Parrish-Hundley Band: Press

Mike Parrish TEXAS IN THE MAN ©2007 Hangin’ Boot Records Review by Lucky Boyd Over the years, I’ve met about 200 cops.  At least 150 of them have told me they could sing and write songs.  Only about ten of them really could do it well.  Mike Parrish is one of those ten.  Actually, if I disqualify any of my relatives who are in law enforcement, it would be easy to say that Parrish is one of the best I’ve heard.  Now, erase the knowledge that he could arrest you if you don’t buy his CD and let’s get down to the music.  From the opening rockabilly cut, you’re going to be in the mood for Parrish’s brand of in-your-face country music.  This cut, influenced by the Tractors or Kentucky Headhunters-styled tunes, sets a wonderful upbeat tone for the album.  Undoubtedly a crowd favorite at shows, “Blue Jean Baby” still rocks as a studio cut.  The Raul Malo influence is evident on several cuts including “Sunny Day,” the albums second cut.  “Color Me Gone” says it all for those who are ready to take a new direction in life after one of those terrible disappointing relationships.  This would make a good break-up song.  The first three tracks are written by Parrish as are nine more of this fifteen-cut disc.  Parrish co-writes with Sammy Hundley, who also performs on the album, on three tracks including the title cut, on which Hundley also performs vocally.  The writing is solid, a little cliché in spots, but well-done for this style of music.  Country music listeners aren’t interested in being shocked by lyrics.  They would rather have something they can relate to.  This album has songs that can relate to any listener.  The performances and instrumentation are tasteful and devoid of slick tricks and over-production making it a very easy listen throughout.  “Ain’t We Got It Good” tackles the subject of freedom-for-a-price and pays tribute to military service personnel who have died for their country.  Much of the album has a modern version of traditional country offerings with excellent vocal work, but returns to rock on the title cut.  A well-written rock country song, “Texas In The Man” is an anthem which finds both Parrish and Hundley on lead vocals and the band takes a small opportunity to pay tribute to ZZ Top in the middle of the tune.  That shouldn’t be a surprise, since Parrish and Hundley turn in a Hill/Gibbons-worthy performance on the track.  “Texas When I Die (part II)” had me listening for a Tanya Tucker cover, but instead, a well-written song about the famed ditty made famous by Tucker.  Jimmy Buffett is a musical island, and though it’s odd that his first (and only) number one song was a duet with a country singer, he has influenced quite a few new writings.  Parrish pays tribute to the Buffett experience (and in a way Don Williams, too) with “Buffett Time” as he’s ‘livin’ on Buffett time.” Parrish writes as well as Haggard on “I Can’t Tell You Goodbye,” and Hundley turns in his best guitar solo on this track.  After hearing ten cuts of this disc, I’ve discovered a pattern with Parrish.  He never forgets anything he’s ever heard.  His writing has phrases we all know, melody lines that hint at our favorite songs for just a measure or two, and instrumentation that makes us comfortable with familiarity.  During all this, Parrish has developed his own sound.  You won’t find a reviewer saying Parrish ‘sounds like’ anyone else, because he doesn’t.  His distinctive style is refreshing and familiar, all the while introducing you to country music in a brand new way.  Everything about the production of this disc is better than good, but there’s no telling what an award-winning producer like Billy High could do with this band if given the chance.  The talent is there, no doubt, both in the writing and performance.  The term ‘constable’ is derived from the days of old when there was a person in charge of making sure no one stole the horses from the town stable.  Back then, horses were quite possibly a man’s most prized possession, and so ‘constable’ became a highly respected position.  These days Constables have a different role in law enforcement, but anyone who knows about them can tell you that when approached with respect and integrity, the job can be one of the most rewarding in the industry.  Take time to seek out Constable Parrish’s biography and see what brought him to the place where this album was born.  Not only is the music outstanding, Parrish has garnered a great deal of respect from this reviewer during this process starting with his service to our country in the armed forces.  The album’s last cut will bring you to a different place emotionally.  A tribute to fallen family members and other heroes, “Angel Fly” will touch your heart when you learn that the inspiration for this song began with the tragic loss of Parrish’s teenage son in 1999.  This reviewer hears thousands of songs annually, but few incite a desire to meet the writer in person as does this track.  To Mike, keep up the good work, and I hope our paths cross soon.  To music fans, this is your next purchase.

