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Ohio auto body man and his band pursue CD project
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By WENDY MITCHELL Staff Writer
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PEEBLES, Ohio -- A Peebles auto body shop owner and musician's smile widened and his eyes appeared to gain a starry twinkle at the thought of one day appearing on the stage that is home to some of his favorite stars.
When it comes to singing, Steve Parks, 33, would love to be headed toward a performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
"Wouldn't that be something," said Parks.
A career that got its beginnings with a karaoke experience has become a promise of more to come for Parks.
In just a year and a half, Parks has already been noticed by the country music industry. He laughs about the path that brought him to the stage at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center last summer.
"I used to sing at work and people would tell me I should sing on stage. So this one night I was in a bar and they had a karaoke thing going on. I stepped up and began singing and realized people had stopped what they were doing and were really listening to me," said Parks. "After that I started looking for places with a house band I could sing with, until I got my own band."
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With his star beginning to shine, Parks has performed as the opening act at concerts in Adams County by nationally know country music artists Josh Gracin and Keith Anderson.
His recording "A Few Cents Short," written by John Michael Montgomery, has also been getting a lot of play time on C103 radio, said Parks.
"I really think Steve has what it takes to go far," said Rosie Young, radio personality at C103.
Going far means following in the path of some great singers and songwriters, said Parks.
"George Strait is a big influence; I am really inspired by many of his songs," said Parks.
Another favorite request at his performances is a song written by Paul Pollard called "Call Your Boyfriend A Cab," said Parks.
"It is one of those fun songs," he said.
He has recorded both songs, along with a third, on a demo CD he uses for self promotion.
In 2006, Parks won the Renfro Valley Talent Search and was awarded a recording package that allowed Parks and his band, Longshot to make a master recording. He will also be opening for a nationally known performer.
"They haven't told me who I will be opening for yet," said Parks.
Recording their own creations is a goal for the fire behind the current performances of Parks and the band. Though Parks and Longshot had been performing frequently, they backed down on their schedule of performances to create unique material for the CD.
"Now we are performing to afford to produce the master into a CD," said Parks.
Playing for pay has been good, said Parks, but until a recording contract comes along Parks and Longshot members, Will Hubbard, Kevin Colewell and Steve McClanahan will keep their day jobs.
Parks operates Parks Auto Body in Peebles; Hubbard works at a cabinet manufacturer in Waverly, Ohio and Colewell and McClanahan are landscapers.
Even though he is preparing for the fund-raiser for the CD project, set for 8 p.m., March 3, at West Union Elementary School, weather-related customer requests are keeping him busy at his body shop.
"I have been really busy with repairs right now; deer and the weather are the biggest causes," said Parks.
Musical talent has not fallen far from the Parks family tree; his father Steve V. Parks dabbled with music in his younger days.
"He opted for the family route and set that aside," said Parks.
His mother, Charlotte, was a member of a gospel group which eventually took the Nashville recording route, but she did not go with the group, said Parks.
"It's funny how those things happen. You never know where a path may lead." he said.
Chasing fame is up to Steve M. Parks, now; though his brother, Garry, has a good singing voice, shyness keeps him off the stage.
"He really does have a good voice," said Parks. "I just can't get him on stage."
A near future goal for Parks and Longshot is to perform in Nashville. A performance at the famous Wild Horse Saloon didn't materialize, but Parks is hopeful for another chance to have their music heard.
"We are putting together a showcase and talking to some people about performing at the 12th and Porter, a popular showcase location in Nashville," said Parks.
For information or to hear Parks sing, go to www.steveparkstickets.com
For more area news, go to www.westunion-online.com
Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 276. |
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