Born in San Antonio, Texas, Jeremy Parsons grew up soaking in the sounds of Texas music in the dancehalls of the Lone Star State. Jeremy was always a fan of music, but it wasn't until his later high school years that he discovered his knack for it. Driven by his passion, he taught himself to play the guitar and began to write and perform music.
Over the past decade, Jeremy has played all over the U.S. and in Europe, including numerous venues in Texas. Pulling from the example of Texas performance artists, Jeremy loves to interact with his audience. He captivates the crowd with his genuine personality, unique humour, and heart-felt love of his occupation.
Jeremy draws from his personal experiences to create songs that are keenly perceptive and meaningful. The first single from his latest album, “Things I Need To Say” was the Top 40 Roots Music Report and IndieWorld Report track, "Burn This House Down." The song paints a poignant picture of heartbreak and acceptance that still remains relatable. It will stick with you long after your first listen. That single was followed up by the equally well-received, “Why is the Bluebird Blue,” also s a Top 40 Roots Report Americana single. “Bluebird” also reached #2 on the Hits You Love pop charts. The videos for both songs were nominated and selected for numerous Film Festivals, including the Jersey Shore Film Festival, Indie’s Best Films Festival, and the Monkey Bread Tree Film Festival, an IMDB-sanctioned film festival.
After living in Nashville for several years, Jeremy has returned home to Texas. His new album has just been released.
We all have those crucial crossroad points in our life, a moment in which you have to look at what you've got and realistically decide what's next and what's for the best. "Things To Come" is about the journey that got Jeremy there, a rollercoaster ride of drugs and alcohol, a search for the correct answers for himself. Was it that his life was over, or was it that something greater was about to begin.
That was his choice to make, and he chose the latter. Jeremy walked that path until it almost killed him, and then with the help of the ones he loves the most, he made a shift. He quit drinking because it was destroying him, his friendships, and all he had worked to achieve. There were plenty of good times and travels there, but he had more to do, and was finally ready to face himself and get back on track.
This is a song for the future and comes with the knowledge that we are in control of our own lives, and we should look forward to that, no matter how rough it gets. It's dedicated to you, to now, and to all the Things To Come.
The Sound Cafe
What is your "backstory"?
Jeremy Parsons
I was born and raised in San Antonio, TX and grew up listening to a lot of traditional country music like the awesome stylings of Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Horton and George Jones. Growing up I would always go to shows but never really considered that it could be a career for me. I was too busy being a kid. It wasn't until I was about 17 and a Junior in High School that I picked up a guitar. It was either that or get involved in the illegal shenanigans of my friends. I got absolutely hooked on it. I played everyday and night and it would eventually become the only I wanted to do. After I got more comfortable with playing I took to writing my own music. The "Red Dirt Scene" was very big in Texas at the time and there were a lot of great writers coming out. I was very inspired to say the least. I kept at it after High School and spent some time in Texas perfecting my craft and tightening up my skill set and passion. I decided to move to Nashville in 2009 and have been in Tennessee and all over the place keeping the dream alive ever since. Its been a heck of a ride and I look forward to more great times.
The Sound Cafe
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your music career?
Jeremy Parsons
My funniest and most favourite story I have dates back to when I opened up for George Jones in Houston, TX in November of 2008. I had just finished up what I thought would be my last song for the show. Jus then the sound guy came through my in ears and said "George is watching the football game and it's gone into overtime. Do you think you could play about 4 or 5 more songs?" Of course I wasn't going to say no to George Jones. So I quickly jumped back up to the microphone told the crowd I was giving them the encore they didn't ask for and continued to finish my set for four more songs.
The Sound Cafe
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Jeremy Parsons
The most exciting thing I'm working on now is the promotion of my newest album "Things I Need To Say." I'm also very excited for the release of my second single and music video for my song "Why Is The Bluebird Blue."
The Sound Cafe
Who are some of the most famous people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Jeremy Parsons
I've been lucky to meet a lot of awesome people. Some of my favourites have been Little Jimmy Dickens, George Jones, Garth Brooks and Jon Voight. All interactions were amazing and unforgettable. Little Jimmy Dickens was nice enough to be a part of helping me promote my first album "Doggondest Feelin'." He was one of the nicest people I've ever met. George Jones was no different. I had the pleasure of getting to open a show for The Possum in Houston, TX at the Arena Theatre. It is probably the biggest show I've ever done and I will always be overly grateful that I got to be a part of it. Garth Brooks and Jon Voight were actually encountered at the same event which was awesome. We were at the George Jones Farewell show at the Bridgestone Arena and I was lucky enough to be one of many artists in the mix. I had just come from meeting Garth Brooks for the first time and he was every bit the gentlemen and conversationalist that you always hear about. I was taking a break from all of the madness leaning up against a wall checking my phone when I hear a voice say "Crazy Night huh?" I turned and nonchalantly said "yes sir it sure is!" It was none other than Jon Voight. I did a double take and he had a nice laugh. I told him I was a huge fan of the National Treasure movies and he took it way better than I thought he would.
The Sound Cafe
Which people in history inspire you the most and Why?
Jeremy Parsons
I've always been a huge fan of inventors like Leonardo Da Vinci and Galileo. I feel a connection with this as an artist and writer. Inventing is creating and so is making and writing music.
The Sound Cafe
What would you advise to an aspiring artist who would like to emulate your career?
Jeremy Parsons
The best advice I could give is to not even try. The best thing to do is find and make your own path. My favourite thing bout people and artists is originality and personality. When that is borrowed or mimicked it never seems as genuine and is harder for myself and others to connect with. Be yourself, work hard, and don't give up.
The Sound Cafe
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
Jeremy Parsons
I try to use my outreach to promote positivity. As I progress I plan on doing more and more. At the moment I try to post everyday on Social Media with a positive and uplifting message. Sometimes you can turn someones day around by just letting them know they're loved and thought about it. Through this they might go out and make someone else smile. It's all about feeling and spreading the love.
The Sound Cafe
What are your "5 things I wish someone told me when I first started" and why. Please share a story or example for each.
Jeremy Parsons
The first thing I wish someone would've told me is to start getting good at saving your money. You aren't always going to have investors or wealthy family members so it's smart to save as much as you can so when you're ready to put out some new music or go back into the studio you have plenty of money for production and promotion. The second thing I would say is make sure you know someone in your industry. Nobody knows everything but it helps at the start to have someone to show you all the ropes. For the third I would say to remember it's not about the number of songs you write or the number of songs you've written. It's about the number of great songs you write. Take it slow and don't force the magic. The fourth thing I would say is get good at practicing patience. Things don't just happen overnight. It takes years of hard work and an everlasting focus and drive on and toward your passion. The fifth and final thing, also the most important to me, is know who you are as an artist. There's a lot of people out there trying to do the same thing you are but there is only one you and they can never take that away from you.
The Sound Cafe
We have been blessed with the opportunity to interview and be in touch with some of the biggest names in the music business. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she just might see this.
Jeremy Parsons
My answer without a doubt would be John Prine.
I think he's one of the coolest people that has ever lived and I feel like if we were able to just sat there in silence I would still learn so much. He's one of the greatest songwriters that has ever lived in my opinion. I love the music he made and what he has inspired and still inspires to this day.
Website: jeremyparsonsmusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeremyparsonsmusic
Twitter: twitter.com/JMParsonsMusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jmpickinfool
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