Thought Of Loving You

Don't Tell Me

Stick it Stomp

Molly

Don't Tell Mama

Wooden Frame

Working on Nothin'

Empty Space

This is the first parker | mandolin project that is entirely solo. 

Starry Night

Liza

Big Country

Hurry Home

Although born in upstate New York, I have always considered myself a native North Carolinian. I moved to Chapel Hill in 1991, and have lived overseas for some time, but I have never lost touch with the college town. I have studied music for most of my life, but really only began when I was introduced to the mandolin in 2001, jamming on a 20 dollar beater with a buddy on guitar. Previously I had only heard of the mandolin through my Italian family. My great grandfather, Charles Pella, played mandolin. I am in the process of tracking down his instrument, as it is rumored to be a Loar era instrument.

Like all players, I have learned to appreciate all genres of music, particularly I love how the mandolin, though perceived as a traditional classical, or bluegrass instrument, can be applied to all styles of play.

Music is such a spiritual endeavor, and a life-time pursuit. Great music crosses language, culture, and emotion. And, like a great novel, sound can evoke every spectrum of human emotion. At some point in my medical and family life, I decided I wanted to grow through my lifetime into a musician that can hopefully deliver the resounding variation of sound and emotion through the mandolin. While I dabble in other instruments, mandolin is my vector. The sound appeals to me, and is unique enough to change other more known tunes into something new.

I pride my self in loving and listening to all music, from pop to jazz to classical to choro to bluegrass and to “great music.” I am inspired by the mandolin greats, Marshall, Thile, McReynolds, Monroe, Grisman, Steffey, Statman, Stiernberg…there are so many.

But I am also inspired more so by music itself, and by the friendships I have developed through music. Some of my greatest influences have been my former band-mates. More importantly, I have created unbreakable relationships with my friends in music.

After almost eight years of playing, and three albums since starting the mandolin, I created parker mandolin to give yet another resource to the music community to hear new music, learn more about the great instrument, and of course to come and listen to live shows with me, Ben Parker.

I hope you enjoy my music, and feel free to email with any questions you have about music and the mandolin.

Sincerely,

~Ben Parker

parker | mandolin

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