Polly Parsons (producer)

Last updated

Polly Parsons
Born1967 (age 56–57)
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Producer, Entrepreneur, Performer
Years active2003–present
Children1
Website www.pollyparsons.com

Polly Parsons (born 1967) is an American producer, entrepreneur, and performer. She is the daughter of singer-songwriter Gram Parsons and Nancy Ross. [1] [2]

Contents

Gram Parsons legacy

2003 Americana Music Awards

Parsons made her first documented appearance in 2003, accepting the President's Award on behalf of the late Gram Parsons at the Americana Music Awards ceremony in Nashville. [3]

2004: "Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons"

In 2004, she directed and produced two live tribute concerts titled "Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons". Artists included: Keith Richards, James Burton, Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, Dwight Yoakam, John Doe, Steve Earle, Jim Lauderdale, Kathleen Edwards, Jay Farrar, Jim James, Raul Malo, Susan Marshall, and the Sin City All Stars. A concert DVD was produced. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Gram Parsons Foundation

100% of the proceeds from the tribute concerts were donated through the newly formed Gram Parsons Foundation to the Musician's Assistance Program (now MusiCares Foundation) which aids musicians in crisis. [12]

Parsons would go on to relaunch the Gram Parsons Foundation in 2012 to support musicians and artists worldwide with addiction and recovery services by hosting a launch event at SXSW on March 14, 2012. The event featured performances by Brendan Benson, Eric Burdon, Blitzen Trapper, Alberta Cross, Great Lake Swimmers, Jenny O and Poor Man (Christian Wargo and Casey Wescott from Fleet Foxes). [13] [14] [15]

2022-2023: "The Last Roundup: Live from The Bijou Café in Philadelphia"

Dave Prinz, a co-founder of Amoeba Music, was a collector of Gram Parsons archival material. During a move of the L.A. Amoeba record store, Prinz rediscovered a series of Gram Parsons "Last Roundup" tapes. With no interest in involving a bigger record company, Prinz decided to initiate a Kickstarter campaign to fund the release independently, in partnership with Polly Parsons. The campaign launched on November 17, 2022, and was fully backed. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels' "The Last Roundup: Live from The Bijou Café in Philadelphia 3/16/73" featuring Emmylou Harris was released on Friday, November 24, 2023, and was considered one of the Record Store Day (RSD) hits of 2023. [21]

2023: Grammy Museum panel: "Celebrating Gram Parsons, Amoeba Music, and RSD Black Friday"

On November 15, 2023, the Grammy Museum hosted a panel titled "Celebrating Gram Parsons, Amoeba Music, and RSD Black Friday". The commemorative panel was moderated by Variety's chief music critic Chris Willman, and featured Polly Parsons and Amoeba Music co-founder David Prinz, and detailed the discovery of a never-before-heard 1973 recording.

The panel concluded with a performance from Sierra Ferrell, who paid homage to Parsons with renditions of "She," "Return of the Grievous Angel" and "Streets of Baltimore." [22] [23]

Entrepreneur

Sound As Ever

In 2021, Polly Parsons launched a desert- and community-inspired goods and Gram Parsons merchandise brand called Sound As Ever with two partners. Self-described as "fine goods for the mindful", the products have a distinctive boho, Joshua Tree aesthetic. [24] [25]

Producer

Daddy Van Productions

Parsons co-founded and is the former managing partner of Daddy Van Productions, producing video content design for live events and world tours. They produced tours for Bruce Springsteen, and Maroon 5 among others as well as producing with major companies like Nike and Warner Brothers. [26] [27] [28]

Taking the Jesus Pill

Parsons adapted and then produced the multimedia rock opera Taking the Jesus Pill. The play ran through 2006 and an album of the music was produced. [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34]

Take Another Little Piece of My Heart

Polly Parsons directed and produced the Pamela Des Barres one-woman show Take Another Little Piece of My Heart. The event took place at Whisky a Go Go on March 17, 2024. [35]

Advocacy for artist addiction and recovery

Through Gram Parsons tribute concerts, Parsons raised funds for a series of organizations that support artist and musician addiction and recovery services including Gram Parsons Foundation, Musician's Assistance Program (now MusiCares Foundation), and SIMS Foundation. [36] [37] [38]

