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Rudy Parris

Rudy Parris (born December 16, 1965) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from California's San Joaquin Valley. He gained national recognition as a contestant on NBC’s The Voice (Season 3)[1] and is known for his work in country, blues, rock, and American roots music, particularly within the Bakersfield sound tradition.

Early life

Parris was born and raised in Central California. He began studying violin in elementary school before transitioning to guitar during his middle school years. By his late teens, he was performing regularly at venues throughout Tulare County and the greater Central Valley.

Career

Early career

In the early 2000s, Parris toured as lead guitarist for Hank Williams III in 2003. He later became a regular performer at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, appearing in multiple shows alongside Owens and participating in several Buck Owens Birthday Concerts. Over the years, he shared the Crystal Palace stage with artists including Dwight Yoakam, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lee Roy Parnell, Tracy Byrd, J.D. Maness, Jim Lauderdale, The Buckaroos, Monty Byrom, and others.

The Voice

Parris gained national exposure as a contestant on Season 3 of The Voice in 2012. During the blind auditions, he performed a country-influenced version of “Every Breath You Take,” prompting coaches CeeLo Green and Blake Shelton to turn their chairs. Parris selected Shelton as his coach. He later performed “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter and appeared in the live finale performing “Rock and Roll All Nite” by Kiss.

Recordings of his performances, including “Bad Day (The Voice Performance)” and “Every Breath You Take (The Voice Performance),” were digitally released in 2012.

Recording and collaborations

Following The Voice, Parris performed at the Jason Becker Not Dead Yet Concert in 2013 alongside musicians including Uli Jon Roth, Steve Morse, Richie Kotzen, and Gus G. He later recorded the album Makin’ My Way at Capitol Records’ Studio B in Hollywood. The album featured collaborations with musicians including Pete Anderson, Wanda Vick, Eddie Long, Wes Hightower, Pat Vegas, Little Joe, Hank Williams III, Chad Smith, and actor Michael Madsen.

Parris was involved in the blues music scene and performed on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, sharing stages with artists such as Bobby “Blue” Bland, Taj Mahal, Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Buckwheat Zydeco, and others. He also opened for or performed alongside blues artists including Tommy Castro, Magic Dick, Deanna Bogart, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Tab Benoit, Guitar Shorty, Candye Kane, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, Chris Cain, Coco Montoya, Buddy Miles, Joe Louis Walker, and Bo Diddley.

Later work

In 2019, Parris was asked to serve as lead singer for The Buckaroos, the band founded by Buck Owens, with performances scheduled at the Crystal Palace. Engagements planned for 2020 were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parris later contributed to a collaborative tribute recording of “Kern River Blues,” a song written by Merle Haggard, released in 2024. The recording featured contributions from multiple artists including Monty Byrom, Norm Hamlet, Jim Ranger, Amy Adams, Gregory Porter, and Rudy Parris.

Discography

Albums

  • Makin’ My Way (2016) — co-producer; songwriter (all tracks); guitar; bass

Singles

  • “Bad Day (The Voice Performance)” (2012)
  • “Every Breath You Take (The Voice Performance)” (2012)
  • “Kern River Blues” — Merle Haggard (2024)

Filmography

  • Death Rattle Texas Ice — actor

Influences

Parris has cited Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, B.B. King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan as musical influences.

References

  1. ^ "Visalia native and The Voice alumnus Rudy Parris becomes new frontman for Buckaroos". The Sun-Gazette. February 13, 2019. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021.

Sources

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