Parker McCollum Is Picking Up ‘Speed’ As He Prepares For The Release Of His Forthcoming Album
“As you get a little further along in life you start to enjoy the slow and easy life,” McCollum shared.
Parker McCollum; Photo by Chris Kleinmeier
Despite what the title of his new song insinuates, Parker McCollum is pumping the breaks on his fast-paced life.
Co-written by McCollum with Ryan Beaver, “Speed” emphasizes the constantly moving routine that the country hitmaker has established in his career. Through his Texas-raised vocals, the singer/songwriter puts forth a stint of vulnerability as he articulates his plans to make a change and get his priorities straight.
“Hammer down, never stickin’ around, head harder than a tree / Foot on the gas, never lookin’ back and always ready to leave,” he shares in the brisk chorus. “I remember shakin’ my head when my old man told me / ‘Boy, one of these days, you won’t always be hung up on speed.’”
As he’s confessed in his previous releases, McCollum has had someone walk into his life who makes him want to reevaluate his perspective on things. That person is his beautiful wife, Hallie Ray Light.
She may have helped guide him to the simpler path, but it’s McCollum who is finding it in himself to stop and appreciate what’s in front of him before moving on to the next adventure.
“My song ‘Speed’ is about my obsession with living fast. Life is always going a hundred miles an hour and it’s important to try and be aware of that and slow things down every now and then. As you get a little further along in life you start to enjoy the slow and easy life. It takes a little reflection and a little step back from everything to realize how important it is.”
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Parker McCollum’s latest single marks yet another look into his next full-length project titled, Never Enough. In February, he took to social media to unveil several details surrounding his next set of work including the title and blue cover art with a vignette border.
While discussing the new music with American Songwriter, McCollum shared, “It’s the same ole’ me: heartbreak, love songs, and everything going terribly wrong…I’ve tried to write about love going right but, it’s not as fun.”
“When I was recording this album, I tried to throw in a couple of different things. I just didn’t want to be pigeonholed into a certain sound or certain style,” he continued. “I give them 10 or 12 songs of what they expect and then one or two that come out of left field.”
New Album On The Way
The forthcoming album, out everywhere on May 12, will follow his breakout major label debut, Gold Chain Cowboy. Along with his latest release, the new collection is set to feature Top 10-and-climbing lead single “Handle On You,” as well as recent releases “Stoned” and “I Ain’t Going Nowhere.”
Much like McCollum’s newest song, “I Ain’t Going Nowhere” serves as a tribute to his current chapter, which includes his rising career and his role as a husband.
“’I Ain’t Going Nowhere’ really is kind of a testament to where I’m at in my life right now,” McCollum stated in a press release. “I’ve spent so much time on the road and touring and living on a tour bus and in a van since I was basically a kid and never thought I would settle down or slow down at all. And not to say I’m really slowing down, but, certainly have settled down and found that person that makes it worth it when you have a place to come home to that is not a tour bus or a highway. That was kind of the idea we were going with behind ‘I Ain’t Going Nowhere’.”
2023 Tour
The multi-Platinum MCA Nashville singer-songwriter has already claimed fans’ approval on “Speed” by playing it during his sold-out live shows across the country.
In February, Parker McCollum kicked off his busy 2023 touring schedule with sold-out shows in Columbus, Detroit and Cincinnati. His headlining dates are stacked with an impressive group of rising County artists including Corey Kent, Catie Offerman, Larry Fleet, Jackson Dean, Flatland Cavalry, and Texas staple, the Randy Rogers Band.
Additionally, he is slated to perform at some of country music’s high-profile festivals including Stagecoach, Country Thunder, and iHeartCountry Festival before hitting the road in support of Morgan Wallen and Eric Church later this year.
Co-produced by Live Nation and Emporium Presents, his tour will feature a setlist with some of McCollum’s biggest hits including No. 1 songs, “To Be Loved By You” and “Pretty Heart,” plus current chart-climbing single, “Handle On You.”
Written by
Madeleine O’Connell
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.