Hickory Wind Ranch sober living facility

In 2009, Polly Parsons opened Hickory Wind Ranch, a sober living environment for women in entertainment and the arts who are in recovery from substance abuse. It was the first holistic sober living environment in Austin, Texas for musicians and artists. The program has expanded to include substance-abuse treatment and programs for men and teens. [39] [40] [41]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gram Parsons</span> American singer-songwriter (1946–1973)

Ingram Cecil Connor III, known professionally as Gram Parsons, was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist. He recorded as a solo artist and with the International Submarine Band, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers, popularizing what he called "Cosmic American Music", a hybrid of country, rhythm and blues, soul, folk, and rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Stonehill</span> American songwriter

Randall Evan Stonehill is an American singer and songwriter from Stockton, California, best known as one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music. His music is primarily folk rock in the style of James Taylor, but some of his albums have focused on new wave, pop, pop rock, roots rock, and children's music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emmylou Harris</span> American singer, songwriter, and musician

Emmylou Harris is an American singer, songwriter, musician, bandleader, and activist. She is considered one of the leading music artists behind the country rock genre in the 1970s and the Americana genre in the 1990s. Her music united both country and rock audiences in live performance settings. Her characteristic voice, musical style and songwriting have been acclaimed by critics and fellow recording artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Flying Burrito Brothers</span> American country rock band

The Flying Burrito Brothers are an American country rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1968, best known for their influential 1969 debut album, The Gilded Palace of Sin. Although the group is known for its connection to band founders Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, the group underwent many personnel changes and has existed in various incarnations. Now officially known as The Burrito Brothers the band continues to perform and record new albums.

<i>Sweetheart of the Rodeo</i> 1968 studio album by the Byrds

Sweetheart of the Rodeo is the sixth album by the American rock band the Byrds, released in August 1968 by Columbia Records. Recorded with the addition of country rock pioneer Gram Parsons, it became the first album widely recognized as country rock as well as a seminal progressive country album, and represented a stylistic move away from the psychedelic rock of the band's previous LP, The Notorious Byrd Brothers. The Byrds had occasionally experimented with country music on their four previous albums, but Sweetheart of the Rodeo represented their fullest immersion into the genre up to that point in time. The album was responsible for bringing Parsons, who had joined the Byrds in February 1968 prior to the start of recording, to the attention of a mainstream rock audience for the first time. Thus, the album is an important chapter in Parsons' crusade to make country music fashionable for a young audience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Hillman</span> American musician (b. 1944)

Christopher Hillman is an American musician. He was the original bassist of the Byrds. With frequent collaborator Gram Parsons, Hillman was a key figure in the development of country rock, defining the genre through his work with the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas and the country-rock group the Desert Rose Band. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 as a member of the Byrds.

<i>The Gilded Palace of Sin</i> 1969 studio album by the Flying Burrito Brothers

The Gilded Palace of Sin is the debut studio album by country rock band The Flying Burrito Brothers, released on February 6, 1969, by A&M Records. It continued Gram Parsons' and Chris Hillman's work in modern country music, fusing traditional styles such as folk and country with other forms of popular music including gospel, soul, and psychedelic rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amoeba Music</span> American independent record store chain

Amoeba Music is an American independent music store chain with locations in Berkeley, San Francisco, and Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. It stocks media, primarily music, but also films and television programs via DVD and VHS. Its music selection includes rock, pop, blues, soul, funk, rap, and jazz. It is popular as a tourist destination for fans of physical media or music in general. It was founded in 1990 in Berkeley, California, and remains in operation, having survived the decline of CD sales in the 2000s. Amoeba stores generally focus on vinyl and compact discs.

<i>Safe at Home</i> 1968 studio album by The International Submarine Band

Safe at Home is a 1968 album by country rock group the International Submarine Band, led by the then-unknown 21-year-old Gram Parsons. The group's only album release, Safe at Home featured four of Parsons' original compositions rounded out by six covers of classic country and rock and roll songs made famous by the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Merle Haggard, and Hank Snow. Described as "hippie and hillbilly in equal measure", the album helped to forge the burgeoning country rock movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

"Sweet Virginia" is a song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and was the sixth song on the Rolling Stones' 1972 double album Exile on Main St. The song is a slow country-inspired composition with a saxophone solo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Parr</span> American country blues musician (born 1967)

Charlie Parr is an American country blues musician. Born in Austin, Minnesota, he spent part of his childhood in Hollandale before starting his music career in Duluth. His influences include Charlie Patton, Bukka White, Reverend Gary Davis, Dave Van Ronk, Mississippi John Hurt, and his self-professed "hero" "Spider" John Koerner. He plays a Mule resonator, National resonator guitar, a fretless open-back banjo, and a twelve-string guitar, often in the Piedmont blues style. He is divorced from Emily Parr, who occasionally adds vocals to his music. He has two children.

