Parker McCollum Reflects On His First Sober Songwriting Experience and Reveals Why He Won’t Write ‘Dad Songs’

The Texas native discusses his first experience writing music sober.

By

Madeleine O’Connell

| Posted on

July 16, 2024

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10:47 am

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Parker McCollum; Photo by Chris Kleinmeier

Parker McCollum has written many songs from his catalog while under the influence, but a few years ago, he had a revelation when he wrote his first song completely sober. 

The track was “Rest of My life” off his 2021 Gold Chain Cowboy album. He admitted to Audacy’s Scott Kay that at the time, he was struggling to churn out songs that he felt good about, but one day, he woke up and was inspired to pen this powerful tune. The entire track came to him in just a few minutes.

“COVID was crazy for me. I had my first number one climb the charts and go number one platinum and we didn’t play a show the entire time. I know it was a wild time for everybody, but it was an interesting time for me. I was kind of putting myself through the ringer trying to write songs and it just wasn’t working. Then so I woke up one morning and dead sober and wrote ‘Rest of My life’ in just a few minutes,” he recalled.

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The song quickly became a fan-favorite for its soul-bearing narrative, but regardless of whether it was successful or not, McCollum says he knew it would always be special to him as he was proud of the fact that his creativity sparked in a moment of sobriety, something he wasn’t used to before that moment. 

“That’s like the prime example of the kind of songs I’ve always tried to write. So that one’s been very special to me,” he added.

Parker McCollum; Photo by Jim Wright
Parker McCollum; Photo by Jim Wright

Does Parker McCollum Plan To Write Dad Songs? 

The Texas native went on to say that his next album is already in the works, however, he is “starting from square one” and slowly building out the new music for fans. 

Being that he and his wife, Hallie Ray Light, are getting closer and closer to the arrival of their first child in August, Scott Kay jumped on the chance to ask whether or not his next set of music will reflect this chapter of their lives. Many of his fellow country stars like Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs, and Jordan Davis have already released a slew of dad songs since becoming a parent, but McCollum insists he will not be joining this trend. 

“No dad songs for me…I don’t want to write cliche dad songs. If it’s something that really stands out and is well-written and really honest and special, then I would cut it. But I don’t think I’ll sit down and try to write dad songs any time soon,” he shared honestly.

Hallie Ray Light, Parker McCollum; Photo by Gilbert Flores, ACM
Hallie Ray Light, Parker McCollum; Photo by Gilbert Flores, ACM

Finding Balance Between Work And Family

Even though dad songs may not be in his future, the country singer is still determined to keep writing and readying his next project while also preparing to welcome his first son. He assured that when parenting duties officially kick in, he will continue to strive to make his shows “extremely genuine and energetic.”

“I want to make sure when these people go home, they feel like the money they spent or the money they saved up to come see you was worth every penny — that’s what I think about every night.”

Following his recent appearance at Chicago’s Windy City Smokeout, Parker McCollum is back on the road and continuing his Burn It Down Tour 2024. His next shows will take place this weekend with stops in Brandon, MS on July 18 and Orange Beach, AL on July 19. 

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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.