563 – Chris Parker: The blueprint for an enduring career

Chris Parker may fly under the radar, but it’s not because of a lack of accomplishment. The NYC drummer (who started playing drums at the age of three) has had a career spanning more than five decades with a wide variety of artists. From Don McLean, Bonnie Raitt and Paul Butterfield in the 70’s, to Bob Dylan and Ashford and Simpson in the 80’s, to Donald Fagen in the 90s all the way to Cher in the 00’s, Chris has been there, done that and continues to do. What makes Chris especially unique is that he’s an artist in every aspect of the word, and uses his drumming to influence his painting and vice versa. Chris sees creativity in everything and it’s evident in whatever he creates.

Chris Parker talks about:

• Growing up in a house full of drummers and playing along to records from a young age
• How he thinks the pandemic will effect technological advances in music in the future
• His two big breaks, the connections he made, and the lessons he learned as his career grew
• The album work he is most proud of
• The artists he wishes he could have worked with more
• How his art outside of music is connected to his playing

Resources/Links mentioned:

• Contact Chris: Website | Instagram
• Art by Chris: Art Lampoon | Chris Parker Artwork