About Jeremy Parsons
Born in San Antonio, Texas, Jeremy Parsons grew up soaking in the sounds of Texas music in the dancehalls of the Lone Star State. The artist 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. Pulling from the example of Texas performance artists, the musician loves to interact with his audience. His genuine personality, unique humor, and the heartfelt love of his occupation captivates the crowd.
Jeremy Parsons 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.” That single was followed up by the equally well-received, “Why is the Bluebird Blue”, also is 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. These include 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, “Things To Come” was released on January 8, 2021. He was recently added to a Spotify Editorial playlist, resulting in over 137K streams of the title track. 1 In Music meets the artist.
Interview with Jeremy Parsons
1 In Music: Hi About Jeremy Parsons! Tell us, what would you say is unique about you and your music?
Jeremy Parsons [JP]: The thing I hear the most from people is my voice. It always stands out. I wouldn’t say I’m a powerhouse vocalist by any means, but I do think that my voice and style have always been recognizable, and I think that’s a beautiful thing.
1 In Music: What or who shaped your music and who supports you?
JP: Hank Williams Sr. very much influenced me from the start. From then on, I have discovered more great acts and artists who have continued to shape me on my path. These include John Prine, Jason Isbell, and a lot of George Strait concerts in the ’90s. Outside of musical influences, my Dad has always been in my corner. He’s always been my number one sounding board for my new songs, and I trust him to be honest with me. Everyone needs someone like that in life and this profession.
1 In Music: When did you realise you were going to make music professionally?
JP: The first time I played an open mic with original music, I caught the bug. But it wasn’t until my first trip up to Nashville at the age of twenty that it occurred to me that I had found what it was I would do until the day that I died. I have been doing it ever since, and it’s been a wild roller coaster ride of life lessons and incredible memories. I wouldn’t trade for anything. It is my life.
1 In Music: What type of music do you listen to?
JP: I listen to and love all kinds of music. When I’m driving and thinking, I like Classical. When I’m feeling Fall or Spring vibes, I am more prone to put on Bent Cobb, John Pine, Jason Isbell’s “Something More Than Free” album, or Tom Petty. Outside of that, I will lean more towards mellow introspection with Phoebe Bridgers and some new Americana or Folk stuff I can find. I have currently been really into the latest records by The Killers and Lord Huron.
1 In Music: Who, to you, is the most undervalued music artist?
JP: There are so many great ones out there who never break the veil. There are almost too many to name. Years ago, I would’ve said, Chris Stapleton, but now he’s killing it. My buddy Carlton Anderson is phenomenal and should be in everyone’s ears, as well as my ex-girlfriend and still best friend, Sam Rochford. John Prine got an excellent comeback before he had to leave us last year, and I’m happy about that. I always thought he was so unique and perfect, and I’m glad more people go to recognize that.
1 In Music: How do you prepare for your performances?
JP: I have to make sure I’m there with enough time before to acclimate to the venue and the crowd. You want to make sure you’re there in the moment and not off in your mind or wishing you were somewhere else. It’s a gift to get to be there in those moments doing what you love to do, even if you’re exhausted from travel and a week’s worth of shows. I make sure I am as grateful as I should be before every show, big or small.
1 In Music: What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?
JP: I love and have always loved being active. Over the past year, I’ve been living with and helping take care of my Dad and all the work around the house that he can no longer do. It makes him happy, and it makes me happy to help and get in some exercise mowing the lawn, and doing other chores. I enjoy going for walks as well. I find walking to be highly therapeutic.
1 In Music: Success to you is…?
JP: [Success is…] Waking up every day knowing I get to do what I love to do
and that people still want to hear me do it.
1 In Music: What do you wish you were told when you started out and that you think would help anyone who starts out?
JP: Figure out who you are and continue to be and grow as that individual.
You work in an industry full of many people who don’t know who they are or want someone to tell them what to be. If you’ve got that figured out, you’re already ahead of the pack. And don’t make music that you don’t want to make, no matter what anyone says. Go with what your gut and heart tell you, and make the stuff that speaks to you.
People will connect with the sincerity and attachment you have to your music.
1 In Music: Tell us about your latest projects?
JP: My latest LP, “Things To Come“, came out earlier this year in January. 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 me there, a rollercoaster ride of drugs and alcohol, a search for the correct answers for myself. Was it that my life was over, or was it that something greater was about to begin. That was my choice to make, and I chose the latter. I walked that path until it almost killed me, and then with the help of the ones I love most, I made a shift. I quit drinking because it was destroying me, my friendships, and all I had worked to achieve. There were plenty of good times and travels there, but I had more to do, and I was finally ready to face myself 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. Here’s to you, to now, and to all the Things To Come.
1 In Music: Tell us a little more about your latest single from that project, Something Other Than You Are (single)?
JP: Let’s go back to a little house on the Eastside of town in Nashville, TN. It was a beautiful fall day, and I had just gotten back from a month-long tour in Texas and was desperately needing to do laundry. The house that my ex-girlfriend, my girlfriend at the time, and I lived in had a wonderful sunroom where the washer and dryer were. It was perfect, especially on a day like this was. When moving my clothes back and forth, I started humming a melody. When you’re distracted by tedious tasks, the most extraordinary things can creep into your brain, and that’s what was happening. I got everything where it needed to be and picked up a Baby Martin guitar lying around for songwriting moments such as this. I sat down on top of the washing machine, put my feet up on the edge of the sunroom window, and started picking.My girlfriend’s cat and my best friend at the time, Thunder, joined me. I wrote this song to him and all the things I was feeling because of him and his mother. I had been through a lot, and they were there with me and helped see me through the roughest patch. Life is crazy, and my lyrics and songs can lean towards the more realistic darker side. I just wanted to shine a little light this time. I was happy then, and I am happy now. We are in charge of that happiness. We all long to be something other than we are, maybe even someone sometimes, but we are who we are for a specific reason and purpose, so be that person because that person is perfectly you.
1 In Music: Anything upcoming in the music of Jeremy Parsons?
I have started working on a new project with my buddy Dustin Martin down here in Texas, and you could be hearing something more or from that sometime next year. I’m very excited about it, and I can’t wait to share more.
1 In Music: Thank you for taking part, Mr Jeremy Parsons! Now, tell us where we can find more about your music?
JP: You can find me over at jeremyparsonsmusic.com. There I have links to everything you might need, such as youtube, Spotify, SoundCloud, and all those great things. You can also check out my website store and order physical copies and merch.