What is your names?
Phillip Michael Parsons
What is your genre of music?
Country with pop and rock influences!
Give us a little bio about you.
I am originally from Florida but moved all over the U.S. as a child, finally landing in Southern Maryland at 11 years old. Southern Maryland is very rural and is known for the Chesapeake Bay, crabs and Amish people. Being from a small town absolutely plays a huge part in my music. I began playing the guitar and posting videos on social media six years ago. After I played my first acoustic solo performance, I was absolutely hooked. I was asked to play a songwriter’s round before I had any original music finished. That lit a fire under me to finish four songs. I then decided to record those songs in Nashville in 2015 and released my first EP in April of that year. When that EP rose to #33 on the iTunes charts, I realized that maybe I had a shot of pursuing music as a full-time gig. I began searching for musicians and played my first full band show in 2016. In March of 2017 I left my career with the Department of Defense and began playing regionally and growing to semi-nationally in 2018.
What made you go into music?
Music is so powerful to people, including me. I wanted to share my own experiences with audiences and make my passion something I could do forever. When I listen to music I want to see a picture painted, I want to be in the moment with the artist and feel the things they felt when writing it. I love using specifics in my songs that can also be paralleled to something more broad and relatable to all.
Who are your influences?
My biggest inspiration is Dierks Bentley. I’m inspired by the way he has handled his career and always written powerful music.
Are you a signed?
I am not, but being signed one day would be wild! I distribute through Heart Songs Records and I love my team. They have always believed in me and cheered me on!
Your new single ‘Give It To Me Country’ is out, tell us more about the single.
The track went viral on TikTok when I shared, just asking if people would jam to it this summer if I released it. The response was amazing! I knew it was special, but that support only made me more stoked to get it out there to fans. It’s the kind of song that is perfect for playing while you drive down the road with the windows rolled down.
What is the meaning behind the single?
“Give It To Me Country” is all about my roots. Country music is not only my passion now, it was the first genre of music I really got into when I was a kid. Now, I know that when I want to return to my roots, I need some good country music, a cold beer, and dirt roads.
Who did you work with on the single?
I worked with my buddy Brandon Manley and we co-wrote the track with Ethan Willis and Sam Fuller. It was awesome having a tight-knit team to work on the song.
Describe the track in two words.
Summer vibe!
What was the writing and recording process like?
So much fun! Recording with Brandon Manley, who is one of my best friends, was such a fun process! It was such a great feeling as the song came together in the studio seeing the full picture and potential of this song. The studio vibes were off the charts for this one!
Will we see a music video for ‘Give It To Me Country’ and if we do what can we expect from it?
I haven’t decided which one of my new songs will have a music video, but I do know in the next several months there will be one. I think this would be a super fun video to do with all of the country imagery and vibes that I love so much!
Will we see an EP or Album and if so, what can we expect from it and when does it release?
I love this question because the plan is to release an EP album later in the year! The album will be called Born This Way and will be a journey of my life. Heartbreak, my idea of fun and good times, hard times personally and with family, mistakes I’ve made, and so much more. It will also include my first true love song!
What else can we expect in 2021?
I have a few more singles that I’ll be releasing over the next few months as well as the EP in the fall/winter. I’m so excited to be in a place where I have TONS of music ready to release!
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I’ve always said that my longer term goals is to try and get a #1 and have the chance to tour the country playing my music as a headliner!
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
My favorite artist is Dierks Bentley and he has a quote in one of his songs that hits me so hard every time I hear it. I even have it tattooed on my arm. It says “Well you ain’t that old but you ain’t that young. You’ve lived a lot but you ain’t quite done.”
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
My guitar, my microphone, pedal board, one shot before going on and a quick prayer with the band!
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Of course! My website , and I’m on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram!