I had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy Parsons way back when he was first starting to break into the Nashville music scene on the heels of his debut record Doggondest Feelin'. Since those early days, Jeremy has continually grown as a writer, artist, and performer, and has relocated back to his home state of Texas. He recently released his newest album Things To Come, and I had the pleasure of catching up with Jeremy to talk with him about the album, finding his sobriety and the writing process that came with that, why his music is connecting with listeners, the influence of the Texas music scene on him, what he learned by living in Nashville for 11 years, and much more!

www.jeremyparsonsmusic.com

1. You released your newest album Things To Come earlier this year. Tell us a little bit about the album and what people can expect to hear from it.

“Things To Come” is my favorite record I have made to date. You will hear me forcing myself to look inward and at all my past experiences and the lessons I gathered from them. I put all of that, along with the feelings that came with them, under a microscope. I wanted to mix it all and link everything to our day-to-day human experiences. Take specific events and make them broad so all who desired to could feel included in the story. This record comes from years of observation, inner struggle, and knowing that we can choose to do better for ourselves, although we can't ever fully control it all. It is genuinely to all the things to come.

2. For your longtime fans, what is the major differences they will hear between this new batch of music when compared to your last album Things I Need To Say?

I think the thing that stands out the most to me is the growth. This album is a tighter version of Things I Need To Say. I was an unstable alcoholic on a warpath of self-destruction when I made that record. When I made this, I was very much in a mindset of self-love and focus. I knew who I was and where I was going, as I do, answering these questions still. I loved the Things I Need To Say record, but I made it with the mindset that I may never be saying anything else again. It felt more like I was bowing out, and I needed to get that off my chest. Things To Come was more of an I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere record for me. I'm happy to be here, and I can't wait for us to make more memories and sing more songs together. This record exposes that person while also casting light on the positive outlook that emerges from such darkness.

3. During the writing process for this record, you made some major life-changes; mainly choosing sobriety. How did these choices most affect your songwriting process for this album?

It was the central theme. It's scary sobering up. You hear so many artists quit and talk about it not feeling the same. I was scared I would become something lesser, and that's what I maybe would've become if I had not have had such incredible people around by way of my girlfriend at the time and close friends who were always so encouraging and supportive. You realize that everything is your choice. Sure crazy stuff happens that's out of your control, but how you react to it is entirely up to you, and when you have people around you that you care about and your actions start affecting them negatively, it can be eye-opening. You either choose to remove yourself from the timeline or come back better for yourself and everyone around you. I chose the latter and then decided to channel all of that into my craft as I always have. I emerged from the writing and recording of this project more aware and even more grateful than I had ever been for life and all its gifts.

4. 1s there one song from the album that stands out as your personal favorite and why?

The title track “Things To Come” is the stand-out track for me on this record. All of them on this record are personal favorites if I'm honest, but “Things To Come” is in a super rare category of songs. It's the only of its kind as it's the only one I've ever had to re-write until I felt it was exactly as it should be. I tend to move away from songs that don't naturally flow out of me. They will go in an "I'll come back to it pile" usually. This one was different, though. I felt compelled to write it, and I knew when I had it, I would know it, and that's what happened. One night I sat down at the house by myself, and it came out exactly how I knew it always should. Not only that, but when I finished and got the rough voice memo, I knew I had the title for my next record. Those tracks will always be my favorite. Those that break ground on the fertile soil that is a new project.

5. Your past couple of singles found success on the Roots Report Chart. What is it about your music do you feel makes it resonate with listeners the most?

I've always done my best to try and not just write about my own experience. Sure we are all writing from our perspective and something we've been through, but we're all riding the same spinning sphere daily, and although the situation might not exactly be the same, we are all feeling the same way about different things. It's important to me not to set out on a song as a selfish endeavor. That's never been what connected me to music, and I want to give back exactly what I've always gotten from a song. I can't say for sure that's the connecting point, but that's what I try to do, and I hope that shows. It means so much to me; people mean so much to me.

