Lee Roy Parnell

Born on 21 December 1956 in Abilene Texas

When you think of Texas Roots music one name stands out from the pack and that's Lee Roy Parnell.

With a blend of Abrasive Honky Tonk, Rock n roll, Blues, boogie, Western Swing Gospel and soul you have an artist that's hard to pigeon hole and maybe that's why Lee Roy Parnell had his incredible run of success in the 90's country charts.

Born on 21 December 1956 in Abilene Texas he grew up on his parents ranch, that he became a singer and musician is no surprise, when you realised his father had actually toured with the legendary Bob Wills in fact Lee Roy's first public performance was on Wills radio show when he was only 6 years old.

He had progressed to playing the drums in a local band as a teenager and he soon picked up the guitar eventually settling for slide playing. In his late teens he joined Kinky Friedman's Texas Jewboys and moved to Austin in 1974. He was to spend the next 10 years honing his skills playing in clubs in Austin, Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth. He was at the end of this period a skilled songwriter and guitarist.

Moving to Nashville

Moving to Nashville in 1987 he very quickly landed a publishing contract and regular spot at the famous Bluebird Cafe.

1989 saw Lee Roy Parnell sign for Arista Records and within the year he had released his self titled first album, which was a collection of horn driven country soul. Commercially it was no great shakes but his 1992 album Love Without Mercy which highlighted Lee Roy's slide guitar abilities proved to be a great hit. With two tracks from the album hitting No 2 in the country charts these were What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am, and Tender Moment, The Title track also made it into the top ten.

His next album On the Road which was released in 1993 produced two more Top Tens in its title track and "I'm Holding My Own," and surprisingly the fantastic duet with Ronnie Dunn (of Brooks & Dunn) of Hank Williams' "Take These Chains From My Heart" only made the Top 20.

By 1995 Lee Roy was tailoring his records for Country Radio and his We All Get Lucky Sometimes featured duets with artist such as Trisha Yearwood, Mary Chapin Carpenter this album spawned two Top Five hits in "A Little Bit of You" and "Heart's Desire."

Sadly 1997 saw Lee Roy make his last new album for Arista when his Every Night's a Saturday Night flopped However and fortunately for us Lee Roy turned up on the Vanguard label, his first album for them was in 2001 entitled Tell the Truth. This year sees him releasing a brand new album entitled Back to the Well. This album has been described as the man who found himself. It certainly seems to do that. Lee Roy does everything he does well and then some in this album with spine tingling electric slide guitar.

He has also found his way back to the country blues, southern rock n soul that started his march to fame and set him apart from his contemporaries. Lee Roy’s assessment of Back To the Well? “Best record I ever made in my life,” he boldly states. “Absolutely. I don't mean to be uppity about that, I just honestly believe it is. I'm proud of it, lyrically, sonically, melodically, and it all came out of not even trying to make a record. Believe me, this record’s as much of a revelation to me as it is to a listener who cares enough to dig in and really listen to it. But it’s me, suitin' up and showin' up like I always do.”

Listen to Lee Roy reflecting on the Blues music that influenced him, his thoughts about making the new album and a helpful lesson in playing the slide guitar. In addition, a bonus clip of Back to the Well live is also available. Click Here To Visit The site

Albums

Back to the Well Label: Universal South Released: 03.07.2006

Tell the Truth Label: Vanguard Released: 06.12.2001

Hits and Highways Ahead Label: BMG Special Products Released: 08.24.1999

Every Night's a Saturday Night Label: Career Released: 06.17.1997

We All Get Lucky Sometimes Label: Career Released: 01.01.1995

On the Road Label: Arista Records Released: 10.26.1993

Love Without Mercy Label: Arista Records Released: 01.01.1992

Lee Roy Parnell Label: Arista Records Released: 01.01.1990

Back to the Well Album by Lee Roy Parnell reviewed by Blazing Boots Magazine

Back to the well written by Lee Roy Parnell & Gary Nicholson
Southern rock at it’s best from the first beats you feel your body swaying with the rhythm the guitar work is second to none as you would expect from someone of lee roy parnell’s experience, a great dance hit in the making.

Something Out of Nothing written by Lee Roy Parnell & Tony Arata
A thought provoking love song with that laid back country meets soul &  blues that lee roy masters so well.

Just Lucky That Way written by Lee Roy Parnell & Gary Nicholson
I was sitting listening to this with the sun streaming through the window surrounded by peace and quiet and it just summed up my mood. A real easy listen gentle on the nerves and spirit,

Old Soul written by Lee Roy Parnell & Tony Arata
A thought provoking song about life’s struggles based around a young girl becoming a your mother but could apply to many of us.

Don’t Water It Down written by Lee Roy Parnell & Gary Nicholson & Allen Shamblin
Slide that guitar I like my coffee strong and black says lee roy parnell and this gutsy song compliments that sentiment you can feel it from way on down.

Daddies and Daughters written by Lee Roy Parnell & Tony Arata
Now I’ve got two sons but I know where he’s coming from with this song, you think you’re living until you get children and then your life really begins. A pleasant easy to listen to easy to dance to song.

You Can’t Lose ‘Em All written by Lee Roy Parnell & Tom Handbridge
I’m a gambling man and he’s right you can’t lose em all but you can try too. Some really clever rhythms going on in this song, you can’t help but move to it.

Breaking The Chain written by Lee Roy Parnell & Tony Arata
The title is self explanatory it’s a song about making changes and not accepting what life is throwing at you. Another song where the guitar work has you drooling.

The Hunger written by Lee Roy Parnell & Tony Arata
Hopes fade but you don’t give in, that’s what this song is all about

That’s All There Is written by Lee Roy Parnell & Tony Arata
A great love song about how simple a good love can be, the comfort it brings which is more precious than silver pearls etc. a great swingy number.

Saving Grace written by Lee Roy Parnell & Gary Nicholson
Another self explanatory title explaining how your love is your saving grace and how lucky you can be.

Cool Breeze written by Lee Roy Parnell & Kevin McKendree
Country meets jazz/blues/swing and more a great instrumental to finish off a great album, just listen to the quality of music on this track, it sums up the quality throughout.

Lee Roy Parnell titled this album back to the well. It’s lived up to it’s promise and then some, This album shows off an artist who his playing at his best playing what he loves and it shows.  Not a like today hate tomorrow album.  It grows and grows on you,  the quality just oozes out of every groove, perversely you start to hate it when a song finishes because you want to hear more. Then your glad it did because another gem comes sliding up on you.

If you don’t have a Lee Roy Parnell album in your collection then get this one, if you do have one then your collection won’t be complete without this classic. I know that’s a bit strong for a recently released album but trust me this album is going to be a must have classic.

Arista must be kicking themselves for letting an artist of this calibre go.

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