Parker Brown

As a professional studio musician and guitar/bass teacher it’s no surprise that each song is meticulously constructed and the playing is nothing short of perfect; but Brown’s songwriting is quite remarkable; he can tell a story in a way I’ve not heard a lot of since those heady days of the Brill Building. - The Rocking Magpie

Billings bassist/guitarist Parker Brown,
an accomplished songwriter, instructor, and
studio musician, has crafted a basketful of
songs on his debut album that complement his
honed baritone voice. And in testament to his
songcraft, they avoid repetition in style and
substance...Brown’s melodies offer a simple structure, clean and lovely. There’s a
lot to consume here, so get those ears ready. - Montana Arts Council (Mariss McTucker)

Brown was born in Billings, moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in second grade and moved back to Billings when he was 20. One of his early projects was the popular Tyler Burnett Band, based on his middle name and that of band mate Steve Brown, whose father is also named Bob Brown, who was a good friend and band mate of Parker’s father.

Blakeslee said that what sets Parker Brown apart is his “masterful ability to be in the moment as a musician.” He’s always listening to and interacting with what the other musicians are playing, Blakeslee said, “always bringing fresh and unique beauty to what’s happening in the room.”

He has also worked hard to make his living solely as a musician, performing live, playing in the studio, giving bass and guitar lessons and even accompanying Billings poet Dave Caserio, who has toured the state with Brown through the Montana Humanities program. - Last Best News

Two months ago, Billings musician Parker Brown and drummer Keller Paulson played a late-night jam session at Brown’s downtown studio.

It kind of shocked Paulson because it felt so natural, and it inspired Brown to pursue his songwriting with new passion and to search for more opportunities to perform original music. It also prompted Brown to record 10 to 13 original tracks, some of which he has been working on for almost a decade. Plans are to release the new album in April, featuring The Parker Brown Band, which includes Paulson on drums and Erik Olson on keyboard.

The Parker Brown Band will make its public debut on Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Garage Pub. Solo artist Grant Jones opens at 5:45 p.m. with a 30-minute set.

Brown said the fun part of this new project is that it is evolving. The studio version of the music is stricter but the live version will showcase the improvisation of all three musicians.

“I am not looking to be a power trio, but something that has the aesthetic of the jazz organ trio but with the potential to sound like a traditional folk quartet,” Brown said.

Brown has been writing songs for years, often starting with a phrase from his journal and then pairing it with a guitar riff. If the line doesn’t pair well with the music, he’ll change it to hit that sound that crosses musical boundaries.

“It’s folk, Americana, and blues,” Brown said.

At 23, Paulson is the youngster in the group. Olson is 26 and Brown is 32. So Brown’s role is changing with this new project as he becomes more of a mentor and band leader.

Brown arrived on the scene in Billings a decade ago as a rock guitarist, co-founding one of the best bands to ever come out of Billings — The Tyler Burnett Band — with long-time friend Steve Brown. The two Browns are not related but their fathers, whose names are both Bob Brown, were friends and musicians on the Billings music scene in the late 1970s and ‘80s.

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Steve Brown has since become the lead singer for the Bozeman rock band, Cure for the Common. Parker Brown stayed in Billings where he earned his music degree in bass performance at Rocky Mountain College and got married and became a father.

While studying music at Montana State University Billings, Brown returned to the bass.

The MSU Billings band needed a bass player so his instructor, J.R. Robertson, pulled an old stand-up bass out of the closet, fixed it up and handed it over to Brown who began playing with the late Ronnie Bedford. Even though Brown and Bedford were 50 years apart, they connected on such a deep level, the joy of performing together showed on their faces.

Brown spends his days teaching Billings youths how to play bass at a studio he shares with Alex Nauman and performs with a variety of Billings musicians in jazz groups, including the new gypsy jazz project, Rimrock Hot Club, that debuted recently at Walker’s Grill. He also debuted some of the songs off the upcoming album at a show at Wild Ginger.

“That gig Parker did at Wild Ginger got so many people coming up and asking, ‘Why doesn’t he do this all the time?’ ” Paulson said.

Olson said this new orginal music is dynamic and artsy.

“It’s refreshing to do originals,” Olson said. “There is a lot more emotion going on here.”

If this gig goes well, Brown hopes to take the new band out on tour this spring. Billings, you’re the test market. Make sure to let Brown know how this new project rates. - Billings Gazette