Randy Rogers Reflects On Long-Standing Friendship With Parker McCollum: ‘I View Him As My Little Brother’

Things have come full circle for Randy Rogers Band and rising superstar Parker McCollum. Over a decade ago, Rogers took his fellow Texas native under his wing, guiding him through the ins and outs of the music industry. This year, the artists are back on the road together, with the Randy Rogers Band not only supporting McCollum but also collaborating as co-writers on their latest single, “Break Itself” and sharing harmonies on the band’s new release, “Is This Thing Workin’.”

Sitting down with Country Now, Rogers reflected on his history with McCollum, discussing when their friendship began and how much pride he feels watching the country act evolve as an artist. It all started about 10 years ago when the “What Kinda Man” singer was just a budding artist trying to get his name in front of fans and started opening for the Randy Rogers Band.

“I had just started a management company with my partner, and we started managing Parker and we started putting him on shows,” Rogers explained. “And I’m not saying that I’m a brilliant mind, but I think that he looked up to some of the things that I had to say and some of the s**t that I had been through in the industry.”

As McCollum’s career started to grow, he had questions regarding record deals, publishing deals, life on the road, etc, and Rogers, who was well-versed in all of the above topics, was ready to lend a helping hand.

“I come in handy, I think, at times when some questions arise about lawyers and about deals and everything that can’t be scary about the industry and scary about Nashville. And so I was his guy for that. So our friendship is very deep and I view him as my little brother and somebody that I care about for besides the music industry,” Rogers expressed.

Seeing how hard McCollum was willing to work to make his dreams come true struck a chord with Rogers. Now, all these years later he admits he is loving getting to sit back and watch the rising country star thrive in his career.

“Parker worked so hard, and it was so easy to guide his path for him until he flew away. So yeah, I mean watching his success and watching what the shows turned into and the songs that he’s recorded and this new record that he has in the can is so good. And just being able to watch from the sidelines and be really happy for somebody and genuinely be happy for them is very fulfilling.”

The Artists Unite For “Is This Thing Workin’”

Rogers and McCollum have often found themselves in writing sessions and on the road together over the years. They recently teamed up to write the band’s latest single, “Break Itself,” and also served as co-writers on McCollum’s next album. Plus, the artists finally teamed up for their first-ever collaboration.

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Out now, Randy Rogers Band’s newest release, “Is This Thing Workin’,” acts as a late-night, whiskey-soaked confessional that blends vulnerability with emotional chaos. Listeners are immersed in a wave of gritty harmonies as the country acts come together to sing from the perspective of someone who’s had one too many drinks – wrestling with heartache and questioning if anyone’s truly listening.

“Is this thing workin’/ Is this thing on/ I’ve been drinkin’ all day long/ Am I cuttin’ through your atmosphere/ Am I comin’ through loud and clear/ Who the hell gave me a microphone/ Is this thing workin’,” Rogers sings through the static and electric guitar riffs, before trading the remaining lyrics with his fellow singer/songwriter.

The legendary Texas group will also join Parker McCollum on his 2025 headlining tour, beginning this July.

The group also has plenty of their own shows scheduled throughout the year, where they will showcase their new musical chapter and all the upcoming releases in the works.