huge deer hunter and a huge fan of the outdoors. I’ve fished my entire life, but I wasn’t the guy who woke up at daylight to go bass fishing. If I was getting up that early, it was to deer hunt. When we were young, we did a lot of pond fishing around the house for catfish and bream. And my dad and I bass fished Poverty Point, so I’m no stranger to throwing spinnerbaits and topwaters.
“Growing up, I was basically just a regular kid in rural Louisiana. When I moved to Nashville I thought that was like moving up north. I was really worried nobody hunted or fished, but everybody does, thankfully. The great thing about Nashville is that you can be in the city one minute and then out in the country the next.”
A regular kid in many ways, but one that also was blessed with a smooth, baritone voice. Scott dreamed of a career in music the way many young anglers aspire to fish professionally. It sounds prophetic, but Scott almost knew, even at a young age, that music was his calling.
“My dad was in the business and it sounds funny now but when I was young I thought everybody grows up, goes to Nashville and becomes a singer. When I was in fourth grade we were given this assignment and I ended up writing this little storybook and it was all about becoming an artist. I have followed that book almost to a `T.’ Music is all I’ve ever known.”
As he matured, Scott played the prestigious Louisiana Hayride and won the local final for the Colgate Country Music Showdown. In 2009, he won the Neal McCoy East Texas Angel Network Talent Contest. Scott remains proud of the fact he sang at church every week of his youth.
“I signed at the age of 19. A lot of people come to Nashville at 19, but they don’t get many opportunities, so I’ve been really fortunate.”
After signing with Sidewalk Records, Scott was approached by his manager with the opportunity to travel and perform in conjunction with the 2013 FLW Tour.
“I will admit at first I had heard of FLW, but I didn’t know a lot about it. So then I asked my buddies and they all love FLW and thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I was sold.”
Scott said he’s never been to any of the venues on the schedule, other than the Shreveport Forrest Wood Cup, which takes place in his home state. But he’s excited to hit the road and won’t be alone either as his entire five-member band is joining him. Included in the crew is his 19-year-old brother, who plays the guitar. The band just finished their first album with famed producer Jim Ed Norman, self-titled “Dylan Scott” and the first single, “Makin’ This Boy Go Crazy” is set to be released Feb. 12.
Scott won’t just be playing with the FLW Tour this spring. He has several other concerts and appearances slated on an increasingly-busy schedule that doesn’t slow down until May. But performances and appearances are just part of life for an up-and-coming star, just ask Wheeler and Davis.
“I’m excited to see some new country, I really am,” concluded Scott. “I look forward to performing at the weigh-ins and being part of the festivities. I just hope the FLW fans accept me and enjoy my music.”
For more information on Dylan Scott, his debut album or his performances on the 2013 FLW Tour, visit his website at www.dylanscottmusic.com.