Parker Lee – Devils in Dixie

By starrymag | November 24, 2023

By: Kelly Kearney

 

 

Q) Fans know you as the lead singer for the famous southern rock band, Molly Hatchet, but here you are promoting your solo work. Who are some artists that influenced you when you were growing up? 

 

A) Toby Keith, especially KISS, was the main one and more so KISS I didn’t have the best upbringing as a kid. I grew up in a very toxic household; I will leave it at that. I don’t want to get too into detail. The music from KISS brought me comfort. It was my safe place. I would lock my door to my room and listen and watch DVDs for hours and would practice imitating Gene Simmons in front of a mirror. And his story is just the best and most inspirational for any kid in a tough spot.  His mom was a survivor of the Holocaust. He came here very poor, had nothing and couldn’t speak a lick of English to being one of the wealthiest men and in one of the biggest bands, if not the biggest band in the world.

 

Q) Congrats on your new solo album, Devils in Dixie coming out soon. The first single, “Catawba River.” dropped in early October and it really is the perfect introduction to you as a solo artist– for new fans, but especially for those who know you as the current frontman to the band Molly Hatchet. So, what inspired you to head out on your own and fuse together those southern rock roots with this more modern bluesy edge? 

 

A) Thank you so much! I would agree “Catawba River,” in my opinion, is a masterpiece. And I grew up on Southern Rock. To me, it’s the best music in the world. My dad introduced me to Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot and Marshall Tucker Band. He had all their CDs in his truck when I was in elementary school.

 

Q) While I was vibing to “Catawba River” for this interview I kept wondering what the connection was between a guy raised in North Carolina and now living in Florida to a river in South Carolina? Is there a story behind that and did it inspire the song? 

 

A) Well, the Catawba Ricer starts all the up in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. It works its way into South Carolina, flowing until it reaches the ocean in Charleston, SC, so it’s enormous and part of many people’s lives. My grandfather and grandmother had property on Lake Wylie, NC, also known as the “Catawba River.” I wrote the song in the spare bedroom at my house and on the land on the river.

 

Q) Like most working artists today, you stay in contact with your audience through social media and they were happy to hear about the upcoming project. Since the single, “Catawba River” dropped, have you gotten any feedback from them? 

 

A) I’ve had tons of people reach out to me. My inbox blows up from people all over the world. It’s mind-blowing how many people from other countries are digging it, and when the full album drops, I’m sure the numbers will triple in streams and numbers. People are just getting their feet wet and warmed up with me. I’m already up to almost twenty thousand monthly listeners on Spotify, and I only released “Catawba River” last month.  Those are great numbers, considering I’m new in the business, and it’s my first release.

 

Q) For those diving into Devils in Dixie, what are some themes you explore on this new album? 

 

Q) Just being from the South as a good o’l Southern boy!  Hell, I don’t know! [laughs]

 

Q) What do you hope surprises fans about the album because while your vocals are familiar this does have a more bluesy driving guitar sound to it? 

 

A) I hope what surprises everyone is just a person my age keeping good music alive that’s not as popular as it once was. If you listen to today’s popular mainstream music, it’s terrible. It’s not from the heart or soul. It’s just a bunch of garbage that glamorized being a shit person and a douchebag and having no morals whatsoever. And I see what it’s doing to today’s society, and it’s terrible. I could go on all day on this topic.

 

Q) Is there a certain song on the album that you’re hoping really resonates with fans or that holds a personal significance for you?

 

A) I hope “Prison Gate,” “Catawba River,” “Climbing Up,” “Down To Dixie” and my cover of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” do well.

 

Q) Let’s talk about your songwriting process. Where do you pull your inspiration from and does that inspiration manifest into lyrics, and themes, or does it lead you to the music first and you build on it from there? 

 

A) The writing comes from real-life experiences and honestly comes out of nowhere. I could be driving down the road or swimming somewhere, and random lyrics start popping up in my head, and the music I hear is in my head. I pick a guitar up when I get home and start singing and playing it, and just like that, I will have a new song.

 

Q) Ian Shaw, the British producer based out of Key West, Florida, comes to this project with over a hundred albums under his name. Why was he the right choice for the album and what did he bring to the studio experience that maybe another producer wouldn’t have?

 

A) I’m not going to lie; I wasn’t sure about him at first just because I’ve recorded in so many studios with guys who have no idea what they are doing there.  But Ian Shaw is a top-class professional and would recommend anyone to get him to record them.

 

Q) Outside of your work with the veteran rockers, Molly Hatchet, you’ve also been lucky enough to find a mentor in the multi-talented musician, vocalist, and longtime member of the soul group, Chairman of the Board, Ken Knox. Ken has been singing on stage with that group since 1973, so when it comes to performing, you cannot ask for a more knowledgeable teacher. How has this mentorship helped you grow as a performer?

 

A) Ken taught me about how to be a good person, how to treat people and fans and how to be just a humble person with no ego at all.  I remember one time before one of their shows, I was hanging out with Ken Knox before they had sound check and before any of their fans showed up in the city of Gastonia, NC, and a homeless crackhead walked up to us begging for money. Instead of telling him to screw off, Ken pulled his wallet out and gave the guy a twenty-dollar bill.

 

Q) Ken is a big supporter of yours; what was his reaction to this solo album when he heard it?

 

A) I’m not too sure. I haven’t seen him in a long time just because he is always on the road, and I am. But I am sure he is proud. Ken is just that kinda of person. He has one of the biggest hearts out there.

 

 

Q) Collaborating with legends can expand your artistic talents but it can also give you the skills to maneuver around the highs and lows of the business. What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten from someone you’ve worked with? Maybe something that might help other musicians trying to find their big break?

 

A) The famous words from my friend Bayou Butch who played bass for Al Green and Aretha Franklin, “Ain’t nothing in this world that you want will be given to you. If you want something bad enough, it’s up to you whether you get it or not. And if you don’t, you can’t blame anyone but yourself.” If that doesn’t wake you up and make you work extremely hard no matter what anyone in your family or friends say – nothing will! For anybody out there who wants to make it in this business, my advice for you is you better develop skin as thick as a rhino. Keep your head up no matter what anyone tells you. You must be willing to put yourself in the most challenging situations and take those risks you only live once. The weak ones give up. Grow your third ball; don’t be weak; be a fighter.

 

Q) Speaking of collaborations, what musician(s) would you love to work with in the future?

 

A) I’m not too sure. Everyone I like is old and on farewell tours or not able to do it anymore like they used to, sadly. I don’t care what anyone says. Rock music is hurting right now. It’s kind of like underground now.

 

Q) What would you like to say to the people who support you and enjoy your music?

 

A) Thank you so much for supporting me. I hope my music can inspire some of you who are struggling now. Just keep pushing and never give up on life or yourself. We all have challenging obstacles in life. I love you. Let’s stand together so you aren’t alone. You will always have a friend in me.