This week’s guest is Charlie Parr. Over the course of his 30-year career, the Duluth-based guitarist and singer has released more than a dozen albums, played thousands of shows all over the U.S. and beyond, opened for legends like B.B. King and Doc Watson, and has remained thoroughly captivated by the guitar the entire time. Along the way, he’s performed at massive festivals and in empty bars (and everywhere in between), built a more-than-respectable fan base, and has made friends all over the globe by way of his tireless touring.
Prior to setting out on yet another tour, Parr spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about the autumn jaunt (including a November 23 show at The Back Room @ Colectivo), his new book, and what the near future holds for him. During the conversation, Parr also talked about first playing the guitar at the age of eight, diving into songwriting in his twenties, busking for change and sandwiches while living in the Twin Cities in the ’80s, landing a life-changing opening opportunity that brought him to stages in England and Ireland in his thirties, the good—and the not so good—aspects of his nomadic line of work, some standout experiences from lengthy and accomplished career, and why getting to play music remains his favorite thing in the world.
My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth (“The Junction Street Eight Tigers”) and Charlie Parr (“Last Of The Better Days Ahead”).