JACKSON HOLE, WYO – The last time Parker Millsap was on stage in Jackson it was monumental. As direct support for Old Crow Medicine show on July 4, 2013, twenty year-old Millsap and his acoustic trio played for his largest audience, then and now. Estimated at a record twelve thousand people near and around Snow King Ballfield, the sizeable numbers made town officials nervous. He’ll return with an electric quartet on Saturday at the Pink Garter Theatre.
Now twenty-five, the small town Oklahoma artist has proved to be a songwriter that can evoke emotion, a dynamic singer capable of howling the blues or crooning a ballad, and a performer that Elton John called “one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen…it restored my faith in music.” On the heels of his fourth album, Other Arrangements, Millsap is diluting the genre waters on the twelve-song set in favor of one thing, the hook. You’ll hear crunchy, raw blues ala Jack White, singer-songwriter material reminiscent of his 2014 debut, as well as country, folk and power pop.
“When writing this record I definitely had the live show in mind,” Millsap said. “I wanted to see if I could write songs that people would dance to and were a blast to play night after night no matter what size venue we are playing. So far it’s working!”
Millsap has been nominated for two Americana Music Association awards—Emerging Artist of the Year (2014) and Album of the Year (2016). It seems he had already grown restless with the gospel-infused country and folk of his first two releases, which came by way of his Pentecostal upbringing and performing in church. And while it may appear that the anticipated arc of millennial-aged roots artists is to reinvent their sound as indie rockers or make a soul album with a horn section, Parker’s Other Arrangements is a cohesive exploration of tones and melodic ideas, and he’s clearly “allowing himself to have a good time.” Amen, bro.
In an age when consumers love Spotify and the majority of artists cringe when they hear the word, it comes somewhat as a surprise to hear that Millsap is “a big Spotify fan.” Artists tend to shun the service as Spotify’s royalty rate is notoriously low (they pay about $.004 to $.006 per stream).
“I think Spotify is working hard to support working musicians in a number of ways,” Parker said after being asked if he has any rub with Spotify’s due to the wage war against songwriters. “Their curated and personalized playlists, as well as their tour dates nearby feature, have not only introduced me to new artists I love, they have introduced fans to my music who would never have heard of me otherwise.”
A lot can be said about Parker’s optimism. Perhaps it matches the stage charisma that has been the buzz around his performances. There’s only one way to find out.
Supporting the show is Hailey, Idaho-born, Boise-based country rocker Andrew Sheppard, who self-released Steady Your Aim earlier this year.
Parker Millsap with guest Andrew Sheppard, 9 p.m. Saturday at the Pink Garter Theatre. Tickets are $20.
COMING UP:
Pink Garter Halloween Show
DJ Mark Farina + Head to Head, with guests Mr. Whipple, DoppelWolfganger & GRND CNYN
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Doors at 8PM, show at 8:30PM // $25
Learn more about Pink Garter Theatre’s Halloween show here and follow Buckrail for more info on these performers coming soon…
