John Parker

John Parker, known as "The Rockin' Bluesman", was raised in the Santa Cruz, California area and started playing at age 14. He grew up loving the sounds of BB King, Django Reinhardt, Freddie King and Buddy Guy. Several bands later, he would up in the Atlanta, Georgia music scene where he found the Blues calling.

A few years later, he returned home to California to pursue what he loved about Georgia the most - the Blues. John has performed with Chicago Bob Nelson, Big Joe Jackson, Butch Travette & the Alley Cats, the late Piano Red, Tinsley Ellis, Delbert McClinton, Doug Kershaw and more. He's opened for The Beach Boys, Juice Newton, Coco Montoya, Bobby Bear, Eric Burdon and many others.

Beside playing continuously with his 3 bands, John is well known for his extensive work with various charities, especially The American Cancer Society. He was chosen an ASC Legislative Ambassador and has worked very closely with the Organization and our government. In 2006, he attended the "Celebration on the Hill" in Washington, DC and spoke before Congress in an effort to increase Cancer Research Funding. He was a 5 year Cancer Survivor himself and his disease required him to have a Liver Transplant which led him to becoming an advocate to teach the public about Organ Donor Awareness.

He also served as the Entertainment Chairman for the Santa Clarita Valley Relay For Life for the last 3 years, which is one of the largest in California and he also performed at and provided bands for several other Relays in the state each year and has helped raise more than $4,000,000 for research funding.

In 2006, John became the President of the Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society and kept involved in just about "everything Blues" in the Los Angeles area. He always had very high ideals for the music style and has been a major participant in the planning for some upcoming festivals in the Santa Clarita Valley and other locations around the greater Los Angeles area. He was also very involved in implementing a new "Blues In The Schools" program in conjunction with The Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society for the area.

John has always written songs that are funny, true to life and personal –- and none are more personal than the ones he wrote for his new album "Self Titled".

He crafted them over the course of three anxious years after his Liver Transplant when the Liver Cancer spread into his lungs and then later to his heart. Hoping for a miracle but feeling that the end was just around the corner, he became more determined than ever to leave something memorable behind - his mark on the world. John's songs just kept coming and his determination and music has inspired multitudes of people who know him and have heard his music.

"He was unrelenting," his wife, Lynn says. "He would stay up all night working on a tune and he'd even wake me up to come down and listen. It seemed as though these songs were demanding to be written.. and he wouldn't even think of giving up until this CD was finished. When he would take a break from writing lyrics, he would switch over to working on songs for a new Instrumental CD that he was planning next. It was a great feeling knowing he had found his medicine in his music and that's what kept him going for so many years and gave him the most happiness. He actually put his finishing touches on his "Self Titled" CD just three days before he passed away and 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!!"

John's New "Self Titled" CD:

John Parker - Lead Guitar & Vocals
Jeff Jensen - Rhythm Guitar
Bill Ruffino - Bass & Backing Vocals
Steve Halter - Keyboards, Piano, Organ
Chris Collier - Drums & Backing Vocals

Guests Artists appearing on John's "Self Titled" CD:

Kyle Culkin - Guitar & Backing Vocals
Nate LaPointe - Slide Guitar & Pedal Steel
Ralf Mueggler - Drums
Sista Sherry Pruitt - Backing Vocals

John recently received the 2007 Rock City Music Award for "Best Blues Band of the Year".

John was also chosen as Chicago Music Guide's "Featured Artist for 2007".

His song "When I Reach My Destination" from his "Off The Clock" album was recently featured on an episode of the CBS series "N.C.I.S."

CD & Performance Reviews:

SOUTHLAND BLUES MAGAZINE
Jim Santella

As President of the Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society, John Parker stayed involved in Southern California's Blues from the inside. As a Bandleader and Bluesman performing for decades alongside like-minded artists, John found his groove and always found a way to express what he was feeling with clarity. His voice is full of life, grit and meaningful lyrics on this "Self Titled" CD that was finished just three days before Parker passed away. He died on March 30th, after a five year battle with liver cancer.

The courage that he displayed in life shows up in each of the 12 album selections as the Singer/Guitarist w