Patty Parker is an American singer, drummer, producer, and co-owner of independent record label, Comstock Records. In the mid-1970s she and her future husband, Frank Fara (Fafara) toured the Nevada casino circuit in their traveling Country music show, The Frank Fara Show featuring Patty Parker. Parker sang background vocals and was one of the only female drummers touring. In 1978, Parker and Fara launched Comstock Records and experienced immediate success with their first artist, Alex Fraser, whose single peaked at #9 on the Canadian Country music charts. Parker was one of the first full-time female music producers in Nashville[1] and her success caught the attention of Billboard, Cashbox, Music Row Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and many local newspapers across Canada and the United States.

Early life

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Patty Parker grew up Shawnee, Kansas, just outside of Kansas City, Missouri. Patty's father, Will Yeats, was the music director of a Baptist church and Patty grew up singing harmonies in her church choir. In college she earned her bachelor's degree in music education from John Brown University and toured the U.S. with the school's vocal gospel ensemble, the Harmonaires. After college, Parker worked as a music teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District and helped “arrange the sounds” for various school productions. After three years of teaching, Parker moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a singer/performer.[1][2][3]

The Frank Fara Show featuring Patty Parker

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In California, Parker worked as a secretary for a construction company until she met songwriter and former teen idol from Phoenix, Arizona, Frank Fara. After playing a jam session with each other, the two decided to continue working together. With two other musicians (Paul Marshall/bass, Keith Johnson/lead guitar), they put together a country music road show. Fara wrote the songs and was the lead singer; Parker sang backup vocals and played the drums. The show was originally named The Frank Fara Show, but when audiences reacted enthusiastically to Parker's performances, they renamed the show, The Frank Fara Show featuring Patty Parker.

For five years, their show toured the Nevada casino circuit and venues across the U.S. and Canada. While on tour, Parker and Fara visited local radio stations to share their latest singles and to create relationships with disc jockeys. Eventually Parker and Fara decided to record a studio-produced album. While doing so, Parker discovered she enjoyed working in the studio more than she enjoyed touring.[2][4]

Co-founder, producer, and vice president of Comstock Records

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In 1978, Parker and husband, Fara, transitioned out of their traveling road show and into the record business. The team launched Comstock Records, and had an immediate charting hit with Canadian artist Alex Fraser. His (and their) first single, Four States to Go, reached #9 on the Canadian Country music charts. Parker and Fara soon discovered that artists from around the world were interested in recording authentic-sounding Country music songs. While the headquarters for Comstock Records was located in Shawnee, Kansas, Parker produced and recorded their music in top recording studios in Nashville, Tennessee.[5] She worked with Nashville session musicians such as Tony Migliore, Ralph Childs, Sonny Garrish, Clyde Brooks, Mike Severs, and Don Roth, to provide artists with the authentic Nashville sound.[6] In addition, Parker provided audio tapes and wrote lyrics phonetically to teach artists the country-western way of enunciating. Parker produced artists from many countries across the world including Australia, Canada, Croatia, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the US, and elsewhere.[7][8][9]

In 1988, Comstock moved to Scottdale, Arizona, but continued to record in Nashville. Parker and Fara also formed the subsidiary label, Paylode Records,[10] for adult contemporary and Pop music. They also created two publishing companies, White Cat (ASCAP)[11] and Rocky Bell (BMI).[1][12]

Awards and recognition

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In 1985 Comstock artists were nominated for 10 Canadian Country Music Awards, including one for record company of the year.[13][14] In 1986 five of Comstock records made the Cashbox Top 100.[5] In 1989, Parker was named “Music Row’s Favorite Independent Female Record Producer” by Music Row magazine. Many of Comstock's artists achieved charting success and received Country music awards in their own countries. In 1998, Comstock Records was named Indie Record Label of the Year by the European Country Music Association (ECMA). Parker's success captured the attention of Billboard, Cashbox, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and local newspapers and news stations across North America.[15]

Legacy

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Many of Parker's recordings and much of Comstock's catalog now reside with independent record label, Fervor Records, which has placed many of their songs in TV and film.

Partial discography

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As producer

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Artist Record label Album Format Cat # Country Release date
The Steeles Comstock Records Faith/My Happiness 7" 1630 US 1976
Alex Fraser Midnight Star/Devils Oval 7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM COM 1634 US 1979
Alla Dee Franklin Garage Sale 7", Single, Promo COM 1636 US 1979
The O'Roark Brothers Long Time Comin' LP, Album COM 980 US 1982
Long Time Comin' 7", Single, Promo COM 1641 US 1980
Under the Double Nickel 7", Single, Promo COM 1647 US 1980
Ray Lansbery Heartache Remover 7", Vinyl, 45 RPM COM 1655 US 1981
Bob Jones Woman Unsatisfied/She's Not A Fallen Angel 7", Single COM 1671 US 1981
Don TeBeaux A Park of Mee LP, Album COM-982 US 1982
Christmas Without You/To Love My Woman More 7", Single, Vinyl, 45 RPM COM 1694 US 1982
Put Me In My Place/ A Part of Me 7", Single, 45 RPM,Vinyl COM 1735 US 1984
Buddi Day Lovin' Time of Night 7", Single, Vinyl COM 1684 US 1982
The Last Desperado 7", Single, Vinyl COM 1696 US 1982
Debbie Martin Moments of Love/The Price I Pay (For Loving You Again) 7", Single, Vinyl, 45 RPM COM 1675 US 1982
Bill Hersh Babysittin' With The Blues/Curly's Theme 7", Vinyl, 45 RPM COM 1710 US 1983
Don Malena New Shade of Blue 7" Single, Vinyl, 45 RPM COM 1753 US 1984
I've Been Down 7", Single, Vinyl, 45 RPM COM 1762 US 1984
I'm Not Tough Enough (To Fall in Love Again) 7", Single, Vinyl, 45 RPM COM 1775 1985
Lightning 7", Single, Vinyl, 45 RPM COM 1784 US 1985
One More Night 7', Single COM 1793 1985
Lee Mahony Freedom is Only Another Word For Lonely/One Good Turn 7", Vinyl COM 1727 A US 1983
Reg Watkins & Lori Kristin Oklahoma Memory 7", Vinyl, 45 RPM COM-1704 B US 1983
Stop and Think It Over 7" COM 1734 US 1983
Anne Lord Endlessly 7" COM 1717 1983
Stars in My Eyes 1985
Blue Rain COM 1923 1989
Peter Chipman For All Those Years/ She Can Survive 7", Vinyl, 45 RPM COM 1781 US & Canada 1984
Pegasus More Than a Friend/Last Chance Saloon 7", Vinyl, 45 RPM COM 1773 US 1985
Sherry Ann Don't Waste Your Love On Her Tonight 7", Vinyl, Single COM 1792 US 1985
Billie J. Helmkay Nothing Could Ever Be the Same 1985
Alibi Til The Fire's Burned Out 7", Vinyl, 45 RPM COM 1813 US 1986
No Doubts CD, Album COM 1884 Canada unknown
Priscilla Wright Words On The Wire Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single COM 1801 US 1986
God Bless You Baby 7", Single COM 1983 US 1990
Rick Harrelson Lovin' You Like This Vinyl, 7" COM 1827 US 1986
Rae Palmer Call Me Up Vinyl, 7" COM 1830 US 1986
RJ McClintock When Two Hearts Speak (You Just Can't Stop The Feeling) 7" COM 1836 US 1987
Fred Brown Please Handle With Care 7" COM 1870 US 1987
Johnny Ramone Where Did I Go Right 7", Single COM 1911 US 1988
James Edward Holmes I Got Your Memory on the Line 7", Single COM 1920-A US 1989
John Lindsey Am I The Only One COM1922 1989
Rodney Young Bad Habits 7", Single COM 1985 US 1990
The Crosby's Hit & Run 7", Single COM 1980 US 1990
Thomas E Thomas The Mighty Buffalo Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo COM 2038 US 1990
Jess Owen Remember Me Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM NR-1992-A US 1990
Stoker Brothers Dance a Little Closer/Dance a Little Closer COM 1981 1990
Love On The Run Vinyl, 7", Single, Promo COM 2027 US 1991
The Roberts Sisters Daddy Was A Lawman 7", Single COM 2008 US 1991
Ray Dean James When All the Trains Are Gone 7", Single COM 2011 US 1991
Debbie Baker Send Me A Picture Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single COM 2014 US 1991
Jodie Sinclair I Can't Help Feelin' Crazy Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single COM 2016 US 1991
White Canyon Our Love's Not Perfect 7", Single COM 2017 US 1991
Jeff Southern Highway to Heaven 7", Single COM 2019 US 1991
Colin Clark The Price For Loving You 7", Single COM 2021 US 1991
Boogie Woogie Thang Vinyl, 7", Single COM 2093 US 1993
Dusty Martin Ain't Nothin Been The Same Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM COM 2103 US 1993
Horst Krush Portrait of a Cowboy 7", Single COM 2022 US 1991
Jess Owen Big Boys Don't Cry 7", Single COM 2023 US 1991
Double Gage Car Singer Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM COM 2058 US 1992
Gregg Weaver The Stars Disappear With The Rising Sun Vinyl, 7", Single COM 2091 US 1993
Claudia I Can Tell Vinyl, 7", Single COM 2092 US 1993
Arizona Trilogy (Patty Parker vocals) Song of the Grand Canyon CD, Single COM-716-CDS US 1994
Abby & Johnny Crossing the Pond CD, Album, Comp. Stereo COM-1001-CD US 1994
Cindy Stines Watch and Pray CD, Single COM1013-CDS Europe 1995
Christopher Lee Clayton Livin'Alone Together/The Folks Across the Street CD, Single COM 1022-CDS US 1996
Various Artists Comstock Records International Country Music Sampler Summer 1996 COM SM96 1996
Howdy Still Straight CD, Album COM 3141 US 1999
Frank Fara (Fafara) Charming Billy, Billy The Kid Single 2006
Songs of the Untamed West US 2008
Custer's Last Command Single US 2010
Tombstone Legacy Single US 2014
Ride with Pancho Villa Single US 2014
Patty Parker La Noche Buena, It's Christmas Eve Single US 2005
Southwestern Serenade CD US 2007
Song of the Grand Canyon Single US 2010
Hotel Saguaro Single US 2014
Scheibee & Foosen News For You CD, Album, Super Jewel Case SFCR-092708-CD US 2009
Rick Greysun Jesus Came With Music/I Just Cry Unto You Lord 7", Single COM-1639 US unknown
Gary Kirkland Heartful of Love/Are You From Dixie 7" COM 1858 unknown

[4][16][17]

As performing artist

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Artist Record label Album title Format CAT # Country Release date
Frank Fara/Patty Parker Comstock Records Frank Fara/Patty Parker LP COM 977 US 1977
Arizona Trilogy (Patty Parker vocals) Comstock Records Song of the Grand Canyon CD, Single COM-716-CDS US 1994
Patty Parker Comstock Records La Noche Buena, It's Christmas Eve Single US 2005
Southwestern Serenade CD US 2007
Song of the Grand Canyon Single US 2010
Hotel Saguaro Single US 2014
Fervor Records Help You Find a Way 4xFile, MP3, EP, 256 US 2016

Film and TV

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Artist Song Show title Channel Program type Episode Release date
Billie J. Helmkay "You"re Spreading My Hurt Around" Red Oaks Amazon TV 205 11/11/16
Bob Jones "Woman Unsatisfied" Claws TNT TV 105 7/17/17
Bob Jones "Woman Unsatisfied" The Americans FX TV 504 3/28/17
Bobbie Bowlin "Trying to Be An Outlaw" Red Oaks Amazon TV 306 10/20/17
Debbie Martin "Moments of Love" King of the Road Viceland TV 203 5/9/17
Gale Wahl "The Hard Times All Over Again" Channel Zero SyFy TV 102 10/18/16
Gina Samuels "Lonely Hearts Lover" Red Oaks Amazon TV 207 11/11/16
Kathy Tate "I Am Your Lady" Get Hard na Film 2015
Mitch Clark "Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten" Red Oaks Amazon TV 205 11/11/16
Mitch Clark "Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten" The Americans FX TV 304 11/11/16
Patty Parker "Help You Find a Way" Preacher AMC TV 105 6/26/16
Ray Lansberry "Heartache Remover" Claws TNT TV 107 7/23/17
Susan Doll "Be My Cowboy Tonight" Preacher AMC TV 107 7/10/16
Susan Doll "Be My Cowboy Tonight" Channel Zero SyFy TV 101 10/11/16

[18][19][20][21][22]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Walker, Cecilia (September 8, 1989). "Row File: Patty Parker". Music Row. p. 23.
  2. ^ a b Breckenridge, D.P. (January–February 1983). "Silent Partners in the Music Business". Missouri Life. p. 21.
  3. ^ Kuroff, Barbara Norton (1983). "Record Companies: Close Up: Patty Parker, Producer". Songwriter's Market. Writer's Digest Books.
  4. ^ a b "Comstock Records". Discogs. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  5. ^ a b Hansen, Valerie (October 18, 1986). "The Indies: Where They're Coming From and Where They're Going". Cash Box.
  6. ^ "Producer Spotlight: Patty Parker". Indie Bullet. September 16, 1989. p. 38A.
  7. ^ Morrison, Jim (May 1994). "Eurotwang in Nashville". American Way. p. 46.
  8. ^ Ortega, Bob (September 10, 1993). "A Studio is Teaching a Twang or Two To Foreign Crooners". The Wall Street Journal. p. 1.
  9. ^ "COUNTRY FROM THE OLD COUNTRYFOR CROONERS FROM THE CONTINENT, THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE RUNS THROUGH ARIZONA". Phoenix New Times. 1993-02-10. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  10. ^ "Paylode Records". Discogs. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  11. ^ ACE. "ACE Repertory". www.ascap.com. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  12. ^ "BMI | Repertoire Search". repertoire.bmi.com. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  13. ^ Morris, Edward (April 5, 1986). "Indie Label Looks Northward to Capitalize on Canadian Support". Billboard.
  14. ^ "Comstock's Search for Gold". Country Music News. October 1986.
  15. ^ Mulholland, Dave (November 10, 1984). "Hanford's Gliding Soprano Graces Refreshing Love Songs". The Citizen, Ottawa. p. C7.
  16. ^ "Frank Fara (2) / Patty Parker - Frank Fara / Patty Parker". Discogs. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  17. ^ "Patty Parker". Discogs. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  18. ^ "Music from Red Oaks". Tunefind. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  19. ^ "Music from Claws". Tunefind. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  20. ^ "Music from The Americans". Tunefind. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  21. ^ "Music from Get Hard (2015)". Tunefind. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  22. ^ "Music from Preacher S1E05". Tunefind. Retrieved 2018-01-24.