Abby Parks was born with a fierce passion for music that her parents recognized early on, buying her a guitar for her 12th birthday. She began lessons as a teen and turned her attention to classical guitar after hearing the music of noted classical guitarist John Michael Talbot. Parks began singing solo with her guitar in church and then majored in classical guitar at Colorado Christian University in Denver, also studying piano, voice, and music composition. There were many paths she could have taken with the musical knowledge she had gained, but Parks had developed a great affection for songs she’d heard in the folk and songwriting traditions, particularly by artists like Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins. Lyrics that told stories and delved deeper into the human psyche than typical pop songs gave her a desire to take her music in that direction. By the time she had moved to the U.K. with her family in 1995, Parks had enough songs under her belt to begin performing live, including a performance in 2000 at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, Scotland. Finally settling in Alabama, Parks released her debut CD Moving On in 2005 and performed throughout the southeast in venues ranging from coffeehouses and churches to theaters, clubs, and festivals. As her songwriting matured, Parks turned her attention to the rich southern heritage she can lay claim to. Stories told to her throughout her life about her family’s background became the source for many of her songs off her latest CD The Homeplace, including the title track “The Homeplace,” “Lambert Road,” and “Wild Dogs.” Recorded at Huntsville’s Sound Cell Studio, The Homeplace was produced with the help of Doug Jansen Smith (Take 6, Brian McKnight, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Phil Collins). The CD features imaginative instrumentation accompanying her unique finger-style guitar playing, creating an evocative atmosphere for Parks to spin reflective narratives in song.
Folk Renaissance Radio Show
Announcing the launch of the Folk Renaissance Radio Show, which airs through Jacksonville State University (Alabama) on 92J WLJS (91.9 FM ) from 9-11pm cst Sunday nights (also available as live stream) and features all varieties of folk music from traditional to new Folk, Celtic, World, Roots, some Singer/songwriter, and some Americana
Launch of the new Folk Renaissance Website
I just launched my new site Folk Renaissance (www.folkrenaissance.com), a site dedicated to celebrating folk music, and, art, and literature.
Appearance on Kelli's Acoustic Crossroads
I appeared on Kelli's Acoustic Crossroads, a local TV show out of Gadsden, Alabama last April, and below is a video of the show. Kelli was an awesome host and interviewer, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly! Copy and paste this link into your browser to view it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEUtqtugfiw
- Sep, 15 Iron Bank Coffee
- Apr, 20 Noble Street Fest
- Apr, 23 Kelli's Acoustic Crossroads--WEAC TV 24
- Jun, 01 Private Event
- Jun, 07 The Event Center Downtown
- Jun, 15 Ten East Washington Restaurant and Bar
- Jun, 21 Iron Bank Coffee
- Jul, 20 Cheaha Brewing Co.
- Aug, 16 Cheaha Brewing Co.
- Sep, 20 Cheaha Brewing Co.
- Oct, 04 Cheaha Brewing Co.
- Oct, 26 Neewollah on Noble
- Nov, 08 Cheaha Brewing Co.
- Dec, 05 Cheaha Brewing Co.
- Dec, 07 Elliot Community Center
- Dec, 11 The Crimson Tiger
- Dec, 20 Cheaha Brewing Co.
- Jan, 16 Cheaha Brewing Co.
- Jan, 23 Hubbards Off Main
- Jan, 30 Cheaha Brewing Co.
- Feb, 01 Cheaha Brewing Co.
- Feb, 13 Cheaha Brewing Co.
