Patty Parker

Last updated

Patty Parker is an American singer, drummer, producer, and co-owner of independent record label, Comstock Records. In the mid-1970s she and her future husband, Frank Fara (Fafara) toured the Nevada casino circuit in their traveling Country music show, The Frank Fara Show featuring Patty Parker. Parker sang background vocals and was one of the only female drummers touring. In 1978, Parker and Fara launched Comstock Records and experienced immediate success with their first artist, Alex Fraser, whose single peaked at #9 on the Canadian Country music charts. Parker was one of the first full-time female music producers in Nashville [1] and her success caught the attention of Billboard, Cashbox, Music Row Magazine, The Wall Street Journal , CNN and many local newspapers across Canada and the United States.

Contents

Early life

Patty Parker grew up Shawnee, Kansas, just outside of Kansas City, Missouri. Patty's father, Will Yeats, was the music director of a Baptist church and Patty grew up singing harmonies in her church choir. In college she earned her bachelor's degree in music education from John Brown University and toured the U.S. with the school's vocal gospel ensemble, the Harmonaires. After college, Parker worked as a music teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District and helped “arrange the sounds” for various school productions. After three years of teaching, Parker moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a singer/performer. [1] [2] [3]

The Frank Fara Show featuring Patty Parker

In California, Parker worked as a secretary for a construction company until she met songwriter and former teen idol from Phoenix, Arizona, Frank Fara. After playing a jam session with each other, the two decided to continue working together. With two other musicians (Paul Marshall/bass, Keith Johnson/lead guitar), they put together a country music road show. Fara wrote the songs and was the lead singer; Parker sang backup vocals and played the drums. The show was originally named The Frank Fara Show, but when audiences reacted enthusiastically to Parker's performances, they renamed the show, The Frank Fara Show featuring Patty Parker.

For five years, their show toured the Nevada casino circuit and venues across the U.S. and Canada. While on tour, Parker and Fara visited local radio stations to share their latest singles and to create relationships with disc jockeys. Eventually Parker and Fara decided to record a studio-produced album. While doing so, Parker discovered she enjoyed working in the studio more than she enjoyed touring. [2] [4]

Co-founder, producer, and vice president of Comstock Records

In 1978, Parker and husband, Fara, transitioned out of their traveling road show and into the record business. The team launched Comstock Records, and had an immediate charting hit with Canadian artist Alex Fraser. His (and their) first single, Four States to Go, reached #9 on the Canadian Country music charts. Parker and Fara soon discovered that artists from around the world were interested in recording authentic-sounding Country music songs. While the headquarters for Comstock Records was located in Shawnee, Kansas, Parker produced and recorded their music in top recording studios in Nashville, Tennessee. [5] She worked with Nashville session musicians such as Tony Migliore, Ralph Childs, Sonny Garrish, Clyde Brooks, Mike Severs, and Don Roth, to provide artists with the authentic Nashville sound. [6] In addition, Parker provided audio tapes and wrote lyrics phonetically to teach artists the country-western way of enunciating. Parker produced artists from many countries across the world including Australia, Canada, Croatia, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the US, and elsewhere. [7] [8] [9]

In 1988, Comstock moved to Scottdale, Arizona, but continued to record in Nashville. Parker and Fara also formed the subsidiary label, Paylode Records, [10] for adult contemporary and Pop music. They also created two publishing companies, White Cat (ASCAP) [11] and Rocky Bell (BMI). [1] [12]

Awards and recognition

In 1985 Comstock artists were nominated for 10 Canadian Country Music Awards, including one for record company of the year. [13] [14] In 1986 five of Comstock records made the Cashbox Top 100. [5] In 1989, Parker was named “Music Row’s Favorite Independent Female Record Producer” by Music Row magazine. Many of Comstock's artists achieved charting success and received Country music awards in their own countries. In 1998, Comstock Records was named Indie Record Label of the Year by the European Country Music Association (ECMA). Parker's success captured the attention of Billboard , Cashbox , The Wall Street Journal , CNN, and local newspapers and news stations across North America. [15]

Legacy

Many of Parker's recordings and much of Comstock's catalog now reside with independent record label, Fervor Records, which has placed many of their songs in TV and film.

Partial discography

As producer

ArtistRecord labelAlbumFormatCat #CountryRelease date
The SteelesComstock RecordsFaith/My Happiness7"1630US1976
Alex FraserMidnight Star/Devils Oval7", Single, Promo, 45 RPMCOM 1634US1979
Alla Dee FranklinGarage Sale7", Single, PromoCOM 1636US1979
The O'Roark BrothersLong Time Comin'LP, AlbumCOM 980US1982
Long Time Comin'7", Single, PromoCOM 1641US1980
Under the Double Nickel7", Single, PromoCOM 1647US1980
Ray LansberyHeartache Remover7", Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM 1655US1981
Bob JonesWoman Unsatisfied/She's Not A Fallen Angel7", SingleCOM 1671US1981
Don TeBeauxA Park of MeeLP, AlbumCOM-982US1982
Christmas Without You/To Love My Woman More7", Single, Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM 1694US1982
Put Me In My Place/ A Part of Me7", Single, 45 RPM,VinylCOM 1735US1984
Buddi DayLovin' Time of Night7", Single, VinylCOM 1684US1982
The Last Desperado7", Single, VinylCOM 1696US1982
Debbie MartinMoments of Love/The Price I Pay (For Loving You Again)7", Single, Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM 1675US1982
Bill HershBabysittin' With The Blues/Curly's Theme7", Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM 1710US1983
Don MalenaNew Shade of Blue7" Single, Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM 1753US1984
I've Been Down7", Single, Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM 1762US1984
I'm Not Tough Enough (To Fall in Love Again)7", Single, Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM 17751985
Lightning7", Single, Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM 1784US1985
One More Night7', SingleCOM 17931985
Lee MahonyFreedom is Only Another Word For Lonely/One Good Turn7", VinylCOM 1727 AUS1983
Reg Watkins & Lori KristinOklahoma Memory7", Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM-1704 BUS1983
Stop and Think It Over7"COM 1734US1983
Anne LordEndlessly7"COM 17171983
Stars in My Eyes1985
Blue RainCOM 19231989
Peter ChipmanFor All Those Years/ She Can Survive7", Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM 1781US & Canada1984
PegasusMore Than a Friend/Last Chance Saloon7", Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM 1773US1985
Sherry AnnDon't Waste Your Love On Her Tonight7", Vinyl, SingleCOM 1792US1985
Billie J. HelmkayNothing Could Ever Be the Same1985
AlibiTil The Fire's Burned Out7", Vinyl, 45 RPMCOM 1813US1986
No DoubtsCD, AlbumCOM 1884Canadaunknown
Priscilla WrightWords On The WireVinyl, 7", 45 RPM, SingleCOM 1801US1986
God Bless You Baby7", SingleCOM 1983US1990
Rick HarrelsonLovin' You Like ThisVinyl, 7"COM 1827US1986
Rae PalmerCall Me UpVinyl, 7"COM 1830US1986
RJ McClintockWhen Two Hearts Speak (You Just Can't Stop The Feeling)7"COM 1836US1987
Fred BrownPlease Handle With Care7"COM 1870US1987
Johnny RamoneWhere Did I Go Right7", SingleCOM 1911US1988
James Edward HolmesI Got Your Memory on the Line7", SingleCOM 1920-AUS1989
John LindseyAm I The Only OneCOM19221989
Rodney YoungBad Habits7", SingleCOM 1985US1990
The Crosby'sHit & Run7", SingleCOM 1980US1990
Thomas E ThomasThe Mighty BuffaloVinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, StereoCOM 2038US1990
Jess OwenRemember MeVinyl, 7", 45 RPMNR-1992-AUS1990
Stoker BrothersDance a Little Closer/Dance a Little CloserCOM 19811990
Love On The RunVinyl, 7", Single, PromoCOM 2027US1991
The Roberts SistersDaddy Was A Lawman7", SingleCOM 2008US1991
Ray Dean JamesWhen All the Trains Are Gone7", SingleCOM 2011US1991
Debbie BakerSend Me A PictureVinyl, 7", 45 RPM, SingleCOM 2014US1991
Jodie SinclairI Can't Help Feelin' CrazyVinyl, 7", 45 RPM, SingleCOM 2016US1991
White CanyonOur Love's Not Perfect7", SingleCOM 2017US1991
Jeff SouthernHighway to Heaven7", SingleCOM 2019US1991
Colin ClarkThe Price For Loving You7", SingleCOM 2021US1991
Boogie Woogie ThangVinyl, 7", SingleCOM 2093US1993
Dusty MartinAin't Nothin Been The SameVinyl, 7", 45 RPMCOM 2103US1993
Horst KrushPortrait of a Cowboy7", SingleCOM 2022US1991
Jess OwenBig Boys Don't Cry7", SingleCOM 2023US1991
Double GageCar SingerVinyl, 7", 45 RPMCOM 2058US1992
Gregg WeaverThe Stars Disappear With The Rising SunVinyl, 7", SingleCOM 2091US1993
ClaudiaI Can TellVinyl, 7", SingleCOM 2092US1993
Arizona Trilogy (Patty Parker vocals)Song of the Grand CanyonCD, SingleCOM-716-CDSUS1994
Abby & JohnnyCrossing the PondCD, Album, Comp. StereoCOM-1001-CDUS1994
Cindy StinesWatch and PrayCD, SingleCOM1013-CDSEurope1995
Christopher Lee ClaytonLivin'Alone Together/The Folks Across the StreetCD, SingleCOM 1022-CDSUS1996
Various ArtistsComstock Records International Country Music Sampler Summer 1996COM SM961996
HowdyStill StraightCD, AlbumCOM 3141US1999
Frank Fara (Fafara)Charming Billy, Billy The KidSingle2006
Songs of the Untamed WestUS2008
Custer's Last CommandSingleUS2010
Tombstone LegacySingleUS2014
Ride with Pancho VillaSingleUS2014
Patty ParkerLa Noche Buena, It's Christmas EveSingleUS2005
Southwestern SerenadeCDUS2007
Song of the Grand CanyonSingleUS2010
Hotel SaguaroSingleUS2014
Scheibee & FoosenNews For YouCD, Album, Super Jewel CaseSFCR-092708-CDUS2009
Rick GreysunJesus Came With Music/I Just Cry Unto You Lord7", SingleCOM-1639USunknown
Gary KirklandHeartful of Love/Are You From Dixie7"COM 1858unknown

