Parker McCollum is going back to where it all began. The singer-songwriter just announced the release of his fifth studio album, this one self-titled. It's fitting that McCollum's next set of tunes will be his name, since the record is reminiscent of the music McCollum made in the beginning of his career.
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"It is the best thing I've ever done," McCollum announced while performing in front of a sold-out crowd at RODEHOUSTON. "This record is honest. This record is raw. This record is one thousand percent authentic, Parker, and it feels really good to get back to writing and recording songs like I always wanted to."
McCollum released two albums on his own both The Limestone Kid in 2015, followed by Probably Wrong in 2017. Not surprisingly, McCollum's voice and songwriting earned the attention of record labels. In 2021, McCollum released Gold Chain Cowboy, his freshman record on MCA Nashville. He followed that project with Never Enough, released two years later.
Parker McCollum's Country Music Path
McCollum has already had four consecutive No. 1 hits, and seems likely to have his fifth with his current single, "What Kinda Man." But in spite of his success, the Texan admits he wonders if he truly is a country artist.
"I wanted to be a country singer for as long as I remember," McCollum tells WTVA. "And the longer I do this, the more I kind of realize I may just not be one. The more I try to write country songs and make country records, the further I get away from what really has always made me, me. I don't know what you would call it, but you know all those names," Parker says. "If you took all of them and put them in a blender, I think it could come out as something similar."
McCollum might wonder if he is still a country artist, but he's about to spend some time with the King of Country Music. McCollum will join Strait as the opening act for Strait's upcoming stadium tour. McCollum jokes that he is trying to catch up with Strait's record-breaking 60 No. 1 hits.
"I guess I never really thought about it too much, then now we have four," McCollum quips to CMT. "I'm only 56 behind him, so I should be able to catch up pretty soon."
Parker McCollum will be out on June 27.
