Jim Parker - Hit Songwriter & Creator/Host of Jim Parker’s Songwriters Series ®

Amelia White’s reputation as one of Nashville’s most captivating singer songwriters has increased substantially with each and every new release. And for good reason. Assured and emotive, White’s songs come across with an authority and determination that gets straight to the heart of her sentiment and intents. Her new album, Love I Swore, offers a discourse  revolving around bracing emotional issues — the struggle to maintain core relationships, dealing with loss and loneliness, and, in particular, the difficulties and diversions encountered by road-weary musicians. Taken in tandem Love I Swore is a testament to White’s powers of persuasion — that is, her ability to involve the listener and leave behind an emphatic impression. It’s everything a set of songs should be — personal, provocative and flush with earnest emotion. As a result, White’s made a definitive statement and also the most defining album of her career. The love she swears to is clearly evident throughout.  Learn more about Amelia White online at http://www.ameliawhite.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound," as well as his recent book about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains "Thirty Years Behind The Glass. Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville.” During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and venue developer, booking manager, and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers. Billy's new self titled album was released on Spectra Records October 2023 on iTunes and all major outlets! Learn more about Billy online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

My Backstage Pass intro & outro music credit:
Intro - Billy Hubbard "Waitin' on The Wind"
Outro - Billy Hubbard "Lonesome When I'm With You"

Despite a storied career that found him firmly at the helm of the highly acclaimed East Tennessee-based band The Black Lillies, and prior to that, the primary back-up for singer Robinella, Cruz Contreras, in effect starting anew. His debut solo album Cosmico, finds him stepping out on his own and taking his music into a decidedly new direction. Borne from a personal perspective that is, by turns, both ethereal and emphatic, music conveyed through tone, texture and melodies that immediately crawl under the skin and then linger there in a perpetual haze. In this episode Cruz sits down with Lee Zimmerman and Billy Hubbard to discuss the stories behind the songs and this bold new chapter and what lies ahead. Learn more about Cruz Contreras at https://www.cruzcontreras.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound," as well as his recent book about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains "Thirty Years Behind The Glass. Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville.” During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and venue developer, booking manager, and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers. Billy's new self titled album was released on Spectra Records October 2023 on iTunes and all major outlets! Learn more about Billy online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com 

My Backstage Pass intro & outro music credit: 
Intro - Billy Hubbard "Waiting' on The Wind"
Outro - Billy Hubbard "Lonesome When I'm With You"

Within a year after getting his first guitar donated by his sister’s boyfriend, Jimmy Gilmer of Sugar Shack fame, Jim Parker was playing in a band and later became a founding member of The Illusions that landed a record deal with Dot Records. In 1966 he and his buddies decided to leave their hometown of Amarillo, Texas, and head to Los Angeles. During that time, The Illusions became “The Kitchen Cinq” recording with Lee Hazelwood’s LHI label for three years. This later led to jobs with other recording bands like Armageddon and THEM (post Van Morrison) with some studio work with Sonny and Cher and various recording artists on the side. Fifty years later, on August 28, 2015, AceRecords of the UK and its affiliate US label Light in the Attic Records released “The Kitchen Cinq, When the Rainbow Disappears”, as an anthology complete with a booklet of photos and history of the band.

Moving to Nashville in 1975 was the beginning of another serendipitous phase of Jim’s career where he met a young John Anderson and began writing successful chart songs. Then Jim branched out and has co-written with many #1, Hall of Fame and Grammy winning songwriters over the years and continues to do so today. 

Jim is the creator and host of a popular series at the Von Braun Center Playhouse in Huntsville, AL since 2005 called Jim Parker’s Songwriters Series ® where he showcases the incredible talent of his hit songwriter friends from Nashville, Muscle Shoals, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Canada and surrounding areas. Without the songwriter there would be no music because it all begins with a songwriter and a song. Learn more about Jim Parker at  JimParkerMusic.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound," as well as his recent book about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains "Thirty Years Behind The Glass. Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville.” During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and venue developer, booking manager, and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers. Billy's new self titled album was released on Spectra Records October 2023 on iTunes and all major outlets! Learn more about Billy online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitar-carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream. And much like the artists who have influenced him, everyone from Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to the singer-songwriter who is undoubtedly his greatest inspiration, Woody Guthrie, Paul weaves deeply personal experiences with social issues and renders them as provocative works that are as timely as they are timeless. Born and raised in Maine, Paul attended Boston College on a track scholarship and in the evenings became a fixture on the city’s open mic circuit. After winning a Boston Acoustic Underground songwriter competition, he caught the ear of folk luminary Bill Morrissey, who produced his indie album Say Something in 1993. This led to a seven- album contract with Rounder Records and the 1994 album, Stories.