 

LIBERTY, August 24, 2008 - How does someone with a background in law enforcement embark on a successful musical career? Well, if you want to know then you need to take a look at former Constable Mike Parrish who’s group Parrish Hundley is topping the Country and Western Music charts all over Europe.

Mike worked in law enforcement for years in Hardin County and Liberty County. He was once the Police Chief in Daisetta and was elected Constable severing the people of Raywood, Hull, Devers and Daisetta.

Mike’s song, “Going Back to Texas was number 22 on the National Top 40 Charts in Great Britain. “Texas in the Man,” was number 13 in Switzerland.

His most popular songs in Europe are, “Blue Jean Baby,” “Texas in and Man,” and “Goin' Back to Texas.”

Thus far, European National Top 40 Chart successes for songs from Mike Parrish's "Texas in the Man" album looks like this;

11/26/2007
National Top 40 Charts of Spain - "Blue Jean Baby" #33

12/13/2007
National Top 40 Charts of Switzerland - "Blue Jean Baby" #5

02/08/2008
National Top 40 Charts of Norway - "Goin' Back to Texas" #30

02/08/2008
National Top 40 Charts of Norway - "Sunny Day" #35

06/20/2008
National Top 40 Charts of Italy - "Goin' Back to Texas" #6

07/03/2008
National Top 40 Charts of Switzerland - "Goin' Back to Texas" #6

07/03/2008
National Top 40 Charts of The Netherlands - "Goin' Back to Texas" #27

07/18/2008
National Top 40 Charts of Belgium - "Goin' Back to Texas" #27

07/18/2008
National Top 40 Charts of Switzerland - "Goin' Back to Texas" #6

07/18/2008
National Top 40 Charts of the United Kingdom - "Goin' Back to Texas" #22

07/31/2008
National Top 40 Charts of Switzerland - "Texas in the Man" #13

08/11/2008
National Top 40 Charts of Switzerland - "Texas in the Man" #20

The album, "Texas in the Man" was released 11 months prior to the latest European Chartings but in the last 10 months 4 tracks have seen National Top 40 Charts success, in 7 different countries, 12 times.

Take a look at the website for this popular musical group at http://www.mikeparrish.us/home.html

"Mike and the guys are incredibly talented...their songs remind me of why I fell in love with country music in the first place."

Parrish-Hundley!!!
This band is so freakin' AWESOME!!! DISH just loves them! They are so amazing live, you just HAVE to hear them!

Click HERE to check out their website and their calendar so you can go see them too! They have charted in 7 European countries this year and are about to embark upon the tour to support that success...they ALSO are going to do a reality show about their "European Vacation"!! HAHAHA

They are fun and good and nice and you should hire them and support them! It's the closest you will get to a grammy winner in a while...well a future one at least!

BTW...ladies...Mike's dimples are adorable!!!

Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 02:40PM by SisterFreese in Music

Deep in the heart of Texas, lives a man who fiercely loves his Country and is thankful for the gift of freedom that has been given to us, through sacrifices made by the men and women serving in our Nation’s armed forces. It is an honor for me to be able to introduce our readers to our latest Tunes For The Troops featured artist, Mike Parrish. I had the distinct pleasure of being able to speak with Mike last night on the phone, about his great song that is dedicated to the troops, “Ain’t We Got It Good.” His song has a message that not only we need to hear but our troops need to hear as well, written from the perspective of a person sitting and watching the fireworks on the 4th of July and thinking about the reasons that we have the freedoms to do so. It makes you think about how lucky we are to live here in the United States and have the liberty to do and say what we want, go where we want and do what we want… all because brave men and women have fought, bled and died to allow us that liberty.

Here are the lyrics to “Ain’t We Got It Good.”

