John Parr… Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Growing up in small Springtown Texas we didn’t see too much excitement so I always looked forward to the day after graduating high school and knowing that I was going to be staring at Springtown Texas in my rear view mirror and heading north to the big metroplex of Dallas-Fort Worth. I can however say that through the boredom’s and not being challenged to the limits of my abilities in high school I found myself gravitating toward music that inspired and energized me and one of my obvious gravitations was towards John Parr.
Don’t get me wrong, I had however always known and recognized the influence of music in my life since I was an itty bitty, little girl.
I recently interviewed John for my weekly/national radio show “How Athletes Roll Radio” and he also took time out of his crazed schedule of releasing his next album to sit and chat with me regarding what you‘all are accustomed to reading about from my columns…cars.
So John what was that first car that you had as a kid?
The first car that I had was a 1966 Volkswagen bug. It was a 4 speed, looked like the Herbie car and it was a 6 volt. We even spray painted the dashboard a metallic gold in color to give it its own personality.
Who taught you to drive?
My mom taught me to drive being as my dad didn’t seem to have the patience for teaching me. I actually only had 2 lessons before taking my test.
So I thought I would give him a hard time and rib on him that possibly if he would have had more then 2 lessons before taking that test he would be a better driver today….I think he laughed at my ribbing but probably wanted to pinch me.
How many cars do you suppose that you have owned throughout your life?
Geez, I think I could say close to 17, I like to keep cars for a long time. A car becomes very comfortable to me so I only trade them in with it is a must.
If you would not have become this amazing talented musician that you are what do you think that you would have done career wise?
I do love dogs so I may have become a dog handler and I really thought about doing this when I was younger and I also thought about becoming a chef. My true passion has always been music so I have stayed true to that.
Thank goodness because I know I speak for all of the readers out there when I say that we love John’s music. Plus I could show him a thing or two in the kitchen but then again he would possibly get bitten by the bug of wanting to become a chef again!
What type of music do you like to listen to while you are driving?
I do love listening to driving type of music while I drive and lean towards classic rock a tad bit to say that I like Steely Dan, Jackson Browne, Whitesnake and The Eagles to mention a few. I like a lot of classic American music; the kind of music that will encourage you put the top down and let the wind blow through your hair. When I listen to bands such as The Foo Fighters it gives me the urge to drive fast and hard because it is in your face type of music.
Okay so we were trying to think of Steppenwolf’s Born to be Wild song so after singing John a few bars of the song, I think that any possible chance I have as being one of his back-up singers quickly went into the gutter. Note to John Parr: Sorry for hurting your ear drum with my twangy singing accent.
What do you drive now?
Barbara, I drive a Mercedes black on black 55 AMG, it is a V8 and I love the horsepower and the get-up- and-go that it has.
John, I have always had a saying in the industry that there is a butt for every seat and so it sounds like your fits into a Mercedes very well.
How fast have you driven that sweet ride? Also, great choice on the color combination.
I have opened it to 130 or 140 and I hardly ever get it up to that speed. I used to drive a bit crazy fast all the time but not too much anymore. My sons drive crazy fast. Do not get me wrong, I do still have my moments that I get the urge to put the foot to the floor. I can say though that as I have gotten older I am more calculated.
I had to agree with him on this as I try to keep safety first on the freeway so much unlike when I was younger and out of control on city streets so I will keep my crazy actions for when I hit the dirt and my next race!
When you were touring the US in the 80’s did you have any favorite road trips that you liked to venture on?
When I was touring my life was absolutely crazy. We would play a concert, load-up, drive 300 miles to the next town, play that night and start all over again and again and again and again. This was a frustration for me being as I did not really get to take-in all of the beauty that America has to offer. Before I came to America I was so captivated by it from afar especially being from a one horse town so I would always see the 70’s Television shows such as Magnum PI, 77 Sunset Strip and shows like this made America look so magical. I remember the first time that I saw New York City; it had such a huge effect on me especially when I saw it from the air. I also was enamored by the lights in Los Angeles; they looked like gems in a king’s crown. I really like the coast highway that leads from California to Canada and also liked spending time in Florida. I actually lived in the Miami area for three months when I was recording my first record and love the waterways.
If you could describe the perfect woman as a car what kind of car would it be?
Hummmm, she would need to have great curvy angles, loaded with class but have danger attached. Cars are very sexy pieces of metal and we look for the ones that make us feel like we are in a cocoon and I suppose we do fall in love with them as well. We like the way they feel on the inside and out. We become attached to our cars possibly because of the amount of time that we spend with them.
What can you tell me about your upcoming United States resurgence?
I am coming back to the United States after 20 years in order to do solo performances and also performances with my band. I want to play my hits as well as introduce everyone to new tracks as well. I want to pick up from where I left off and really show people that despite it being this long since I have been to the US nothing has changed for me. I hope that America will welcome me back to my second home that has always held a very special place in my heart and life.
John is getting ready to release his new album with classic hits such as Man in Motion, Naughty Naughty and some hidden gems such as Dream On and Man With A Vision. There is no question that John will have number 1 hits during his resurgence and I will predict numerous tracks on the charts. This man is amazing, gifted and loaded with nitrous talent that runs through his veins and soul. Americans will love and embrace him like never before and he is not only bringing the classic John Parr songs we sing in our heads over and over but bringing us new gifts as well.
I know without any doubt that John Parr will explode here in the US above and beyond the heights that he had achieved here in the amazing 80’s! I hope that everyone enjoys this article and photos of the one and only music legend…John Parr, “A Man With A Vision”.
Barbara Terry
4-7-2011
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