Parker Ryan - Q&A with Twitter Jay

Written By Twitter Jay
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Less than one minute. That’s roughly how long it took for me to realize that this artist was a force to be reckoned with. I woke up that morning and a friend had sent me a link to his debut EP. I dialed it up on the way to work and settled in for my morning drive. It was almost immediately evident to me that this artist had something to say, and people need to listen up. 

His Name is Parker Ryan, 19, from College Station, TX. Don’t let his age fool you. Parker’s striking lyrics are relatable to music fans of all ages, and the production on this group of songs is impeccable. He sings of Familial strife, love gone wrong, and a sense of home on his EP “Talbert Street Pt.1”. Produced by Ethan Whitaker at his home in College Station, The EP includes 5 original songs and two acoustic demos. 

I recently had the opportunity to speak to Parker and ask him about his background, influences, and his plans for the future. He couldn’t have been more humble. I hope you enjoy reading the interview as much as I enjoyed the chat!

So Parker, I know you’re out of College Station, TX now. Can you give us a little more on your background? 

Well, I live in college station now, but I was actually born and raised on a chicken farm in Huntington, Tx. I moved to Galveston, TX about halfway through my Junior year of high school.

In January of 2020 after graduation, I decided to move to College Station to live with my brother. I just wanted to get the hell out of dodge after graduation y’ know.  I started playing guitar when I was 8 years old, but I didn’t actually start writing songs until I was 16. I was fortunate. In my hometown of Huntington, I had some friends that also played instruments. We put together a cover band named “Loose Gravel” and we played a lot of Metallica, and Jimi Hendrix covers, stuff like that. We played shows at shitholes all around East Texas haha. We had fun and it was a great experience. 

Who would you say are your major influences? On “Talbert Street Pt. 1” I hear country, with shades of the blues, some folk sprinkled in.

I have a pretty broad spectrum of influences really. Lyrically and sonically, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and James Taylor were major influences on Talbert Street Pt.1 and Talbert Street Pt. 2. More of an acoustic sound with an emphasis on the songwriting. My guitar playing is a different story! My playing is very blues based. Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix are my guitar idols. I really like metal guitar as well. The riffs that I write are more hard rock based. Billy Strings is incredible. I’ve been studying his work as well because I’m blown away by his Bluegrass solos. So I have many influences that span many genres. 

How did “Talbert Street” come about? Who produced it, and how did the recording process play out?

It was produced by Ethan Whitaker. I actually met Ethan at my first show in College Station. We hit it off right away. I told him that I was planning to record some songs and I was going to pay for it to be done. He said “Man … I’ll do it for free. We can do it at my house. Come over and we’ll see what happens.” When I got there we just hung out and talked about music. He asked me to play some songs that I wanted to record and as soon as I started playing he said “Holy Shit! Plug In! Let’s record.” Haha. So we recorded the EP within 3-4 weeks of meeting each other. It came together really quickly!

How would you say you got your first “big break”?

Haha so this is actually an embarrassing story.

Let’s hear it!

So I had just moved to College station and I went to a show at a bar/venue called The Tap with my brother. It was a slow night. Jordan Nix and Tanner Usrey were playing that night, and at the time I had no idea who they were. I was 3 sheets to the wind. After hearing them play I HAD to talk to them. I wanted to play that venue. I was blown away. I saw Jordan Nix walk off stage to go to the bathroom and said to myself “This is my chance” Haha. I actually walked into the bathroom to talk to him! I could tell that he was thinking “Who the fuck is this kid”. He was cool about it though and later that night he gave me his number. I sent him a few videos of my songs. Very quickly he said ‘Damn man. You’re very good.” He asked me to open a show for him and Jacob Stelly. After that Stelly asked me to open a show for him, and that was actually the night that I met my producer Ethan Whitaker.

I mean that’s slightly embarrassing but it’s a hell of a story!

Haha it is embarrassing! Jordan and I laugh about it all the time and he’s become one of my best friends over this past year. We hang out a lot and share songs with each other. He’s one of the nicest dudes you could ever meet. His songwriting is unreal. I’m constantly blown away by his work.

2020 was a crazy year for artists. Did it stifle any of your plans at all? It sounds like everything has still come together quite well for you.

Right after Covid19 hit, I was thinking “Wow, this just screwed up everything.” All of my plans immediately went out of the window. But then everything came together organically, and it still happened much faster than I ever thought that it would. I believe 100% that it was due to the fact that everyone I’ve met has been so welcoming. Jordan Nix has helped me so much and been so supportive. Like I said he introduced me to Jacob Stelly. Through Stelly I met Braxton Keith and Kat Hasty. Then I met Pecos and the Rooftops, Tanner Usrey, and Graycie York. Just an incredible group of artists and people. Oddly, Covid19 hit pause on the world and allowed me to catch up a bit. That gave me a chance to really focus and get shit done. Putting everything into the music. So looking back, 2020 was actually a productive year.

So you mentioned “Talbert Street PT. 2”. Is that on the way soon?

Well we recently announced that I’m releasing a new single entitled “Beaumont” on January 30th. That night, I’m booked to play at The Tap in College Station for the single release party. I’m hoping to have Jordan Nix, Braxton Keith, Lucas Jagneaux, Zach Welch, Graycie York, and maybe Tanner Usrey and JR Carroll opening for me that night. A truly Badass lineup. That night I’m actually going to ‘Ghost drop” Talbert Street Pt.2. “Beaumont” will be the first single from the new EP!

Wow! That’s awesome! Any other big plans for the new year?

After the EP, we’re trying to get in the studio to record either another EP or a short album with a full band. We’re going to spend a little money on it and do it in a professional studio this time around. It’s definitely going to be a more rock based, bluesy sound but still country of course. The focus will always be the songwriting, even if the music can get overwhelming. Besides that, I’m putting a website together, and I plan to play as many shows as possible in 2021!


Well, it sounds like you’re putting in the work and doing it the right way! We’re all excited for what’s next! Stay safe out there and keep em’ coming buddy!

Thanks man! I’m as excited for what’s next as well!

TALBERT STREET PT. 2 AVAILABLE NOW!

Twitter Jay
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