Greg Parker
On The Break EP
Self-Released

In the world of music, New York gave birth to Punk, Chicago developed Garage, Motown was named for Detroit. But none of these fine cities are ever as arrogant about their music as Nashville is about its - Country. And while most of it is fodder for a different kind of herd, Nashville artists like Greg Parker make me wish I knew more about country music - a helluva lot more.

Parker's basic musical style (good ol' fashioned honky tonk) and his home state (Tennessee, for those of you who ain't so good at that there reading comprehension) aren't the only things he shares with Mr. Elvis Presley. Apparently, his stunning baritone is paired up with either unfailing charisma or an endearing sense of humor, because according to his press kit, he garners quite a bit of attention from the young ladies. With three out of five songs named for women, and throngs of them regularly attending his gigs, it should be quite obvious he possesses both, God bless him.

Because Parker's swagger (not the drunken kind) on his debut EP, On The Break, is so utterly convincing, I had to check to make sure he wrote all those gosh darn songs all by his lonesome. And, in fact, he did. Well, except for the outstandingly brash "Get In Line Caroline", which he co- authored with his cohort Adam Hill. And though the influence of Roger Miller and Hank Williams is crystal clear on songs like "Molly Dear", what ultimately sets Parker apart is the sense of ownership he exudes over his music. These aren't just conventional, rehashed country hits. Rather, Parker takes what made Music City USA so great back in the day and modernizes it in a fully meaningful way.

Now, go on, git out of here, and git yourself some Parker-style integrity.

A. Koledin