About That Song: Joyann Parker
About That Song #40
In our special series, singer-songwriter Sarah Morris interviews artists about the songs that shaped them.
Hi! I’m Sarah Morris. I’m wildly in love with songs and the people who write them. There have been a few songs in my life that have been total gamechangers—songs that made me want to be a songwriter and songs I’ve written that made me feel like I am a songwriter. About That Song is a space where I can learn more about those pivotal songs in other writers’ lives.
For our 40th installment, I had a fun exchange with the amazing local blues talent Joyann Parker! I can't believe it took me this long to interview her. I’m silly.
Joyann Parker. Photo credit: Jeannine Marie Photography.
Sarah: Hi Joyann!! Oh, it’s so lovely to get a chance to talk about songwriting with you. An incredible live performer, bandleader, and singer, you write captivating originals that stand shoulder to shoulder with standards and classics. Congrats on the recent release of your album, Roots (produced by previous ATS guest Kevin Bowe!)—which debuted at #10 on the Billboard Blues Chart! I’m going to lean all the way into the metaphor and say that I'd like to learn a little bit more about the songs that are part of your musical roots. Do you remember the song that you heard that made you want to be a songwriter? Tell us about that song.
Joyann: I think “I’d Rather Go Blind” is the song that began all of this, both singing- and writing-wise. That was the first song I ever sang at the blues jam I started going to when I took my first cover band job back in 2012. I chose it because I could sing it with authenticity and passion, because I could relate to the lyrics.
One night when I got done singing it, another blues artist was telling me how much he loved my voice and how I sang that song, and then he asked, “Do you write your own music?” I said no, and he said “Why not?” The only answer I had was that I hadn’t ever tried because I didn’t think I could, to which he replied something like, “You’re a woman, of course you can write! Go write!” I went home and thought about that over and over until I came to the conclusion that maybe he was right, and the rest is history because I wrote my first song not long after that.
Sarah: I love that someone spoke those words to you, that someone encouraged you directly towards writing. Once you began writing, did you feel like a writer immediately? It took me a few years of writing before I believed it—was there a song that gave you that “a-HA! I AM a songwriter!” moment? Tell us about that song.
Joyann: Gosh, I guess it depends on the day. I have imposter syndrome issues many times every week and wonder what the heck I am doing. The biggest compliment to me is when people tell me they love my songs, not just my singing. I love knowing that what I write helps them; that is something I do not take for granted and really validates me as a writer.
Sarah: Blues as a genre feels like a place where there is a supremely high value on the singing, the feeling within the performance, and as a listener, that can impact me in a way where I think “oh, they could sing the phone book,” you know? Your audience saying they love your songs seems additionally meaningful in that context.
The title song for your new album, “Roots,” is incredibly dynamic, sonically and lyrically—it hit me almost like a mission statement? Does that make any sense? (Also, the video is SO GOOD!) Tell us about that song.
Joyann: Thanks so much. That’s my daughter, Anika, playing the younger me in that video, and she rocked it. It was so fun having her take part. I think you nailed it when you said “Roots” is a mission statement. It’s an anthem about what’s important in my life: faith, family, the strong foundations on which to build a life. I’ve been through a lot of stuff and it took me a long time to get to where I am now, which is in a place where I am sure about the things that make me the me I want to be. In order to grow I needed to identify and nurture those good roots and also identify and kill off the bad ones. It's all about growth and good fruit.
Sarah: She absolutely rocked it—that must have been such a wonderful experience for the two of you. In your song “Stay Home Mama,” you sing “Mama needs a little time to herself before she gives it away to everybody else.” Actually, the song is chock full of details that I um … know well. I was totally impressed with the way you made these domestic moments (Legos! Pouring the milk!) into this fantastic blues song. Can you tell us about that song?
Joyann: Haha, thank you; it’s definitely a real-life song. When we moved back to Wisconsin in 2020 I decided to try homeschooling my two kids, then 13 and 10. Let’s just say that the first year did not go well; in fact, I didn’t know if all three of us would make it out alive. We were driving each other crazy, and this particular day I went to my room and wrote this song in about 5 minutes. It was a result of a mom having a total meltdown moment. I thought I’d sing it just as a joke once or twice, but the reaction from audiences was so strong that we ended up putting it on the record. I guess I hit a nerve, haha!
Joyann Parker. Photo credit: Jeannine Marie Photography.
Sarah: Writing a song feels like an incredibly productive way to meltdown, and you modeled that good behavior for your kiddos. Kudos to you!
In addition to your Joyann Parker original shows, I know you also have a marvelous Patsy Cline tribute show. Sometimes, listening to Patsy, I am so swayed by the singing that I forget that it’s really the song that just tore me up a bit inside. Is there a specific Patsy song that started the journey to a tribute show for you?
Joyann: Truth be told, I didn’t really listen to Patsy Cline until about 10 years ago. I didn’t appreciate classic country until I was much older even though I grew up with it—I thought it was boring. Like you, I realized that the songs were just SO good and I wanted to immerse myself in them. The song that really hit me was “Leavin’ on Your Mind.” I listened to it over and over and over and it made me cry, and I just knew I wanted to sing THAT song, along with a bunch of others of course. Patsy was the master of making song lyrics come alive.
Sarah: Oh, yes, THAT song, and the way she sings it. To my ear, Patsy sings into every element of the word—the vowels, the consonants, the space—everything is attended to.
You perform frequently, both regionally, and nationally—are there any Midwest shows coming up you’re particularly excited about? Where might we get to hear you sing some of these songs?
Joyann: Lots of shows coming up, as always! We’ll be in Des Moines at Noce for two shows, April 6th and 7th; Chanhassen Dinner Theaters for our Classic Ladies of Country show on April 14.
Want to head down to Des Moines to see Joyann at Noce? Learn more and get tickets!
Listen to “Roots”
Roots Album Credits
All songs written by Joyann Parker
Produced by Kevin Bowe and Joyann Parker
Joyann Parker - vocals, guitar, piano
Mark Lamoine - Vocals/guitar
Chris Bates - bass
Bill Golden - drums/percussion
Tim Wick - keys
Scott Graves - trombone
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Morris. Photo credit: Tom Smouse.
Sarah Morris is a superfan of songs and the people who write them, and a believer that certain songs can change your life. A singer-songwriter / mama / bread maker / coffee drinker who recently released her fifth album of original material, she’s been known to joyfully sing with people in her Big Green Bathroom.
