PARRY LAMONT

Behind every artist that breaks through, there are countless talents who are likely to remain forever invisible. One such artist is the American singer / songwriter Steve Parry.

Parry grew up in a small farming community in Minnesota. Living in cities like Chicago, New Orleans and Seattle, he sought the American Dream. A storyteller with a coarse voice and his acoustic guitar, he jumped into the local club scene to make a living.

Steve took the time to work with producer Chris Cunningham (Storyhill) compiling the personal collection of songs for his debut album "The Fight Left In Me". It is an album in the tradition of singer-songwriters Guy Clark, Jeffrey Foucault, John Prine and Jonathan Byrd. The result is an album where both fans of the singer-songwriter genre, and of the finger-picking guitar are not to be disappointed.

Accompanied by professional guides as Tom Murphy, Britt Smith, Rebecca Patek, Chris Cunningham, Duke Sharp, Sarah Morris, Justin Roth, Parry dishes us up "The Fight Left In Me." It is a collection of ten beautiful songs that you can get away napping to. The album is subtle, warm and precisely measured. Lovely relaxing songs like: Tao Of Betsy, Raising Hell, Till I'm Dead and So Sings The Cowboy. Songs carried by a lone banjo, a poignant violin, harmonica, or a grieving the long low sound of an accordion.

"The Fight Left In Me" is an excellent introduction to the folk music of American singer Steve Parry. I confidently dare to predict a bright future for him. - Johan Schoenmakers - AltCountryForum

It’s rare that an album comes across our desk that at first listen, might be mistaken for a new Guy Clark release. But, Steve Parry’s surprisingly impressive debut, The Fight Left In Me is an exception. This is an album that showcases Texas songwriting at its finest. Yet, oddly enough, Parry isn’t from Texas, at all. Still, somehow the influence of legendary Lone Star State native singer/songwriters, successfully found its way up to the snowy trenches of Stillwater, MN. Then again, Minnesota is no stranger to great storytelling, Bob Dylan is from there after all.

With bare-bones acoustic instrumentation, Steve Parry seems to have convincingly mastered the art of American character based songwriting. “Til I’m Dead,” featuring soft, subtle, Emmylou Harris style accompanying harmonies, tells a woeful, Steinbeck-esque, Grapes of Wrath tale of a man who moved west and lost his love to dreaded illness, but will continue to persevere and “work the land” until he’s dead. In “Raise Hell,” which includes dark, haunting lyrics and a picking style similar to Townes Van Zandt, Parry, like Merle Haggard did with “Mama Tried,” sings of a good seed gone bad, post sufficient tragedy, turning to a life of “whiskey, women, guns and beer.”

Whether or not Parry has actually lived through the sorrow he sings (let’s hope not), he never ceases to sound authentic. The Fight Left In Me begs the listener to grab a glass of whiskey, sit down for a good cry and join along wallowing in self-pity. Though it’s filled with themes of death, heartache and disappointment, with the closing track, “Hope,” Parry, determined to “not die alone,” proves that despite it all, he won’t give up on life and really does have the fight left in him. - Turnstyled Junkpiled Magazine

The best music has the power to transport you to another time or place and to fire your emotions. The music on Steve Parry's The Fight Left In Me definitely has that power. Listening to this album, I am instantly transported to the Great Plains of yesteryear. I can almost hear the campfire crackling in the background as Steve sings earnest songs of love and loss and hopes and dreams. For some reason, I hear Steve Parry sing and I envision the Marlboro Man and that iconic image of a self sufficient man ready to face any challenge. Steve faces the challenges of human drama in the many characters he creates on this album. In "My Name Is Martin Gibson," he sings about a shame so deep it passes through generations: "My name is Martin Gibson, you can't blame that on me. I'm just another dying branch on this family tree." Steve paints a beautifully melancholy portrait of the farmer in "Till I'm Dead:" "I stare out on that red horizon, God I hope there's better days ahead. I guess it don't matter what tomorrow brings; "cause I'll work this land till I'm dead." Like Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard, Steve Parry is a true Western troubador. His acoustic guitar and his strong, yet yearning baritone voice bring each of his characters to life and straight into your heart. With subtle touches of violin, banjo, mandolin, harmonica and accordian (expertly arranged by producer Chris Cuunigham of Storyhill) the songs are each a beautifully woven tapestry of music and story. But the greater harmony is that of a man in tune with himself. Like that old Marlboro Man, Steve understands the peace that comes with self awareness. In "Tao of Betsy" he sings: "The secret to life is simply this, find what you love and you follow your bliss." This singing cowboy is clearly doing what he loves, and the result is pure bliss for those of us lucky enough to ride along. - 2011 Family Reunion - Family Reunion Country

Before I even read the blurb that came with Steve Parry’s “The Fight Left in Me”, after hearing the first few bars of the very first song I thought to myself, Guy Clark.