His songs have appeared in several blockbuster films (Me, Myself, and Irene; Shallow Hal, Hall Pass) and have been covered by award winning country artists (Sugarland, Kristian Bush, Jack Ingram). Through a steady succession of albums of his own – a remarkable 23 releases so far – and a constant touring presence around the world, Paul’s audience has grown into a loyal legion of fans. Learn more about Ellis Paul at www.ellispaul.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound," as well as his recent book about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains "Thirty Years Behind The Glass," both are now available on Amazon and other outlets.

Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville” so you can blame him for the fact that it’s become something akin to a Parrot heads’ national anthem! During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net and find him online at https://www.storiesbeyondthemusic.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is also the venue developer, booking manager, and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers. Billy's new self titled album was released on Spectra Records October 2023 on iTunes and all major outlets! Learn more about Billy online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

My Backstage Pass intro/outro music credit; Billy Hubbard "Waiting' on The Wind"

This episode we have a conversation with songwriter, storyteller, multi-instrumentalist Rees Shad. Shad has been described as a master of alluring melodies and short story songs whose characters interact and reoccur in eloquent musical vignettes. An accomplished musician, composer, and creative, Shad has an impressive catalog of thirteen solo albums (with another dozen side projects) containing a wide range of music and narratives. Shad grew up absorbing the NYC music scene immersing himself in vintage blues, jazz, folk, country, classic rock and punk before moving to upstate New York to embrace a more rural lifestyle. An experienced studio engineer, musician, and producer, he has happily and determinedly iterated his craftsmanship over the decades, and his latest release, Tattletale contains some of his most compelling work to date. Learn more about Rees Shad at www.ReesShadMusic.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound," as well as his recent book about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains "Thirty Years Behind The Glass," both are now available on Amazon and other outlets.

Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville” so you can blame him for the fact that it’s become something akin to a Parrot heads’ national anthem! During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net and find him online at https://www.storiesbeyondthemusic.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is also the venue developer, booking manager, and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers. Billy's new self titled album was released on Spectra Records October 2023 on iTunes and all major outlets! Learn more about Billy online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

My Backstage Pass intro/outro music credit; Billy Hubbard "Waiting' on The Wind"

In a recording career spanning some fifty years, bridging a range in time and style that reaches from the early days at Memphis’s Stax Records to Carlos Santana’s eight-Grammy year in 2000 and beyond, producer Jim Gaines has operated the mixing board for some of the greatest artists in American music. Journey, Huey Lewis and the News, Steve Miller, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Dionne Warwick are just a few of the influential musicians who have entrusted their creativity and talent to his proven abilities.

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound," as well as his recent book about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains "Thirty Years Behind The Glass," both are now available on Amazon and other outlets.

Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville” so you can blame him for the fact that it’s become something akin to a Parrot heads’ national anthem! During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net and find him online at https://www.storiesbeyondthemusic.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is also the venue developer, booking manager, and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers. Billy's new self titled album will be released on Spectra Records October 2023 on iTunes, Amazon, Shopify and all major outlets! Learn more about Billy online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com
My Backstage Pass intro/outro music credit; Billy Hubbard "Waiting' on The Wind"

Be sure to also hear parts 1 and 2 of Steve Meyer! Steve was more than just a record executive whose stint as National Promotion Director for Capitol Records and Universal/MCA made him one of the biggest power brokers in the music industry during '70s, '80s and '90s. He worked with the biggest names in the business -- The Beatles (and Paul McCartney and John Lennon individually), Bob Seger, Steve Miller, Elton John, Little River Band, and so many other artists who defined Top 40 and Album-Oriented radio for all time. He not only worked the records, but actually played a role in which songs would be released as singles and go on to become major hits. He helped define the strategy and eventual success of the many musicians he worked with and, in turn, helped create careers that became absolutely indelible within his realms of modern music.

Lee worked with Steve during his own stint at Capitol Records and considers him a mentor. As a result, the conversation he and Billy had not only makes for an informative encounter, but one well stocked with memories, musings and emotion. Tune in and see why!

History and happenstance take center stage!

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound," as well as his recent book about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains "Thirty Years Behind The Glass," both are now available on Amazon and other outlets.

Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville” so you can blame him for the fact that it’s become something akin to a Parrot heads’ national anthem! During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net and find him online at https://www.storiesbeyondthemusic.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is also the venue developer, booking manager, and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers. Billy's new self titled album will be released on Spectra Records October 2023 on iTunes, Amazon, Shopify and all major outlets! Learn more about Billy online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com
My Backstage Pass intro/outro music credit; Billy Hubbard "Waiting' on The Wind"

Be sure to also hear parts 1 and 3 of Steve Meyer! Steve was more than just a record executive whose stint as National Promotion Director for Capitol Records and Universal/MCA made him one of the biggest power brokers in the music industry during '70s, '80s and '90s. He worked with the biggest names in the business -- The Beatles (and Paul McCartney and John Lennon individually), Bob Seger, Steve Miller, Elton John, Little River Band, and so many other artists who defined Top 40 and Album-Oriented radio for all time. He not only worked the records, but actually played a role in which songs would be released as singles and go on to become major hits. He helped define the strategy and eventual success of the many musicians he worked with and, in turn, helped create careers that became absolutely indelible within his realms of modern music.

Lee worked with Steve during his own stint at Capitol Records and considers him a mentor. As a result, the conversation he and Billy had not only makes for an informative encounter, but one well stocked with memories, musings and emotion. Tune in and see why!

History and happenstance take center stage!

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound," as well as his recent book about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains "Thirty Years Behind The Glass," both are now available on Amazon and other outlets.

Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville” so you can blame him for the fact that it’s become something akin to a Parrot heads’ national anthem! During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net and find him online at https://www.storiesbeyondthemusic.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is also the venue developer, booking manager, and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers. Billy's new self titled album will be released on Spectra Records October 2023 on iTunes, Amazon, Shopify and all major outlets! Learn more about Billy online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com
My Backstage Pass intro/outro music credit; Billy Hubbard "Waiting' on The Wind"

Be sure to also hear parts 2 and 3 of Steve Meyer! Steve was more than just a record executive whose stint as National Promotion Director for Capitol Records and Universal/MCA made him one of the biggest power brokers in the music industry during '70s, '80s and '90s. He worked with the biggest names in the business -- The Beatles (and Paul McCartney and John Lennon individually), Bob Seger, Steve Miller, Elton John, Little River Band, and so many other artists who defined Top 40 and Album-Oriented radio for all time. He not only worked the records, but actually played a role in which songs would be released as singles and go on to become major hits. He helped define the strategy and eventual success of the many musicians he worked with and, in turn, helped create careers that became absolutely indelible within his realms of modern music.

Lee worked with Steve during his own stint at Capitol Records and considers him a mentor. As a result, the conversation he and Billy had not only makes for an informative encounter, but one well stocked with memories, musings and emotion. Tune in and see why!

History and happenstance take center stage!

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound," as well as his recent book about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains "Thirty Years Behind The Glass," both are now available on Amazon and other outlets.

Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville” so you can blame him for the fact that it’s become something akin to a Parrot heads’ national anthem! During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net and find him online at https://www.storiesbeyondthemusic.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is also the venue developer, booking manager, and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers. Billy's new self titled album will be released on Spectra Records October 2023 on iTunes, Amazon, Shopify and all major outlets! Learn more about Billy online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com
My Backstage Pass intro/outro music credit; Billy Hubbard "Waiting' on The Wind"

A conversation with the Ireland based band Seafoam Green as they bring their Americana Roots Roadshow across the Atlantic for their 2023 US tour.
Learn more about Seafoam Green at http://www.seafoamgreenband.com/ 
What others are saying about Seafoam Green:

- Classic Rock Magazine “Stunning...9/10”, 

- Country Music Magazine ★★★★★ 

- Mojo Magazine - “Near faultless album"

"Seafoam Green are Irish band Dave O'Grady and Muireann McDermott Long. The pair specialise in what we now call Americana. If you want blues, gospel, and folk, they’ve got it, but what they’ve actually perfected across two albums and countless live shows is the sound of a glorious rock n’ soul revival.  Seafoam Green even find room for a dash of Dublinese, just to remind people where they’re coming from. Heavy hitters like Rich Robinson, Derek Trucks, and Tyler Greenwell have all chipped in, and it’s not hard to hear why, for this is thrilling, vital, and – that word again - soulful music."
Pat Carty - Hot Press Magazine

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound," as well as his recent book about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains "Thirty Years Behind The Glass," both are now available on Amazon and other outlets.

Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville” so you can blame him for the fact that it’s become something akin to a Parrot heads’ national anthem! During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net and find him online at https://www.storiesbeyondthemusic.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is also the venue developer, booking manager, and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has over 3 million viewers. Billy's new self titled album released September 2022 is now available on iTunes, Amazon, Shopify and all major outlets! Learn more about Billy online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com
My Backstage Pass intro/outro music credit; Billy Hubbard "Waiting' on The Wind"