Check Out Parker Smith’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Parker Smith.

Parker, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Tustin, California in 1999 and moved to Arizona in 2007 with my family. I always loved music and had an itch to play the piano and sing. I grew up singing in church and in choir. I loved the feeling that music gave me. It allowed me to feel everything in ways that human language cannot completely express. In 2019, I attended Grand Canyon University. I really struggled with my mental health and writing music allowed me to work through those emotions. Every Wednesday, I would go to my friend Steven’s house to work on music. Neither of us had any idea what we were doing but we somehow made a demo that someone from one of our favorite bands loved. We ended up going to Nashville to work with some producers and that is where it started. I currently work as an EMT in the state of Arizona and am looking to become a firefighter. I have always felt called to serve people and help. I believe it is the perfect fit. I will work on my music on my off days of my fire career and I plan on doing so for the rest of my life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have a theory that when you are doing the right thing, life will always give you lemons. When you pursue something that you were meant to do, you will notice that life throws curveballs at you frequently. I have experienced some of the hardest most difficult things in my life while pursuing my music career and my firefighting career. Whether that be mental health struggles, the ending of a great relationship, financial worries because music can get EXPENSIVE, or even just finding where I fit in and fighting imposter syndrome. My road has been everything but smooth. There is so much friction every day, but that’s the beauty. I am getting through and have gotten through every single bad day in my life.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a singer songwriter. I specialize in writing relatable lyrics that hit your heart. People around me would probably agree that is what I’m known for too. Something that I am most proud of is that I have developed some of the greatest relationships with my friends. I have a very tight knit circle that allows me to bounce around ideas, share life lessons, and it forces me to be better because my circle of friends are all creatives. I have a friend who makes art for a living, a friend that is the best visual designer and sound designer who has his own podcast, two friends in a band that are absolutely killing it, and a few friends who are incredible producers. Even a friend who can play like every instrument under the sun… it is mind boggling!! They are very talented, very driven, and very dedicated to themselves and their craft.

I am also proud of the music video that I did for my song Muted. That was one of the coolest experiences of my life. Shoutout to Flow Productions and their whole crew. If anyone wants to watch it, go to YouTube and type in “Muted music video by PRKR.” It’s an awesome video that was done so professionally. I would even consider it to be done perfectly.

What sets me apart from others is the people I have in my life. You are who you surround yourself with and I am very fortunate to say that I am surrounded by some of the most humble, caring, loving, and incredible human beings that I could ever ask for. People who have the same vision, same goals, and same interests as me.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
After Covid, I decided to drop out of college to pursue my music. I told my family and friends that I wanted to pursue my music. My parents were not the happiest about that decision because I had FREE college and how is anyone supposed to make money in the music field? How am I going to have insurance? How am I going to provide for the family that one day I will have? It was a very difficult road because I wasn’t confident in myself or my abilities and there was so much to learn.
I worked full time as a food runner and an expo at a restaurant in Scottsdale called EVO and I was spending every dollar I earned on my music. To me, it never seemed like a risk because I know that I was destined to do music. I was created to create.
Looking back now, I would not change a single thing. I would’ve dropped out of college every single time if I had the chance because music has given my life purpose and some of the greatest friends I could ever ask for. I get the opportunity to work on a project that I will do for as long as I live. It’s a virtual journal about every single thing that has happened in my life that I will look back on and cherish every memory that I made.
Risk is the door that you have no idea what’s on the other side; it’s the door that will always force you to grow and become better regardless of failing or succeeding.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prkr.music/

Image Credits
@lexi.lynn_photo @flowproductions