Bob Parr and the Music History here in Denton

In episode 5 of UnTalk Nneoma Mgboji sits down with Bob Parr, a musician, producer, and founder of Savannah Street Studio here in Denton. Parr started his career as a producer creating music and beats. At 14 years old Parr realized he had a passion for creating music, especially playing piano and bass. Parr recalls asking his mother “What is a career where they can play music all day and record for other people?” His mother giggled as she replied “being a studio musician.” While Parr knew he wanted to go into a field where he could be creative his father was hesitant to support the career. Parr’s father was an ex-circus performer and believed that the entertainment   business was dirty. His mother who was more supportive of Parr’s passion was a big band singer and even toured with her band. 

Parr’s first stepping stone was playing ensemble at his highschool in Florida. When he graduated he went to Berkeley college of music and then to the University of North Texas studying string instruments concentrating on bass. 

Building a disciple for Parr was important and recalls practicing 8 to 10 hours a day as a senior in college. “Honestly, integrity, passion, discipline, learning and never giving up,” are key practices to follow that Parr credits to his success. Parr who also works with younger artists sees them be discouraged by failure in their art and wants them and others to know that he too is no stranger to failure. Parr claims that for every success he has experienced many more failures. Typical to the music and film industry experience but Parr would agree it is a vital part to the growing process of any musician.

Passion is the biggest motivator for Parr and what he feels should be other musicians greatest motivator. Parr states that money and fame can not be their first concern but would be willing to be an artist regardless of the “reward” they may gain from their work. 

Education can bring a community of emotional family and friends that enhances the learning and discipline of the music industry that can have very positive benefits. While education is important to Parr, he agrees that if someone is a self motivated person that knows how and what they need to study then a personal non-educated route to getting into the industry could be a good option. College is expensive and for musicians in our day and age it is harder to land gigs and good paying gigs. Parr recalls being paid 100 to 150 dollars for first signing to a gig but now sees that the rates would be up to only 25 dollars.  

Part of the cost of being a musician and the rates dropping is owed to the creation of his studio Savannah Street Studio which is a Full-service studio offering  mixing, mastering, re-mixing, tracking in Denton, Texas.

Over the years Parr had accumulated a quantable amount of equipment and when he moved to New York from Nashville did he realize he needed a way to store them. Parr had a room built in Argyle but due to unfortunate circumstances needed to move the studio. That's when Parr came across a home which he now uses as  Savannah Street Studio. In Denton, getting a license for owning a building which has a studio in it means the person needs to live in it. Which is exactly what Parr has done. “A studio disguises as a house.” One equipment piece that Parr owns and was the first to play from in the United States was a Kurzweil K250 which could be read by the blind. 

Parr started his successful career by living in a 2 bedroom apartment on Oak Street paying 135 dollars a month, going to school and having one job playing with a band. The band eventually opened up doors for him to play with the famous American singer and actress Cher on her tour. Parr remembers being starstruck and amazed at the opportunity after landing the gig in L.A. with his band.

Programming, composing and arranging music are some of Parr’s versatile talents which he has gained over the years working for several writers and producers. Parr explains how in the 80’s a studio had a person set for each individual task and were paid handsomely individual wages for their roles. As time has progressed there's a need for more versatile producers requiring for the musicians of this time to know how to do all of them. 

Jazz is a major part of UNT but in the Denton area the jazz scene is not so popular. Parr claims this could be due to a lack of emphasis on cost of study and lack of emphasis on being able to read music.  

Parr gives young and aspiring musicians and producers a recommendation to start with writing and working their voice. That while an artist may not have been satisfied with their work that day it is only a photograph of the day and not all that they can accomplish. Parr’s late wife who passed away 3 years ago worked on the business side of the record industry as a record promoter. She worked with all kinds of talent from Taylor Swift to Guns and Roses. Parr recalls walking into these meetings and the promoters speaking of the singers “as if they were widgets.” Parr tells those who want to be in the industry to stay focused on their art and continue improving. For the youth to not get faint of heart when someone doesn't believe in all that they can accomplish.

What is great about the time we live in with art growing and evolving is that anyone, even an 8- year old writing and singing can publish music and can be streamed by anyone around the world. Parr wants anyone that is getting into the music industry to know that there is a vast amount of choices for them. While they may fail it only means they are a step closer to  success.