“AIN’T WE GOT IT GOOD”

Verse I
It’s another Fourth of July
Fireworks dancing in the sky
Red white and blue
Me and You
Evening slips into the night
Ain’t we got it good
Ain’t we got it great
Livin’ here in the USA
Let’s don’t forget

Chorus I
All of the faces and the places where they fought and died
Brave young soldiers who gave their all for you and I
Daddy’s girls and momma’s boys who will never come back home
Their names we will remember but they’re forever gone
They died out in the desert in the air on land and sea
They died so we could keep this great country free
They died for you and me

Verse II
Any true American knows
Freedom isn’t really free
Living or lost, they paid the cost
Buying precious liberty
Ain’t we got it good
Ain’t we got it great
We salute America’s best
Hear me when I say

Chorus II
Remember the faces and the places where they fought and died
Brave young soldiers who gave their all for you and I
Daddy’s girls and momma’s boys who will never come back home
Their names we will remember but they’re forever gone
They died out in the desert in the air on land and sea
They died so we could keep this great country free

Tag
It’s another Fourth of July
Fireworks dancing in the sky

“AIN’T WE GOT IT GOOD” is not a political statement but a tribute to our troops. ALL OF OUR TROOPS whether active, inactive, retired or deceased should never be forgotten for the selfless sacrifices they’ve made to secure our county’s freedom. Any true American knows freedom isn’t really free. Living or lost, they paid the cost buying precious liberty. Written by: Mike Parrish & Sammy Hundley - Lead Vocals: Mike Parrish - Background Vocals: Sammy Hundley

I spent some time on Mike’s MySpace page, listening to various songs that he has posted there and was quite impressed. Every single song I listened to had a message for the listener. His journey through life has taken him on down several paths, from US Soldier, to Police Officer to his one true love Music. Joining Mike in his songs is his close friend and guitarist Sammy Hundley and drummer Alan Dossett. Together they’ve created a sound that’s a little bit Country and a little bit Southern Rock, a sound that is pleasing to the listener and a sound that I think everyone will like. Mike’s album will be released soon, with a target date of May 29th. Mike was kind enough to email a fantastic story to me, so I’ll let him do the talking now.

My grandfathers, most all of my great uncles, my father and a couple of his
brothers, my cousins, my nephew and I have all served in one branch of the United States military or other. I served in an Air Defense Artillery unit at Fort Bragg, N.C. I was lucky because I served when our nation was at peace and I saw no combat whatsoever. After leaving the service in 1986, I worked in construction and the oilfield related services until 1992 when I joined the East Texas Police Academy through Kilgore College.

I have been a police officer since that time having served several law enforcement agencies within southeast Texas. I began my career in Hardin County as a patrolman with the Sour Lake Police Department. I was later employed by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff and then moved to the county seat where I worked for the Kountze Police Department moving up the ranks. I was promoted to Chief of Police of the Kountze Police Department in 1997. In 1999 I took an investigators position with the Hardin County District Attorney’s Office then took the helm of a small agency in Liberty County, appointed as Chief of Police for the Daisetta Police Department. I was appointed to the position of Liberty County Pct #2 Constable in May of 2006, ran for election in November and won that position by 84% of the vote.

While I thoroughly enjoy serving the public, I’m afraid my first love has always been music. As a young man I wrote many many songs, songs which I still have some thirty-five years later after having written my very first song at 9-years-old. So much can be said in a song that seems to take much longer if related in a speech and even then the meaning may not be quite clear. My father, a Korean War veteran, bought my first guitar for me on my sixth birthday. I’ve loved music since.

I have a very deep loyalty to my country. I love America and consider it undoubtedly the greatest nation on earth. Here, we say what we think, we do what we want, we go where we please and we also take those precious freedoms for granted quite often. It’s difficult to imagine a world where dictators, communists or terrorists decide your life for you and thankfully, as an American, I’ve never had to endure those experiences. But I know why I’ve never had to endure hardships of that magnitude, I’ve never lived with tyranny because the American people won’t stand for it. Not here, not ever. I salute all soldiers, sailors, airmen, and other military personnel for taking care of America and ensuring that the freedom I have today will still be here for my children, my grandchildren and their grandchildren. I take great pride in knowing that America is a strong and mighty nation and I’m even more proud of those who serve our country ensuring its stability, allowing us to sleep well at night with full stomachs and no worries.

