CANTON – For many people, if there’s one good thing that transpired from the COVID-19 pandemic, it was having and taking the time to be creative.

This scenario bodes well for Canton singer/songwriter Christian Parker who is releasing his first solo album since the 1990s on Friday, Jan. 21.

Initial work took place at Parker’s home studio with the final production cut at SubCat Studios in Syracuse.

The 13-song album is titled Every Passing Mile with a style featuring a few different music genres ranging from folk-rock to country, which according to Parker, “covers Americana.”

“The majority of the songs were written during the Covid shutdown. I was actually working on tracks for an unreleased album called Best Kept Secret and it was clear to me that we had two albums,” stated Parker.

Best Kept Secret will be released in June, Parker noted.

A guitarist in the popular local/regional band Waydown Wailers, Parker said he believes his solo album features a different sound. “When I was 12 years old I started with bluegrass on guitar then jumped into a Beatles songbook. Once I discovered Bob Dylan, and then The Byrds, it was pretty clear my foundation was Americana, folk-rock, and California country,” said Parker. He explained that using a Fender B-Bender Telecaster brought a unique sound to the Waydown Wailers, “At first, I was not sure how it would blend with Wailers swamp rock, blues-rock sound, but it worked and became relevant to our sound,” he said. His solo effort has allowed him to craft and blend his acoustic roots and electric guitar work in his own songwriting.

Parker said the title song and a second single titled Cast a Line have fully-produced music videos depicting their meaning. Visit www.christianparker.com as well as the following links to watch and listen: Every Passing Mile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ofnwH-Eppk

Cast A Line: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJUtJvfNDtI

Besides these two songs, the album playlist includes Faded Memories, Tulsa County, Dark Eyed Girl, Fire With Fire, One Life One Love, Slow Life, Last Glance, Ordinary Girl, This Time, Dream Catcher, and Sojourners Prayer.

Parker acknowledged musicians who worked on the solo album. They included Phil Hurley, guitar and backing vocals; Jennifer Kessler on violin; and Mike Scriminger of the Waydown Wailers on drums.

CDs are available for purchase at Brick and Mortar Music in Potsdam, SLC Arts in Potsdam, and TAUNY in Canton.