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Polly Parsons (producer)

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Polly Parsons
Born1967 (age 56–57)
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Producer, Entrepreneur, Performer
Years active2003–present
Children1
Websitewww.pollyparsons.com

Polly Parsons (born 1967) is an American producer, entrepreneur, and performer. She is the daughter of singer-songwriter Gram Parsons and Nancy Ross.[1][2]

Gram Parsons Legacy

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2003 Americana Music Awards

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Parsons made her first documented appearance in 2003, accepting the President's Award on behalf of the late Gram Parsons at the Americana Music Awards ceremony in Nashville.[3]

2004: Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons

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In 2004, she directed and produced two live tribute concerts titled "Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons". Artists included: Keith Richards, James Burton, Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, Dwight Yoakam, John Doe, Steve Earle, Jim Lauderdale, Kathleen Edwards, Jay Farrar, Jim James, Raul Malo, Susan Marshall, and the Sin City All Stars. The concert produced a DVD.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

Gram Parsons Foundation

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100% of the proceeds from the tribute concerts were donated through the newly formed Gram Parsons Foundation to the Musician's Assistance Program (now MusiCares Foundation) which aids musicians in crisis.[12]

Parsons would go on to relaunch the Gram Parsons Foundation in 2012 to support musicians and artists worldwide with addiction and recovery services by hosting a launch event at SXSW March 14, 2012. The event featured performances by Brendan Benson, Eric Burdon, Blitzen Trapper, Alberta Cross, Great Lake Swimmers, Jenny O and Poor Man (Christian Wargo and Casey Wescott from Fleet Foxes).[13][14][15]

2022-2023: The Last Roundup: Live from The Bijou Café in Philadelphia

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Dave Prinz, a co-founder of Amoeba Music, was a collector of Gram Parsons archival material. During a move of the L.A. Amoeba record store, Prinz rediscovered a series of Gram Parsons “Last Roundup” tapes. With no interest to involve a bigger record company, Prinz decided to initiate a Kickstarter campaign to fund the release independently, in partnership with Polly Parsons. The campaign launched November 17, 2022, and was fully backed.[16][17][18][19][20]

Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels' "The Last Roundup: Live from The Bijou Café in Philadelphia 3/16/73" featuring Emmylou Harris was released Friday November 24, 2023 and was considered one of the record store hits of 2023.[21]

2023: Grammy Museum Panel: Celebrating Gram Parsons, Amoeba Music, and RSD Black Friday

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On November 15, 2023, the Grammy Museum hosted a panel titled Celebrating Gram Parsons, Amoeba Music, and RSD Black Friday. The commemorative panel was moderated by Variety Chief Music Critic Chris Willman, Gram Parsons' daughter Polly Parsons, and Amoeba Music Co-founder David Prinz detailing the discovery of a never-before-heard 1973 recording

The panel wrapped up with a performance from the 35-year-old West Virginia-born Sierra Ferrell, who paid homage to Parsons with renditions of “She,” “Return of the Grievous Angel” and “Streets of Baltimore.”[22][23]

Entrepreneur

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Sound As Ever

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In 2021, Polly Parsons launched a desert and community inspired goods and Gram Parsons merchandise brand called Sound As Ever with 2 partners. Self-described as "fine goods for the mindful", the products have a distinctive boho, Joshua Tree aesthetic.[24][25]

Producer

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Daddy Van Productions

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Parsons co-founded and is the former managing partner of Daddy Van Productions, producing video content design for live events and world tours. They produced tours for Bruce Springsteen, and Maroon 5 among others as well as producing with major companies like Nike and Warner Brothers.[26][27][28]

Taking the Jesus Pill

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Parsons adapted and then produced the multimedia rock opera Taking the Jesus Pill. The play ran through 2006 and produced an album.[29][30][31][32][33][34]

Take Another Little Piece of my Heart

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Polly Parsons is directing and producing the Pamela Des Barres one woman show Take Another Little Piece of my Heart. The event will take place at Whisky a Go Go, March 17, 2024.[35]

Advocacy for Artist Addiction and Recovery

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Through Gram Parsons tribute concerts, Parsons raised funds for a series of organizations that support artist and musician addiction and recovery services including Gram Parsons Foundation, Musician's Assistance Program (now MusiCares Foundation), and SIMS Foundation.[36][37][38]

Hickory Wind Ranch Sober Living Facility

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In 2009, Polly Parsons opened Hickory Wind Ranch, a sober living environment for women in entertainment and the arts who are in recovery from substance abuse. It was the first holistic sober living environment in Austin for musicians and artists. It would expand to treat men, women, and teens.[39][40]

In 2013, Parsons expanded Hickory Wind to include substance abuse treatment, with a unique 90-day treatment and extended care program customized for male residents.[41]