“Ain’t We Got It Good” was written approximately ten months ago, in July 2006. I wrote the lyrics and some of the music but I just couldn’t seem to find a melody that I was completely happy with. This song had to be right and, after working with it for a few weeks, I decided to set it aside until the right melody came to me. In the meantime, I was contacted through my MySpace site by a soldier’s wife who is based in Fort Hood, Texas. She told me the story of a young sergeant who was killed in action and his body had been returned to Fort Hood, to his wife and to his daughter. I saw the widows MySpace page and there was a slide show consisting of photographs taken from the time her husband was returned to her through the burial and ceremonies. I was so touched by the fact that my song “Angel Fly” was sung at the funeral and I know that if I’d been aware of this tragedy I’d have traveled there to sing it for them myself. The sorrow in that young family’s eyes was more than enough to get the ball rolling on “Ain’t We Got It Good” again.

My manager and lead guitar player, also lifelong friend, Sammy Hundley sat down with me one evening and I tossed a few ideas at him as to where I thought this tune was going. Sammy wholeheartedly agreed and it was Sammy who ultimately came up with the melody for “Ain’t We Got It Good.” I love this song through and through because it says so very much in such a very short time. Many of us take Independence Day celebrations for granted. It’s a day off, a paid holiday, a day at the beach or a ball game AND we’re guaranteed that it’ll come around once every year. But it’s not a paid holiday for everybody, in fact, hundreds of thousands of American military personnel bought that celebrated day off by paying the ultimate price, the supreme sacrifice to maintain freedom beginning in 1776 but it’s never ceased.

America’s freedom will only be guaranteed as long as we have brave young men and women who are willing to meet the challenges in defeating those who would wish to take our freedom away. “Ain’t We Got It Good” is for every person who ever served in any branch of the United States military. It’s for the World War I and World War II soldiers and sailors. It’s for the Korean War and Viet Nam War Veterans. It’s for the Americans fighting the War in Iraq and for every person who ever served in any war, conflict, police action or other military mission throughout American history. It’s my way of saying I appreciate all of them for giving me this wonderful gift of freedom, for allowing me to share it with my children and grandchildren. It’s been often stated that no greater love can be shown than he/she who would lay down his/her own life for the life of another. I know what Independence Day is about and I know, without any doubt, that I am a very blessed man. In my opinion, Independence Day, Memorial Day & Veteran’s Day should all be observed with the same reverence expected of Sunday mornings in God’s house because such a deep debt of respect and gratitude is to be paid to those who’ve protected us and to those who protect us today. Such a huge debt of gratitude should be shown to the surviving family members who bear the burden of loss which secured our freedom.

It is my fervent prayer that all those military personnel (active, inactive, & retired) and the surviving families of those soldiers who were taken from us who are able to have an opportunity to hear “Ain’t We Got It Good, it is my hope that they know in their heart of hearts that these words are very very true and it’s the very best way I know to say thank you for giving my family and I this great life we have.

This issue also spotlights one of our local law enforcement officials, but in a far different - and lighter - manner.

Precinct 2 Constable Mike Parrish, who formerly served as Chief of the Daisetta Police Department, has a commendable history in law enforcement, but he also has a successful sideline interest. Parrish is an award-winning internationally known performer and writer of Country Western Songs, whose music enjoys a high level of popularity in Europe and Australia. Read his story beginning on page 4, then go online to www.mikeparrishtexas.com and enjoy his music.

Locals know Constable Mike Parrish best as a law enforcement officer, but fans in Europe and across the world know the Liberty County resident as a rising star in the music industry who is about to release his first album.

"It is something we do on our off time," Parrish said about the musical career. "But we have had pretty good success."

Born in Jacinto City, Texas to MC and Mary Parrish, Mike grew up with three passions - Texas, law enforcement and music. Since his father was in the oil field construction business, work took the family to towns like Hull, Lufkin, Woodville, Giddings and Lafayette, Louisiana, where Mike eventually finished high school.

He got his first guitar on his sixth birthday and had another by the time he turned 8 years old. A year later, he wrote his first three-chord song, a little ditty he titled "If I Had a Dollar."

"I'm still wishing I had a dollar," said Parrish, who is under paid like all those who wear the badge to protect and serve.

His passion for music was further nurtured through school band, for which he played trumpet (*Note: And I played football too!), and in church.

"Mom made sure me and my two sisters sang in church every Sunday," he said.

During his formative years while living in Hull, Mike made friends with another musician, Sammy Hundley, who is a key member of Mike's band today.

"We grew up a country block from each other," Hundley said.

