www.whiskeyriff.com
Parker McCollum Confesses He Had His Doubts While Recording His New Record: “This Is Career Suicide”
It’s release week for Parker McCollum‘s fifth studio record.
The self-titled album PARKER MCCOLLUM is due everywhere later this week on June 27th, and fans are more than eager to get their hands on the album that McCollum has touted as some of his best writing yet.
“It is the best thing I’ve ever done. This record is honest, this record is raw, this record is one thousand percent authentic, Parker, and it feels really good to get back to writing and recording songs like I always wanted to.”
Studio tomorrow. Crazy to be recording my 5th studio album. I know for 100% fact that these songs and this record is best I’ve put together since the kid. Took me a long time to get back to this place as a songwriter. Feels good to be happy about my songs again.
— Parker McCollum (@ParkerMcCollum) March 20, 2024
Based on the singles we have gotten from McCollum previewing the record, he’s not wrong. On songs like “Killin’ Me” or “Big Sky,” it’s evident that McCollum is returning to his roots.
However, based on a recent interview with Billboard Magazine, he shared that this transition in sound was not easy for him.
“I got to a point where I was like, ‘I’ve got to go challenge myself again and go find that buzz again. It felt like, ‘Just what are you made of? What are these years? Is this to ride off into the sunset now, or is this to go make your best record?”
McCollum recorded the record at the legendary Power Station Studio in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan, New York. While some people don’t like the hustle and grit of New York City, McCollum shared that he was inspired by the hustle and bustle, fueling him more to revert to his stripped-back sound of the Limestone Kid. McCollum said that being in that environment made him feel like the most “confident son of a b****,” making the record he wanted to for himself. But in the same breath, it was very nerve-wracking for McCollum, worrying that changing his sound might lose him fans or worse,
McCollum worked with producers Frank Liddell and Eric Masse, and shared with Billboard that after recording all day, he’d go to his hotel and freak out, calling his dad or his longtime mentor and former manager, Randy Rodgers, questioning if this was the right choice.
“I’d freak out, like, ‘What have I done? This is career suicide.’ Then I’d go back to the studio the next day and keep recording. You’re forced to sit there and live with the album for several days in a row, so you’re on this journey of ‘All right, this is who I am.’ But I just never enjoyed making a record as much as I enjoyed this one.
Being in New York City, being focused and locked in to see what can I get out of myself musically if I really go there and get it? And Frank and Eric were willing to go there.”
But the result will be far from career suicide as fans are eagerly awaiting what the rest of the record has in store, showcasing a side of the Texas native they have not heard in years. Nothing beats authenticity and vulnerability, and although I wouldn’t argue that McCollum ever moved away from that, he’s come back stronger than ever.
A prime example of this is how “I Hope That I’m Enough” came about. McCollum said he was sitting on the couch with his wife, reflecting on how he ended up with such an inspiring woman, hoping that he could always show up for her and keep her happy in their marriage.
“She’s just as good as God can make a woman. I don’t know if I’m worthy of anything I’ve gotten to do in my career or the woman I’ve gotten to marry or any of this stuff. It’s just a very authentic feeling. I was sitting next to her, playing guitar, and this song started to just fall out. She’s an easy person to write songs about.”
Even though McCollum wore his heart on his sleeve for PARKER MCCOLLUM, fans are already wanting to know when he’ll pen a tender song for his son, Major. While McCollum shared that he’s not trying to force it, he knows that something will come to him down the line.
But moving forward with his music, McCollum is following one simple rule for every project, single, and more in the future.
“It’s got to be real and honest and right.”
June 27th is right around the corner, and I’m beyond ready to listen ot his record in full.
Parker McCollum Tracklist:
1. My Blue
2. Big Sky
3. Solid Country Gold
4. Watch Me Bleed
5. Killin’ Me
6. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (feat. Cody Johnson)
7. Sunny Days
8. Permanent Headphones
9. New York Is On Fire
10. Come On
11. What Kinda Man
12. Hope That I’m Enough
13. Enough Rope
14. My Worst Enemy
Shortly after the album’s release, McCollum will hit the road to celebrate the 14-song record. His extensive tour kicks off in Richmond, Virginia, this June and runs through October, ending in Bismarck, North Dakota. You can check out all of the tour dates below or at Vivid Seats, which gives you free tickets just for going to concerts.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Parker McCollum (@parkermccollum)
This post contains links from our Affiliate Partners program. If you use these links to make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.The post Parker McCollum Confesses He Had His Doubts While Recording His New Record: “This Is Career Suicide” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.
News Feed (Home)
Popular Posts 
Events 
Blog 
Market 
Forum 
Go LIVE!
Headline News
VidWatch
Game Zone
Top PodCasts
