Squire Parsons
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Squire Parsons | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Squire Enos Parsons, Jr. |
| Born | April 4, 1948 (age 60) |
| Origin | Newton, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Southern gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, Pianist |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals Piano |
| Years active | 1974 - Present |
| Associated acts | Bill Gaither The Kingsmen Quartet |
| Website | SquireParsons.com |
Squire Parsons, Jr. (b. 1948) is a Southern Gospel singer and songwriter. Parsons was born on April 4 1948 in Newton, West Virginia to Squire and Maysel Parsons,[1] and was introduced to music by his father, who was a choir director and deacon at Newton Baptist Church. Squire's dad taught him to sing using shaped notes.[2]
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[edit] Musical Career
In 1970, Parsons earned a Bachelor of Science in music from West Virginia Institute of Technology where he was trained on the piano and bassoon.[2]Following graduation, he accepted a teaching position at Hannah High School in Mason County, West Virginia and served as music directors of various churches.[3].
During this period he wrote "Sweet Beulah Land" which has become his signature song.
He joined the Kingsmen Quartet as a baritone in 1975 and toured with them for four years before embarking on a solo career. [4]
In 1979, Squire Parsons was ordained as a minister at Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina.[5] He has written over 800 Southern Gospel songs, with nearly 500 being published and recorded.[6]
Among his most popular titles is "The Master of the Sea," "Walk On", "He Came to Me," "I Call it Home," "I Sing Because," and "I'm Not Giving Up."
He appeared in the Little Rock Crusade with Billy Graham and performed with the Gaither Homecoming Choir.
He currently performs as the lead singer of The Squire Parsons Trio, and lives in Leicester, North Carolina with his wife Linda. [7]
His songs have been recorded by Brian Free, Gaither Vocal Band, Gold City, Ivan Parker, Kingdom Heirs, the Blackwood Brothers, The Cathedrals, The Florida Boys, The Greenes, The Hoppers, The Kingsmen Quartet, The Statesmen, among others.[8]
[edit] Awards
Squire parsons was nominated for a Dove Award in 1999 for contributing to tribute album to Dottie Rambo.
He has won the Singing News Fan Award for favorite male singer in 1988. He won a Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Songwriter in 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995. He won the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Baritone in 1986 and 1987.
"Sweet Beulah Land" won the Singing News Fan Awards for song of the year in 1981.
He has also been awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater. [9]
[edit] Selected Discography
- Heavenly Country (1990)
- Christmas At Calvary: Christmas With Squire Parsons (1991)
- One Voice in the Wilderness (1992)
- High Country (1993)
- The Horizon Collection: Volume I (1993)
- 20 Favorites (1995)
- Dancing Shoes (1995)
- Come Let Us Worship
- He Found Me (1999)
- Silver Anniversary Collection (1999)
- Southern Gospel Soloists (1999)
- We Shall Get Home (2000)
[edit] References
- ^ Carpenter, Bill. Squire Parsons: Biography. Yahoo Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
- ^ a b Biography. www.squireparsons.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
- ^ “Bassonist Turns Baritone”. Southern Gospel News. Retrieved May 5, 2007
- ^ Bil Carpenter. “Squire Parsons: Biography” Yahoo Music Guide. Retrieved May 5, 2007.
- ^ “Biography” www.squireparsons.com. Retrieved May 5, 2007
- ^ “Bassonist Turns Baritone”. Southern Gospel News. Retrieved May 5, 2007
- ^ Biography wwww.squireparsons.com. Retrieved May 9, 2007
- ^ Squire Parsons. The Songs of the Millennial Collection. Leicester, North Carolina: Beulah Music Company, 2001. p. 2
- ^ “Biography” www.squireparsons.com. Retrieved May 5, 2007