In his bio, he states he drew from the strong story lines artists such as Mr. Clark, Townes Van Zandt, and Steve Earl have exhibited during their illustrious song-making careers. Mr. Clark and Mr. Earl are still pounding them out. They lived through so many hardships they could have written books and may someday. Instead, they put their stories to song. We lost Mr. Van Zandt much too early, but his music is immortal.

Minnesota’s Steve Parry, a seasoned folk singer who has lived life on the road performing for live crowds decided to put his stories in the guise of musical notes himself. It is obvious who his mentors are and that is fine, because rather than copying his mentors, he has expanded on what they have done, taking his experiences and relating them to us in song.

Mr. Parry’s experiences, growing up on a Midwestern farm have given him the material needed to get events put to either music or even a screenplay. Nevertheless, Mr. Parry’s forte is music and that is where his stories fit best. His voice is as good if not better than any other of the three fore mentioned artists. His lyrics are deeply textured, so much so, that you can almost smell the dust coming off the planked floors, I imagined his boots stomping on as he played.

He has the talent to paint stark pictures with his music and he proves it song after song. I guarantee this. If you love Guy Clark, you will also love Steve Parry and his debut album, “The Fight Left in Me”. His style is reminiscent, but I believe Mr. Parry’s voice is much smoother. I don’t intend to take away from Mr. Clark’s voice. I love it. It’s just that Mr. Parry has a stronger singing voice, which I believe would appeal to a larger, more diverse audience.

I suppose a more fair statement would be; if you love Texas music, then you’ll love Steve Parry and “The Fight Left in Me”.

It is available now and ‘Rebel’ Rod says to check it out! - Rebel Rod Ames - From Under the Basement

As the year winds down, we'll be taking time off to spend with family and to reflect on the year that's passed. One of our great joys this year was being able to share with you some of our favorite new indie Country artists. So here's our list of best Country Albums of 2011, including many of our new friends. (The list is alphabetical, not ranked.)

Hayes Carll: KMAG YoYo
Beautifully sloppy underground Country.
Chicken Tractor Deluxe: Nightclub Jacks & Undertakers
Great retro charm.
Casey Donahew Band: Double Wide Dream
A double dose of Texas road house energy.
Michael Donner & Southern Renaissance: No Better Time
Poetic and beautifully arranged debut with punches of guitar flurry.
Family Reunion: Family Album
What can we say? We made it, we like it!
The Far West: The Far West
Good old fashioned cry in your beer country.
Merle Haggard: Working in Tennessee
Still working, still legendary.
Robert Earl Keen: Ready for Confetti
The party never ends for the seminal Texas songwriter.
Toby Keith: Clancy's Tavern
Another great sing along (drink along) collection from Toby.
Miranda Lambert: Four the Record
Her amazing hit streak continues.
Martina McBride: Eleven
Her most heartfelt album to date.
Brad Paisly: This Is Country Music
This is great guitar work, sly humor, and an all star musical guest list.
Steve Parry: The Fight Left in Me
Real cowboy songs that pack emotional punch.
Kelly Thomas & The Fabulous Pickups: Fly
An anthem to dysfunctional relationships.

Merry Christmas to all y'all! See you in 2012! - Family Reunion - Family Reunion Country

Amy Speace Land Like A Bird THIRTY TIGERS
Craig Bickhart Brother in the Wind
STONE BARN
Mare Wakefield Meant To Be S.R.
Steve Parry The Fight Left In Me BASECAMP
Red Molly Light in the Sky S.R.
Eliza Gilkyson Roses at the End of Time
RED HOUSE
Allison Krauss Paper Airplane ROUNDER
Pharis & Jason Romero A Passing
Glimpse LULA RECORDS
The Once Row Upon Row of the People
You Know BOREALIS
Tom Russell Mesabi SHOUT - John Rumsey - KVMR FM