"Hickory Wind" is a song written by country rock artist Gram Parsons and former International Submarine Band member Bob Buchanan. The song was written on a train ride the pair took from Florida to Los Angeles in early 1968, and first appeared on The Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo album. Despite Buchanan's input, "Hickory Wind" is generally considered to be Parsons' signature song. Parsons' decision to play "Hickory Wind" instead of the planned Merle Haggard cover "Life in Prison" during The Byrds' performance at the Grand Ole Opry on March 15, 1968 "pissed off the country music establishment" and stunned Opry regulars to such an extent that the song is now considered essential to Parsons' legend.

<i>Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons</i> 1999 compilation album by various artists

Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons is a 1999 tribute album to pioneering country rock musician Gram Parsons, co-produced by his one-time singing partner, Emmylou Harris and featuring cover versions of songs written/co-written by or popularized by Parsons, performed by Harris, Beck, Wilco, The Pretenders, Cowboy Junkies, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams, David Crosby, Steve Earle, Chris Hillman and many other artists. The album was released from Almo Sounds and benefited Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation's "Campaign for a Landmine Free World."

<i>Gram Parsons Archives Vol.1: Live at the Avalon Ballroom 1969</i> 2007 live album by The Flying Burrito Brothers

Gram Parsons Archives Vol.1: Live at the Avalon Ballroom 1969 is a live album by the country rock band the Flying Burrito Brothers. It was recorded on April 4 and 6, 1969, at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco. It was released by Amoeba Records as a two-disc CD on November 6, 2007. Comprising 27 tracks, the album includes several songs not previously released by the band, such as "She Once Lived Here" and "You Win Again".

The Coal Porters were a British-American bluegrass band headquartered in London and led by Sid Griffin and Neil Robert Herd. The group disbanded in July 2018. The other members were Kerenza Peacock, Paul Fitzgerald and Andrew Stafford. Griffin formed the group in Los Angeles in 1989 and then reorganised the band after moving to London.

Jonny Kaplan is an American singer songwriter. He resides in Los Angeles.

Albert Sidney "Sid" Griffin is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist-mandolinist, bandleader, and author who lives in London, England. He led the Long Ryders band in the 1980s, founded the Coal Porters group in the 1990s, has recorded several solo albums and is the author of volumes on Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons and bluegrass music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Vosse</span> American journalist and publicist

Michael Vosse was an American journalist and A&M Records publicist. He is best known as assistant to Brian Wilson during the formation of the Beach Boys' Brother Records and the recording of the album Smile (1966–67). His work also included limited time serving as a television producer, and narrator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Return of the Grievous Angel</span> 1974 single by Gram Parsons

"Return of the Grievous Angel" is a song written by Gram Parsons and poet Tom Brown. The song depicts the experiences of the character during a road travel across the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marvin Etzioni</span> Musical artist

Marvin Elan Etzioni is an American singer, mandolinist, bassist, and record producer. Also known as the Mandolin Man, Etzioni is best known as a founder of, and bassist for, the band Lone Justice. He is a noted record producer and has released three solo albums.

