Lee Roy Parnell is undoubtedly one of the best slide guitarists in Country Music. After releasing a string of top-ten hits in the 1990s, the Lone Star native continues to perform with vocalist Lisa Stewart. Listen to this podcast episode to get a taste of their life, “On the Road.”
Texas Country Music Royalty
Parnell grew up in Texas, surrounded by Country Music royalty. His father was great friends with the legendary Texas Swing fiddle player and bandleader, Bob Wills. Parnell is also cousins with Americana singer/songwriter, Robert Earl Keen.
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As a teenager, Parnell began his music career as a drummer before picking up the guitar. The young musician spent a decade playing in the bars, dance halls, and honkytonks of Texas before making the move to Music City in 1987 as a songwriter. He quickly parlayed his singing ability with his tremendous slide guitar skills, which created his own identifiable sound and stretched the boundaries of Country Music.
Parnell continues to tour and tear the roof off of theatres and electrify festivals. He is passionate about his songwriting and most recently his Blackberry Smoke cut, “Good One Comin’ On,” which as featured on the hit TV series, “Yellowstone.”
A True Mississippi Queen
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I interviewed Parnell and Stewart via phone in May of this year after they were forced to cancel performances due to the coronavirus pandemic. I first saw this duo in April of 2019 when they performed at City Winery in Nashville at a benefit concert for fellow singer/songwriter, John Berry.
Parnell and Stewart, who are raising young children from previous marriages, discuss their individual musical backgrounds and how their combined love of singing and performing has brought their careers together.