Parker McCollum Artistfacts

June 15, 1992
Parker McCollum is an American country music singer-songwriter whose music incorporates country, Americana, blues, roots rock and folk rock influences.
Parker McCollum was born and raised in Teague, Texas, a small town about 80 miles southeast of Dallas. He grew up in a musical family that exposed him to various kinds of country music and other genres. "Pat Green, Randy Rogers and James McMurtry were the kind of songwriters I was all about," he recalled to the Opry. "At a very young age, I kind of fell in love with the songs these guys put out."
McCollum's grandfather was a rancher, and Parker spent summers working on his ranch. This experience with cattle, horses, and ranch life has informed his music and lyrics, giving him a real connection to the cowboy lifestyle often celebrated in country music.
McCollum learned violin in elementary school and started playing guitar at age 13. His older brother, Tyler, who is six years his senior, is also musically inclined and encouraged him with his songwriting.

"My older brother was always writing songs, and that's really why I wanted to do it, McCollum told Cowboys & Indians. "I was always trying to impress him. So that day in my truck, I wrote a song called 'Permanent Headphones.' I played it for him and he was like, 'Dude. You're gonna be the next George Strait.' I still remember that day so well."
After graduating from high school in 2011, McCollum moved to Austin to immerse himself in the live music scene. He briefly attended Austin Community College, but after a short stint decided to pursue music full-time. McCollum realized he was "wasting time sitting in classrooms" and needed to "go out there and try to do it."
He released his first single and EP in 2013, followed by his debut album, The Limestone Kid, in 2015. McCollum gained a significant following through his independent releases and performances at Texas honky-tonks and signed with Universal Music Group in 2019. His breakout hit, "Pretty Heart," propelled him to national fame in 2020.
In 2022, McCollum won New Male Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards.
McCollum cites George Strait as his musical hero and has covered several of Strait's songs in performances.
McCollum married Hallie Ray Light in March 2022 after proposing in July 2021. She has been his muse for several of his songs, including "To Be Loved By You," "Handle On You" and "I Ain't Going Nowhere."
McCollum played sports in high school, including football, basketball, and baseball, but quit to have more time to play guitar.
A passionate hunter, McCollum's song "What Kinda Man" was born from a turkey hunting trip in Kansas. His Uvalde ranch, bordering the Nueces River, is another favorite hunting spot.

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