A few weeks ago, Sammy ran across an old notebook full of songs he wrote as a young boy, and it included a few the two wrote together years ago. Even at that early age, the duo appeared destined to share the music stage with one another as they received early influences from groups like Marshall Tucker Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Eagles.

However, the young Texan had another passion during those times, law enforcement. As Mike puts it, there were three things to watch in Hull back then - pumpjacks, railroad tracks and police cars.

"I watched Bobby Rader in that highway patrol car and knew that is what I wanted to do," Mike said about law enforcement work and Rader, who worked as a Trooper for the Department of Public Safety back then but who is a well-known insurance agent and Justice of the Peace in Liberty County today. "I always looked up to and respected law enforcement officers."

After completing high school, Mike approached the Sheriff of Tyler County about entering his ranks, and the elected official suggested he get some military experience and come back and see him then. So after three years in the Army, Parrish returned to find a new Sheriff had been elected. Nevertheless, the department did sponsor Mike in the East Texas Police Academy.

Upon completion of the course and attainment of his peace officer's certification, the young man went to work for the Sour Lake Police Department. After a six-month stint, Mike was hired by the Kountze Police Department, where he served for six years including about three years as Chief of Police. Mike later worked as an investigator for the Hardin County District Attorney's Office but he soon moved to Daisetta, where he was named Chief of Police in 2001.

At the time of his arrival, the town had been without a police department for nearly two years, and Mike was given the task of starting from the ground up. By the end of year two, the city had grants for five officers, and Mike and his staff got busy cleaning up the town.

"We had great success fighting drugs," said Mike, adding that once the drug users were in jail or run out of town, the burglary rate took care of itself." In fact during his first year in town, there were about 30 burglaries reported. By the last year Mike was there, that number had dropped down to two. Believe it or not, Mike said he even busted a methamphetamine lab about 50 yards from the police department's front door.

While serving in Daisetta, Parrish said he took pride in starting the department from ground zero, targeting the city's drug problem and beginning a junior police academy. On the flip side of the coin, Mike said an officer-involved shooting within his department and being run over by a suspect driving a dually truck were two low points.

That driver - Matthew Whitmire - while awaiting trial in Liberty County Jail tried to hire a hitman to target a local DPS Trooper who initiated the chase and witnessed the incident. Whitmire is now serving a lengthy prison sentence for his actions.

When Constable Pct #2 Jimmy Belt resigned his post to accept another law enforcement position, Liberty County Commissioner's Court appointed Parrish to fill the vacant position, and area voters followed up by electing Mike to the post in November (2006).

With a small staff of two, the Constable's Office stays busy serving civil papers for the precinct and enforcing the county's License & Weights Program countywide. While that position keeps him busy, Parrish has found both the time and a way to fulfill his other two passions by writing and singing songs about Texas under the moniker Mike Parrish & SixGun. The group is set to release its first album - Texas in the Man - in late August.

However, all 15 cuts have been on-line for several months, and the music is getting rave reviews from around the world. According to Parrish, the music has been a part of several on-line reality show competitions and it has won a number of awards in the contests.

"It's all about fun," said Mike, adding that his songs "Texas in the Man" and "Blue Jean Baby" are number one and two among listeners voting in the International Fame Games Radio Contest in Europe. Furthermore, there are more than 10,000 fans who are part of Mike's "MySpace" fan page on the internet.

With early thumbs up from listeners across the world, Mike and Sammy are hoping to develop a loyal following locally as well.

When asked how they chose the band's name, Mike said his wife, Tonya, came up with it. Pointing to Mike and citing why, Sammy said, "There needs to be a focal point, and he is the one who wears the hat."

As to why the two picked to self-publish the album and place the songs on the internet first, Mike said, "We don't want to lose control of the overall art of our music, and you can put your music out there for every one."

Addressing music on the internet, Sammy added, "It is a cottage industry, and it is blowing up right now."

While most of the songs are about Texas, one of the album's pieces is a military tribute, which might have been nixed by a publishing house not wanting to make waves on an introductory album.

Reflecting on his music's lyrics, Mike said, "It's not about the money. It's about conviction, and we just really wanted to say what we wanted to say."

Adding the final word and summing up his latest endeavor, Mike said, "I would rather be sitting in a rocking chair saying I tried rather than what if."

For those who want to learn more, hear a tune or two, or order the band's music, log on to www.mikeparrishtexas.com