- Mar, 14 Cheaha Brewing Company
- Apr, 05 Noble Street Festival
- Apr, 26 The Peerless Saloon
- May, 02 Cheaha Brewing Company
- May, 09 Berkeley Bob's Coffee House
- May, 15 Folk Renaissance Showcase
- May, 17 Folk Renaissance Showcase
- Jun, 12 Cheaha Brewing Company
- Jun, 13 Mellow Mushroom
- Jun, 20 The Peerless Saloon
- Jul, 10 On Tap Sports Cafe
- Jul, 12 Anniston Downtown Market
- Jul, 12 Mellow Mushroom
- Jul, 18 The Peerless Saloon
- Jul, 31 Heroes American Grille
- Aug, 29 Mellow Mushroom
- Sep, 19 Mellow Mushroom
- Sep, 20 Leeds Downtown Folk Festival
- Sep, 27 Wise Guys Pizza
Noble Street Fest
Noble Street Fest
Anniston, AL
Kelli's Acoustic Crossroads--WEAC TV 24
I will be performing on this awesome new TV show featuring singer/songwriters and bands: Kelli's Acoustic Crossroads on WEAC TV 24! Hosted by Kelli Johnson! Showcasing the best Local talent in Northeast Alabama. Please tune in!
Tickets and More Information
Private Event
The Event Center Downtown
Ten East Washington Restaurant and Bar
Iron Bank Coffee
#6 West 11th St.
Columus, GA
Cheaha Brewing Co.
Cheaha Brewing Co.
Cheaha Brewing Co.
Cheaha Brewing Co.
Cheaha Brewing Co.
Cheaha Brewing Co.
Elliot Community Center
2829 W Meighan Blvd
Gadsden, AL 35904
Benefit Concert for Danny Moon
The Crimson Tiger
1001 Noble Street
Anniston, AL 36201
Hubbards Off Main
20 Choccolocco St
Oxford, AL 36205
(256) 403-0258
Cheaha Brewing Company
Noble Street Festival
Acoustic Set w/Heather Ross - TBA
10th Street and Noble
Anniston Alabama 36207
US (256) 236-6346
Price: Free
The Peerless Saloon
Cheaha Brewing Company
Double Bill--Abby Parks and Steve Norris
1208 Walnut Ave.
Anniston Alabama 36201
US 256-770-7300
Price: Free
Tickets and More Information
Berkeley Bob's Coffee House
Acoustic Show with Karen Newsum in Cullman, Alabama
Folk Renaissance Showcase
Montreat Conference Center
401 Assembly Dr, Montreat, NC 28757
(800) 572-2257
Tickets and More Information
Folk Renaissance Showcase
Cheaha Brewing Company
Mellow Mushroom
The Peerless Saloon
15 West 10th St.
Anniston Alabama 36201
US (256) 238-1899
I'll be back at the Peerless for a full solo show. Come out and support local live music and artists!
On Tap Sports Cafe
1200 Main Street
Fultondale Alabama 35068
Will be performing for an hour and a half in an event called Songwriters on the Patio as part of the event Dogs on the Patio, hosted by the Friends of the Fultondale Bark Park! Free Event! Bring your dogs!
Anniston Downtown Market
1218 Market Way
Anniston Alabama 36201
I will be the entertainment from 9-11am during the Anniston Downtown Farmers Market, so come ready to stock up on great food and be entertained while you do so!
Mellow Mushroom
The Peerless Saloon
Double Bill--Abby Parks and Jake Hale - 9pm
15 West 10th St.
Anniston Alabama 36201
US (256) 238-1899
Heroes American Grille
8896 McClellan Blvd
Jacksonville Alabama 36206
256-405-4366
My first solo show at this awesome fun-loving venue. Come out for great food, drinks, and entertainment!
Tickets and More Information
Mellow Mushroom
Mellow Mushroom
Leeds Downtown Folk Festival
Wise Guys Pizza
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Wild DogsAbby Parks Buyhttps://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ae-p/system/music/file/49526/1394259688.mp3https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ae-p/system/music/file/49526/1394259688.mp3Wild Dogs
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CavesAbby Parks Buyhttps://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ae-p/system/music/file/49532/1394295280.mp3https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ae-p/system/music/file/49532/1394295280.mp3Caves
Email: info@abbyparks.com
Phone: (256) 225-2685
Visit the official site for Abby Parks at www.abbyparks.com