[4] [16] [17]

As performing artist

ArtistRecord labelAlbum titleFormatCAT #CountryRelease date
Frank Fara/Patty ParkerComstock RecordsFrank Fara/Patty ParkerLPCOM 977US1977
Arizona Trilogy (Patty Parker vocals)Comstock RecordsSong of the Grand CanyonCD, SingleCOM-716-CDSUS1994
Patty ParkerComstock RecordsLa Noche Buena, It's Christmas EveSingleUS2005
Southwestern SerenadeCDUS2007
Song of the Grand CanyonSingleUS2010
Hotel SaguaroSingleUS2014
Fervor RecordsHelp You Find a Way4xFile, MP3, EP, 256US2016

Film and TV

ArtistSongShow titleChannelProgram typeEpisodeRelease date
Billie J. Helmkay"You"re Spreading My Hurt Around" Red Oaks Amazon TV20511/11/16
Bob Jones"Woman Unsatisfied" Claws TNT TV1057/17/17
Bob Jones"Woman Unsatisfied" The Americans FX TV5043/28/17
Bobbie Bowlin"Trying to Be An Outlaw"Red OaksAmazonTV30610/20/17
Debbie Martin"Moments of Love"King of the Road Viceland TV2035/9/17
Gale Wahl"The Hard Times All Over Again" Channel Zero SyFy TV10210/18/16
Gina Samuels"Lonely Hearts Lover"Red OaksAmazonTV20711/11/16
Kathy Tate"I Am Your Lady" Get Hard naFilm2015
Mitch Clark"Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten"Red OaksAmazonTV20511/11/16
Mitch Clark"Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten"The AmericansFXTV30411/11/16
Patty Parker"Help You Find a Way" Preacher AMC TV1056/26/16
Ray Lansberry"Heartache Remover"Claws TNT TV1077/23/17
Susan Doll"Be My Cowboy Tonight"PreacherAMCTV1077/10/16
Susan Doll"Be My Cowboy Tonight"Channel Zero SyFy TV10110/11/16

[18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy Miller</span> American singer-songwriter

