CANTON – Canton musician Christian Parker is releasing a Byrds-themed album on Friday, Aug. 18

Called Sweethearts, the album is Parker’s unique take and loving tribute to the Byrds' iconic album Sweetheart of the Rodeo.

“I was sixteen when I learned about the Byrds and their music's different facets. Many folks think of Mr. Tambourine Man or Turn, Turn, Turn, their very early hits. These songs use a Rickenbacker 12-string electric guitar with a bell-like tone, or what has been called 'jangle or chime.' In early 1968, they took a left turn with the help of Gram Parsons. They recorded 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo,' which included country, bluegrass, gospel, and folk—essentially giving birth to a new genre called country rock, or 'cosmic-country.' which also has roots in today's Americana,” stated Parker.

He said originally the idea was to record one Byrds Tribute Album spanning their entire catalog.

“In early 2022, I released my solo album 'Every Passing Mile,' and my friend Phil Hurley contributed. He lives in Austin, Texas, and knew Earl Poole Ball, one of the original session players on 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo.' He asked Earl if he would record a track, and Earl said he would be happy to. We recorded a song by Merle Haggard called 'Life in Prison.' It was a blast working with Earl, and when asked if he would do some more recording, he said, 'Why don't we do the entire SOTR album?”

Parker noted. “Everyone involved in the project was thrilled to have him. We put the Byrd’s’ tribute we had been tracking on hold to record 'Sweethearts.' our tribute to the 1968 classic, with fourteen songs, eleven from the original recording, plus three additional ones.”

Ball played with Johnny Cash for 20 years.

Work on Sweethearts began in May 2022 and resumed in the fall. In January, additional players joined the recordings.

“I've been working closely with pedal steel player Gary Jacob on the project, and he asked JayDee Maness, also a pedal steel session player, for this 1968 Colombia Records release. Earl & JayDee are old friends; what a reunion to hear them together. JayDee has been on countless recordings, including Eric Clapton's 'Tears in Heaven.',” Parker remarked.

Parker co-produced the album with Ball in Syracuse, Austin, and San Gabriel, Calif. Engineers were Ron Keck and Parker and mastered by Larry Lachmann at Kevorkian Mastering, New York City.

“We had a total of sixteen artists, including myself. Locally we had Tracer James, who played pedal steel on five songs, two of the three singles released prior. His first track is 'Hickory Wind,' including Jennifer Kessler on violin and backing vocals. For me, this is a highlight of the record,” voiced Parker.

Karl Doty played upright bass on eleven songs, breathing movement and life to the sound. Liesl Doty added fiddle to a song called 'Pretty Boy Floyd' and Potsdam native Danny Gotham played mandolin on 'I am a Pilgrim.' Phil Hurley contributed backing vocals, and Joe Thomas added keyboard to two tracks. Ron Keck played drums on the entire album.

People can hear three singles on streaming channels like Spotify. Once the album comes out on Friday, all the songs are live on streaming. So this link will always work - https://orcd.co/cpepbsweethearts

So what’s next?

“Last week we completed the second volume of the Byrd’s tribute album called 'Change is Now.' It includes fifteen songs spanning their entire catalog. This album is coming out in early 2024. Earl and I have talked about doing more together, and Tracer James. It raised the bar musically for me to have all these professional players. I loved the challenge of singing old country and broadening my repertoire,” stated Parker.

The album is available on CD and vinyl records at TAUNY, 53 Main St., Canton, St. Lawrence County Arts Council, 45 Market St., Potsdam, and will be on all major streaming platforms. Sony/The Orchard handles distribution, and it is on SubCat Records. For online orders visit www.christianparker.com or Amazon.