References

  1. ↑ Cromelin, Richard (July 8, 2004). "The hier to a parent". Los Angeles Times.
  2. ↑ Boone, Brian (February 27, 2023). "The Tragic Real-Life Story of Gram Parsons". Grunge.
  3. ↑ "Cash Takes Top Americana Honors". Los Angeles Times. July 8, 2004.
  4. ↑ Miller, Jeff (July 1, 2004). "Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons". Variety.
  5. ↑ Halperin, Shirley (August 19, 2004). "Gram Parsons Celebrated". Rolling Stone.
  6. ↑ "Richards Leads Parsons Tributes". Billboard. July 11, 2004.
  7. ↑ Wener, Ben (July 13, 2004). ""Gram Parsons' Daughter Polly Stages Two Tribute Concerts In His Honor."". Jampol Artist Management.
  8. ↑ "Gram Parsons Tribute – Universal Amphitheatre". No Depression. September 1, 2004.
  9. ↑ "Return to Sin City - A Tribute to Gram Parsons". Amazon. March 22, 2005.
  10. ↑ "Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons Various Artists". AllMusic. March 22, 2005.
  11. ↑ "Return To Sin City - A Tribute To Gram Parsons". Discogs.
  12. ↑ "Richards Leads Parsons Tributes". Billboard. July 11, 2004.
  13. ↑ Ferreiro, Laura (March 1, 2012). "Gram Parsons' daughter offers aid to ailing musicians, relaunches Foundation at SXSW". MusicforGood.
  14. ↑ "Charity Events To Launch Gram Parsons Foundation". Look To The Stars. February 21, 2012.
  15. ↑ Ashlock, Alex (March 14, 2012). "A Daughter Remembers Gram Parsons, 'Father Of Country Rock'". WBUR.
  16. ↑ Rogers, Nate (November 20, 2023). "How a beloved L.A. record store unearthed a long-lost Gram Parsons recording". Los Angeles Times.
  17. ↑ "Recently discovered Gram Parsons recordings to be released by Amoeba". Beverly Press. November 17, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Unreleased Gram Parsons Live LP Will Be Available on Record Store Day Black Friday November 24". Amoeba Music.
  19. ↑ "Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels - Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels - The Last Roundup: Live from the Bijou Café in Philadelphia March 16th 1973". Record Store Day.
  20. ↑ Liebig, Lorie (September 23, 2023). "Hear a Stirring Unreleased Live Version of Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels' "Love Hurts" from Upcoming LP". American Songwriter.
  21. ↑ Willman, Chris (November 26, 2023). "Gram Parsons Emerges From the Lost and Found: How a Great, Misplaced 1973 Concert Tape Became One of the Record Store Day Hits of 2023". Variety.
  22. ↑ Willman, Chris (November 26, 2023). "Gram Parsons Emerges From the Lost and Found: How a Great, Misplaced 1973 Concert Tape Became One of the Record Store Day Hits of 2023". Variety.
  23. ↑ Miller, Julius (November 17, 2023). "Tale of a Lost Tape: How a New Gram Parsons Album Came to Life 50 Years After His Death". Los Angeles Magazine.
  24. ↑ "Meet Sound As Ever". Sound As Ever.
  25. ↑ "Sound As Ever Fine Made Goods for the Mindful". Sound As Ever.
  26. ↑ "Daddy Van Productions". Lighting & Sound America.
  27. ↑ "World Tours - Daddy Van". Daddy Van Productions.
  28. ↑ "Music Videos - Daddy Van". Daddy Van Productions.
  29. ↑ Nichols, David (June 23, 2006). "A rock opera in "Pill" form". Los Angeles Times.
  30. ↑ Miller, Jeff (December 9, 2004). "Parsons' resurrection". Los Angeles Times.
  31. ↑ "Taking the Jesus Pill - Hollywood". Amoeba Music. July 25, 2006.
  32. ↑ Berrent, Sloane (August 23, 2006). "Taking The Jesus Pill". LAist.
  33. ↑ "Taking The Jesus Pill". Amazon. August 12, 2006.
  34. ↑ "Taking The Jesus Pill". Discogs. 2006.
  35. ↑ Schneider, Mitch (January 2024). "PAMELA DES BARRES Returns By Popular Demand To The Whisky A Go Go In LA 3/17".
  36. ↑ "Richards Leads Parsons Tributes". Billboard. July 11, 2004.
  37. ↑ Ferreiro, Laura (March 1, 2012). "Gram Parsons' daughter offers aid to ailing musicians, relaunches Foundation at SXSW". MusicforGood.
  38. ↑ "Charity Events To Launch Gram Parsons Foundation". Look To The Stars. February 21, 2012.
  39. ↑ Moser, Margaret (July 31, 2009). "Do Right Woman". The Austin Chronicle.
  40. ↑ Willman, Chris (November 26, 2023). "Gram Parsons Emerges From the Lost and Found: How a Great, Misplaced 1973 Concert Tape Became One of the Record Store Day Hits of 2023". Variety.
  41. ↑ "Highly Successful Sober Living Homes Expand to Include Addiction Treatment". PR Web. November 5, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.