Search - John Parker :: John Parker

John Parker, known as The Rockin' Bluesman, was born in Santa Cruz, California into a very colorful heritage. His grandparents were Spanish royalty from the De La Guerra family which founded Santa Barbara, his father was the NASCAR Driver of the Year for 1956 and his mother was also a race car driver. John had many tales about being strapped in the race car with his younger brother, both surrounded by pillows during the races. He started out life in the fast lane and continue to live it that way till the end - laughing and loving it all the way.

John fell into music at an early age and grew up loving the sounds of BB King, Django Reinhardt, Freddie King and Buddy Guy. He played his way across the country and he wound up in the Atlanta, Georgia music scene where he found his Blues calling and he stayed there for several years performing with many great artists including his friends Tinsley Ellis and Doug James among others.

John finally moved back to the West Coast to play what he loved about Georgia the most - the Blues. He had the opportunity to perform with Chicago Bob Nelson, Big Joe Jackson, Butch Travette & the Alley Cats, the late Piano Red, Delbert McClinton and Doug Kershaw. He also opened for The Beach Boys, Juice Newton, Coco Montoya, Bobby Bear and Eric Burdon.

Back in California, John became very involved in the Film & Television Entertainment Industry, was elected President of the Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society in 2006 and became the leader and driving force behind 3 different bands of his own - 'Forced Call', 'The Parker-Jensen Band' and finally 'The John Parker Blues Band'.

This latest 'Self Titled' CD is a strong example of West Coast Blues at it's finest. 12 expertly crafted songs about Love, Life and our Unknown Destiny will definitely keep you laughing, crying and swinging to the beat.

John has always written songs that are funny, true to life and personal...and non are more personal than the ones he wrote for this CD. It was long in the making and is about his challenges, victories, courage and fears. John's music became his medicine during his long battle with Cancer, kept him going for several years and gave him the most happiness of anything in the world. This new CD is his mark on the world and has inspired multitudes of people who know him and have heard it.

John actually put his finishing touches on his "Self Titled" CD just three days before he passed away and of course, he even did that with his own extraordinary style...he just looked up at the sky, got a huge grin on his face and was gone in a flash!!

2008 - SCV Blues Society 'Best Self Produced CD' Winner

Sept. 2008 - #41 in Roots Blues Top 50 Charts

2008 - Rock City Music Award - 'Lifetime Achievement in Blues'

2008 - 'The Price of Fame' is #1 in Broadjam's 'Top 10 Blues Rock' Charts

2008 - 'I Ain't Gonna Give Up" is #9 in Broadjam's 'Top 10 Country Blues' Charts

2008 - 2 Songs featured on 'NCIS' TV Series

2007 Rock City Music Award - 'Best Blues Band of the Year'

2007 Chicago Music Guide's 'Featured Blues Artist"