Steven Paul "Buddy" Miller is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist and producer, currently living in Nashville, Tennessee. Miller is married to and has recorded with singer-songwriter Julie Miller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patty Loveless</span> American country music singer (born 1957)

Patty Loveless is an American country music singer. She began performing in her teenaged years before signing her first recording contract with MCA Records' Nashville division in 1985. While her first few releases were unsuccessful, she broke through by decade's end with a cover of George Jones's "If My Heart Had Windows". Loveless issued five albums on MCA before moving to Epic Records in 1993, where she released nine more albums. Four of her albums—Honky Tonk Angel, Only What I Feel, When Fallen Angels Fly, and The Trouble with the Truth—are certified platinum in the United States. Loveless has charted 44 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including five which reached number one: "Timber, I'm Falling in Love", "Chains", "Blame It on Your Heart", "You Can Feel Bad", and "Lonely Too Long".

Cashbox, also known as Cash Box, was an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as Cashbox Magazine, an online magazine with weekly charts and occasional special print issues. In addition to the music industry, the magazine covered the amusement arcade industry, including jukebox machines and arcade games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kostas (songwriter)</span> American songwriter

Kostas Lazarides is a Greek-born American country music songwriter, known professionally as Kostas. He has written for several country music artists, including Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, George Strait, and Travis Tritt, and has won eleven awards from Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI). In addition, he has recorded a self-titled album Kostas on First American Records (1980) and an album entitled X S in Moderation on Liberty Records (1994). He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019.

Myrna Lorraine Petrunka, known professionally as Myrna Lorrie, is a Canadian country singer/songwriter/musician. She is known as the "first lady of Canadian country music."

Bruce Connole is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was the lead singer for the Jetzons and several other bands based in the Southwest United States.

Greg Nelson is a music producer from Nashville.

Frank Fafara was a teen rocker in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Phoenix, Arizona where he achieved regional fame. As an adult he changed his last name to "Fara" and toured across North America with his Country music road show, The Frank Fara Show featuring Patty Parker. After touring for five years, he and Parker married and founded Comstock Records, an independent American record label.

Michael James Ryan Busbee, known professionally as Busbee, was an American songwriter, record producer, publisher, record label executive, and multi-instrumentalist. He is known for his work in both pop music and country music. He worked with 5 Seconds of Summer, Keith Urban, and Maren Morris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Laird</span> American songwriter

Luke Robert Laird is an American country music songwriter and producer. He has written over 20 number one Billboard singles, including Carrie Underwood's "So Small", "Temporary Home", and "Undo It"; Blake Shelton's "Gonna"; Sara Evans' "A Little Bit Stronger"; Rodney Atkins's "Take a Back Road"; Eric Church's "Drink in My Hand", "Give Me Back My Hometown", and "Talladega"; Little Big Town's "Pontoon"; Luke Bryan's "I See You" and "Fast"; Thomas Rhett's "T-Shirt"; Kenny Chesney's "American Kids"; Lady Antebellum's "Downtown"; and Jon Pardi's "Head Over Boots." He has also written and produced songs for Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Kacey Musgraves, Toby Keith, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Darius Rucker, and many others.

MusicRow is a Nashville music industry trade publication which has been providing reviews, breaking news, and in-depth coverage for 40 years. The publication delivers online content in addition to six annual print magazines including its InCharge, Artist Roster and Publisher directories. MusicRow Enterprises is also home to song pitch-sheet RowFax, and the MusicRow radio chart.

Mark Wright is an American record producer who works mainly in country music. He is known for having worked with Brooks & Dunn, Gary Allan, and Lee Ann Womack.

Jerry Crutchfield was an American country and pop record producer, songwriter, and musician. He was a publishing and record label executive. He recorded for RCA Victor Records with vocal group The Country Gentlemen, later known as The Escorts. He received multiple Country Music Association's (CMA) "Song of the Year" award nominations for his work as producer, winning the award twice as well as having been a co-producer of a CMA Album of the Year. He was also nominated for the Dove Award for three Gospel/Christian albums, having won the award for Traditional Gospel Record of the Year by The Hemphills. Crutchfield has served as a member of the national board of trustees for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), along with the board of directors of the Nashville chapter of NARAS, the Country Music Association, and the Gospel Music Association.

Jesse Vernon Frasure, also known as DJ Telemitry, is an American music publisher, record producer, songwriter, and DJ.

