Parker McCollum performing at the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre in Austin, Texas on November 5, 2020, with Parker McCollum, Brady Beal, Jason Newberry, Charlie Magnone, and Beau Johnson. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Parker McCollum comes from a no-nonsense, hard-working family. His was the sort of upbringing where “if you’re going to do something and you’re not going to do it one-hundred percent; you shouldn’t do it all.” It’s why this 27-year-old treats each song he writes with a painstaking level of dedication, reverence, and, as he readily admits, even a bit of obsession.Parker McCollum was the main act at the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre with guests William Beckmann and Gunnar Latham. The band continues across the United States with the last stop at the Country Summer Music Festival in Santa Rosa, California on June 19, 2021.
Parker says when a particular melody, lyric or emotion tugs at him he might stay in his room for days working on it. He can’t help himself. That’s because, for the Austin-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, the result is worth the painstaking process. Parker, who broke out with the revealing and critically adored 2013 debut The Limestone Kid and returned with the acclaimed, Probably Wrong , says “It's like the songwriting muse takes over, I don’t choose when it hits me, but when it does, I pay attention, and it’s always worth the focus it asks of me.“
Though seeing as many of his gigs are rowdy, upbeat affairs, he says he searches for the right moments to pepper his set with more emotional numbers. “I’m constantly trying to find ways to make our live show better,” he says. “I take cues from the fans who show up night after night, I pay attention to what songs they sing along to, what makes them move, smile, holler or just dance. I work to meet them where they are and take them higher. I have the best job in the world.”
The goal going forward then, Parker insists, is to continue to invest in his craft; to grow. He reveres musicians like John Mayer, who Rolling Stone Country compared him to in its January “New Country Artists You Need To Know” list, whom he says are always redefining their creativity. He intends to do the same. “My goal is to evolve and step into a new version of myself with each record I make,” McCollum says. “It’s about challenging myself to dig deeper. As much as I do this for the fans, it’s also for me, and stepping up into the artist I know I can be.”
Nutty Brown Amphitheatre Social Distancing
All tables and all pods of related guests (up to 6 per) will be located at least 6 feet apart at all times. Social distancing of at least 6 feet will be additionally maintained throughout the venue with regard to any / all standing or lines including at the entrance / exit to the venue. Thorough cleaning and sanitization will take place before, during and after the show. We take this matter very seriously and we will zealously protect the safety of all patrons for each and every show.
Parker McCollum
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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