6. You were born in Texas. Once you started playing music, how much of an influence did that incredible music scene have on you early on?

I would be immediately struck by lightning if I said the Texas influence didn't wholly wrap me around its finger. Being from and living in this state is like a musical cheat code as far as the scene goes. There's a well in every city you can pump for inspiration. Whether it's a theater, honky-tonk, BBQ joint, or dive bar. There's live music everywhere. I was spoiled, and everyone is so supportive and encouraging. They want to play and write and travel and connect over the same thing you love. Lone Star mutual passions unite, if you will. I can say I learned a lot from all the experiences I've had everywhere musically. Still, I can specifically remember going to shows with my sister as a teenager before I even picked up a guitar and seeing some acts and absorbing things like a sponge. A standout in my memory was witnessing Pat Greens' ever-famous stage presence. He had complete control over the crowd and had this ability to make you feel like, yes, he was the star of the show but also a guy that was there in the group with you; I loved that. It's connecting with your audience, and it's so important. They might be looking up to you on the stage, but everyone should feel all on the same level. Nobody's better than anybody. The crowd wouldn't be there if you weren't, and you wouldn't be there without the crowd.

7. You did eventually make the move to Nashville and lived here for several years. What did being a part of the Nashville music scene teach you the most that you still carry with you today?

The move to Nashville was essential for me. I don't know who I'd be right now if it weren't for the life I lived in that town. I came to understand the business of it all more and quicker than I think I would've had I stayed in Texas. It's good to make big moves like that in life in general and get outside of your comfort zone. I had initially planned to go up and give it a shot. It couldn't hurt. I said I'd give myself six months, and I ended up staying almost eleven years. I found growth as a writer, guitar player, singer, and person. The main lesson I learned is that I know who I am both as an artist and an individual, and in my mind, that's everything. I'm forever grateful for that time, city, and all those with whom I crossed paths.

8. You did end up moving back to Texas. What prompted that move and how has it benefitted you and your music in ways that Nashville couldn’t anymore?

As I said, I grew a lot in Nashville, and for folks like me, I think that's what it is for, growth and self-exploration. As far as making the music you want to make and staying independent without having a previous platform to jump from while maintaining your preferred sound, Texas is the place to be. I can't speak for everyone, of course, only myself, but I like the freedom to create in whatever direction I want to go. I was feeling uninspired in Nashville there at the last little bit of my time. When I moved up that way, I knew that there was likely a limit on my time in that city. I'm happy I stayed as long as I did, but I always knew I could come back to Texas and do what I needed whenever the time felt right, so that's what I did when it felt like it was time.

9. You’re known for your live shows and you have a bunch of them lined up this summer (2021). What are you most looking forward to with these shows and what can people who have never seen you live expect from them?

I am most looking forward to the shows in general. It's been so lovely getting back to one of my favorite parts of this job. Connecting with people over live music is one of the greatest gifts. Folks can be sure to expect non-stop music and post-pandemic energy. They can also expect to hear every song off the new record and also some brand-new tunes I've been writing and working on during the lockdown, as well as tunes from Things I Need To Say and my first record, Doggondest Feelin'. If I can make you laugh and sing, it will be a win for all of us. I want to make sure everyone has a great time. I know I will. I'm up there doing what I love, but I always want to bring my A-plus game for whoever comes out to see me too.

10. What is the best piece of advice that you can offer an aspiring songwriter/artist just trying to break into the music business?

Make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. If you can't imagine doing anything else because you're never happier, then you're on the right path when you're playing and singing or doing anything industry-related. It's not a glamorous lifestyle, and you will lose more than you will gain, especially at first. But when you're doing it for the love of the craft, the losses even feel like wins. It's all experience, and you are experiencing life through the purest form of joy you have found. Like my dad has always told me, "if you're doing what you love, you will never work a day in your life."

Learn more about Jeremy Parsons by visiting his official website at: www.jeremyparsonsmusic.com

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