Richard "Dick" Flood, also known as Okefenokee Joe, was an American country music singer-songwriter, entertainer, and environmentalist. In the mid-1950s he was part of the duo The Country Lads and made regular appearances on CBS' The Jimmy Dean Show. In 1959, Flood's cover version of "The Three Bells " reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. His songs have been recorded by other artists, including Roy Orbison, Anita Bryant, Billy Grammer, Kathy Linden, and The Wilburn Brothers. In 1962, The Wilburn Brothers recorded his song "Trouble's Back in Town", which peaked at number 4 on the US Country Chart and was named Cashbox Magazine’s "Country Song of the Year". In 1973, Flood moved to Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp and became a professional naturalist and environmentalist.

Big Loud is an American independent multi-sector entertainment company located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It consists of a record label, along with music publishing and talent management divisions. Big Loud was founded in 2013 by Craig Wiseman, Joey Moi, Kevin "Chief" Zaruk, and Seth England. Artists who have recorded for Big Loud include Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, Chris Lane, Dallas Smith, and Hardy.

Comstock Records is an independent American record label. Established and managed by Frank Fara and Patty Parker, Comstock achieved international success in the 1980s and 1990s by producing country music records for international artists. Several Comstock artists charted nationally and internationally, and many were nominated for Country Music awards.

Donnie Owens was an American singer, guitarist, producer, and composer. His hit song “Need You” peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958. Owens worked extensively with artist/songwriter/producer Lee Hazlewood and worked as an executive producer for LHI Records. He was a session musician and played the rhythm guitar for Duane Eddy, Nancy Sinatra, Elvis Presley and many others. In 1994, Owens was accidentally shot to death by his girlfriend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruthie Collins</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1984)

Ruthie Collins is an American singer/songwriter and recording artist based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her solo career launched in 2014 with the release of her debut self-titled EP, and she has released two full-length albums since then. Collins also co-hosted the show Home.Made. on A&E and appeared on The Bachelor Winter Games on ABC. Music by Collins has been featured in shows such as Netflix's The Ranch and video games such as Madden NFL 19.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place, or will take place, in 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Walker, Cecilia (September 8, 1989). "Row File: Patty Parker". Music Row. p. 23.
  2. 1 2 Breckenridge, D.P. (January–February 1983). "Silent Partners in the Music Business". Missouri Life. p. 21.
  3. Kuroff, Barbara Norton (1983). "Record Companies: Close Up: Patty Parker, Producer". Songwriter's Market. Writer's Digest Books.
  4. 1 2 "Comstock Records". Discogs. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  5. 1 2 Hansen, Valerie (October 18, 1986). "The Indies: Where They're Coming From and Where They're Going". Cash Box.
  6. "Producer Spotlight: Patty Parker". Indie Bullet. September 16, 1989. p. 38A.
  7. Morrison, Jim (May 1994). "Eurotwang in Nashville". American Way. p. 46.
  8. Ortega, Bob (September 10, 1993). "A Studio is Teaching a Twang or Two To Foreign Crooners". The Wall Street Journal. p. 1.
  9. "COUNTRY FROM THE OLD COUNTRYFOR CROONERS FROM THE CONTINENT, THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE RUNS THROUGH ARIZONA". Phoenix New Times. 1993-02-10. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  10. "Paylode Records". Discogs. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  11. ACE. "ACE Repertory". www.ascap.com. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  12. "BMI | Repertoire Search". repertoire.bmi.com. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  13. Morris, Edward (April 5, 1986). "Indie Label Looks Northward to Capitalize on Canadian Support". Billboard.
  14. "Comstock's Search for Gold". Country Music News. October 1986.
  15. Mulholland, Dave (November 10, 1984). "Hanford's Gliding Soprano Graces Refreshing Love Songs". The Citizen, Ottawa. p. C7.
  16. "Frank Fara (2) / Patty Parker - Frank Fara / Patty Parker". Discogs. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  17. "Patty Parker". Discogs. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  18. "Music from Red Oaks". Tunefind. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  19. "Music from Claws". Tunefind. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  20. "Music from The Americans". Tunefind. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  21. "Music from Get Hard (2015)". Tunefind. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  22. "Music from Preacher S1E05". Tunefind. Retrieved 2018-01-24.