By Sawyer Matz
Greeley, Colorado may be most known for its dairy and agriculture production, but what about its Nashville-bound musicians? Meet Parker Gentry, the recent high school graduate from Greeley, who is already gaining recognition at the ripe age of 18.
Parker started gaining traction on social media sites TikTok and Instagram after posting his acoustic song covers, which quickly grew his online audience to tens of thousands of total followers. The viral success has quickly opened doors to the industry. “It’s been a crazy journey that has brought opportunities I never imagined for a kid from Greeley,” shares Parker. “Through social media, I’ve had the chance to sign with my new manager, Dylan Bourne, and his management team, and I have started taking trips to Nashville to work with other songwriters and producers.”
In the blizzard of attention-grabbing videos on these platforms, Parker’s are a beacon of authenticity. Instead of using eye-grabbing text or slick editing, most of his videos feature the simple setup of him and his guitar. “My friends and family motivated me to start posting on social media, and seeing artists I looked up to post also helped a lot,” Parker says. “I decided to give it a shot, and the positive response I received kept me going.”
Parker first built buzz online covering modern country tunes, performing songs ranging from Bill Withers’s “Ain’t No Sunshine” and Zach Bryan’s “28.” Recently he has been sharing more clips of his original music, teasing material he’s working on with Nashville collaborators as possible future releases. No matter what song he’s playing or who he’s playing with, his distinct baritone voice stands out. His videos strip away distractions, showcasing raw talent and unadulterated passion.
When asked if music was always his dream, Parker answers “It wasn’t until my first show. Back around August 2023, I played a small music festival just outside my hometown and I was nervous as hell before getting on stage, but the moment I stepped up there I fell in love with it. I aspire to write music that has the same impact on others as it has had on me, and I hope to perform as many shows as I can to connect with people through my music.”
Parker’s roots in Greeley inspire his sound and style. “Greeley has shaped me in countless ways; my roots run deep in its soil,” Parker says. “With a country western heartbeat from the dairy farmers, ranchers, farmers, and oil workers, it really inspires my songwriting. My family, friends, and the stories I write about have all come from here.”
Parker’s new Nashville team has already started helping him make connections, and he’s planning a move in the near future. “Nashville is full of so many incredible people and I’ve had the privilege of working with so many talented songwriters,” Parker says. “It’s truly humbling and makes me even more grateful for the opportunities I have in front of me with my music.” Parker has the goal to release his first singles and an EP this year, and hopes to eventually hit the road and tour. He says “I’m beyond excited to share my music with you all, and I hope you’re as excited as I am for what’s coming!”
All photos by Erik Branom for Bandwagon Magazine