References

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  1. ^ Cromelin, Richard (July 8, 2004). "The hier to a parent". Los Angeles Times.
  2. ^ Boone, Brian (February 27, 2023). "The Tragic Real-Life Story of Gram Parsons". Grunge.
  3. ^ "Cash Takes Top Americana Honors". Los Angeles Times. July 8, 2004.
  4. ^ Miller, Jeff (July 1, 2004). "Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons". Variety.
  5. ^ Halperin, Shirley (August 19, 2004). "Gram Parsons Celebrated". Rolling Stone.
  6. ^ "Richards Leads Parsons Tributes". Billboard. July 11, 2004.
  7. ^ Wener, Ben (July 13, 2004). ""Gram Parsons' Daughter Polly Stages Two Tribute Concerts In His Honor."". Jampol Artist Management.
  8. ^ "Gram Parsons Tribute – Universal Amphitheatre". No Depression. September 1, 2004.
  9. ^ "Return to Sin City - A Tribute to Gram Parsons". Amazon. March 22, 2005.
  10. ^ "Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons Various Artists". AllMusic. March 22, 2005.
  11. ^ "Return To Sin City - A Tribute To Gram Parsons". Discogs.
  12. ^ "Richards Leads Parsons Tributes". Billboard. July 11, 2004.
  13. ^ Ferreiro, Laura (March 1, 2012). "Gram Parsons' daughter offers aid to ailing musicians, relaunches Foundation at SXSW". MusicforGood.
  14. ^ "Charity Events To Launch Gram Parsons Foundation". Look To The Stars. February 21, 2012.
  15. ^ Ashlock, Alex (March 14, 2012). "A Daughter Remembers Gram Parsons, 'Father Of Country Rock'". WBUR.
  16. ^ Rogers, Nate (November 20, 2023). "How a beloved L.A. record store unearthed a long-lost Gram Parsons recording". Los Angeles Times.
  17. ^ "Recently discovered Gram Parsons recordings to be released by Amoeba". Beverly Press. November 17, 2023.
  18. ^ "Unreleased Gram Parsons Live LP Will Be Available on Record Store Day Black Friday November 24". Amoeba Music.
  19. ^ "Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels - Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels - The Last Roundup: Live from the Bijou Café in Philadelphia March 16th 1973". Record Store Day.
  20. ^ Liebig, Lorie (September 23, 2023). "Hear a Stirring Unreleased Live Version of Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels' "Love Hurts" from Upcoming LP". American Songwriter.
  21. ^ Willman, Chris (November 26, 2023). "Gram Parsons Emerges From the Lost and Found: How a Great, Misplaced 1973 Concert Tape Became One of the Record Store Day Hits of 2023". Variety.
  22. ^ Willman, Chris (November 26, 2023). "Gram Parsons Emerges From the Lost and Found: How a Great, Misplaced 1973 Concert Tape Became One of the Record Store Day Hits of 2023". Variety.
  23. ^ Miller, Julius (November 17, 2023). "Tale of a Lost Tape: How a New Gram Parsons Album Came to Life 50 Years After His Death". Los Angeles Magazine.
  24. ^ "Meet Sound As Ever". Sound As Ever.
  25. ^ "Sound As Ever Fine Made Goods for the Mindful". Sound As Ever.
  26. ^ "Daddy Van Productions". Lighting & Sound America.
  27. ^ "World Tours - Daddy Van". Daddy Van Productions.
  28. ^ "Music Videos - Daddy Van". Daddy Van Productions.
  29. ^ Nichols, David (June 23, 2006). "A rock opera in "Pill" form". Los Angeles Times.
  30. ^ Miller, Jeff (December 9, 2004). "Parsons' resurrection". Los Angeles Times.
  31. ^ "Taking the Jesus Pill - Hollywood". Amoeba Music. July 25, 2006.
  32. ^ Berrent, Sloane (August 23, 2006). "Taking The Jesus Pill". LAist.
  33. ^ "Taking The Jesus Pill". Amazon. August 12, 2006.
  34. ^ "Taking The Jesus Pill". Discogs. 2006.
  35. ^ Schneider, Mitch (January 2024). "PAMELA DES BARRES Returns By Popular Demand To The Whisky A Go Go In LA 3/17".
  36. ^ "Richards Leads Parsons Tributes". Billboard. July 11, 2004.
  37. ^ Ferreiro, Laura (March 1, 2012). "Gram Parsons' daughter offers aid to ailing musicians, relaunches Foundation at SXSW". MusicforGood.
  38. ^ "Charity Events To Launch Gram Parsons Foundation". Look To The Stars. February 21, 2012.
  39. ^ Moser, Margaret (July 31, 2009). "Do Right Woman". The Austin Chronicle.
  40. ^ Willman, Chris (November 26, 2023). "Gram Parsons Emerges From the Lost and Found: How a Great, Misplaced 1973 Concert Tape Became One of the Record Store Day Hits of 2023". Variety.
  41. ^ "Highly Successful Sober Living Homes Expand to Include Addiction Treatment". PR Web. November 5, 2013.
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