Parker McCollum Gets Personal On New Album, ‘Never Enough’

Parker McCollum is opening up about what it’s like to often feel inadequate against the standards put in place on his new album, Never Enough.

In reflection of the title, the 15-track project bares a genuine look into the “Gold Chain Cowboy’s” life and his internal battles with self-acceptance. The project includes his standard love and heartbreak ballads, but among those somber tracks are some upbeat melodies like in the leading track, “Hurricane,” which brings something new to his catalog of songs. 

“’Never Enough’ is really kind of just the common theme. I just couldn’t shake it. All last year I just kept coming back to it, you know, every mountain I’ve climbed, I just kind of immediately wanted to climb the next mountain. And as much as I could obtain or buy or do, or the amount of work I could put in is like never enough. It always seems never enough,” he explained honestly.

Then again, the multi-Platinum MCA Nashville singer-songwriter has also learned to slow things down and take a closer look at the people, things and places around him. 

“And you gotta learn to really be grateful for what you have and to be in the moment and be appreciative of that cause I mean, nothing is guaranteed,” McCollum added. “You get just kind of caught up with chasing the dream and it seemed like everything I did, it was never enough. So when it came time to name the record, that’s kind of where my mind was writing all those songs. I think it really fits the sequencing of the songs.”

Luckily, he’s had some incredible people to look up to throughout his life. Not only have they influenced his values and the way he carries himself, but they’ve also helped him to see life through a different perspective at times.  

This is represented in songs like, “Things I Never Told You,” which marks his only outside cut on the project, and “Lessons From An Old Man” which holds a great sentiment as it stems from the lessons he’s learned from the male role models in his life. 

“Really what it means for me is kind of a thank you in a way to all…I have so many great men in my family, my uncles, my dad, my brother, my cousins, both of my granddads, I’ve got one left.” McCollum said of the inspiration for “Lessons From An Old Man.” “Every one of them, for the most part, is old school. Up early at work, in the gym, you know, dress well, incredibly determined and ambitious. And they always come correct, always. I watch them, I study them, I watch them in public settings, I listen to what they say, the way they speak to people, and I try to emulate all those things and the way I carry myself and go about it.”

He continued, “So when we stumbled on this thing, this concept of ‘Lessons From An Old Man,’ I said, man, I got a million of those. I’ve got great role models that have taught me everything I know. So that was an easy one for me to, you know, bam, I’m in there. You got my full attention when you’re writing a song like that.”

McCollum has even found that no matter how much confidence he has in the songs he’s chosen for the collection, it can still be daunting once that finished product is out in the open, vulnerable to the opinions of others. 

“I’m so hard on myself with putting out records. It just takes so much outta me to write these songs sometimes, and putting another record out in the world today, country music’s just so different and the scene is so different. Everybody’s opinions are right there in your face every time you pick up your phone and everybody got something to say about it, you know, I really just like to put my record out and put my head down and get on the road and go to work and not pay any mind to no spotlight or anything like that, but that’s part of the game and gotta play the game.”

With production by Jon Randall, this set of songs only continues to showcase his ability to blend McCollum’s traditional Texas spirit with the ever-changing sound of country music.

While McCollum may find himself in the mix of booming talent, he has still found a way to stand out by drawing in his determined personality and leaning into the songs that truly represent who he is as an artist. 

“I really just try to be as honest and as genuine and as authentic as I can possibly be with my songwriting. And Jon Randall, who obviously, he’s not gonna produce anything bad. Everything he touches turns to gold. So, it’s kind of the perfect mixture, I think for just me personally and both of us being from Texas and kind of leaning into that a little bit.”

Leading up to the May 12 release, the Texas native teased the album on social media and set the tone by releasing “Speed,” “Tails I Lose,” “I Ain’t Going Nowhere,” “Stoned,” and his current single, “Handle On You.”

He recently earned an RIAA Gold certification for his alcohol-laced breakup tune, “Handle On You.” Additionally, the track reached No.1 on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart, following his previous chart-topping singles, “Pretty Heart” and “To Be Loved By You.”

The new project serves as a highly anticipated follow-up to McCollum’s breakout major label debut, Gold Chain Cowboy. 

In February, Parker McCollum launched his busy 2023 touring schedule with sold-out shows in Columbus, Detroit and Cincinnati. This summer, he is scheduled to perform at several country music festivals including Country Thunder, Tailgate N’ Tallboys, Barefoot Country Music Fest, and more.

In addition to headlining arenas and amphitheaters throughout 2023, the singer will also hit the road in support of Morgan Wallen and Eric Church on select dates. 

For tickets and a full list of tour dates, visit parkermccollum.com/tour.