Parson James

Parson James
Origin Cheraw, South Carolina
Genres Pop, Electronic
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • model
Instruments Vocals
Labels RCA[1]
Associated acts Kygo, Audien
Website Official Website

Parson James is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for his single "Stole the Show", a collaboration with Norwegian producer Kygo. The song became a hit in a number of countries as well as receiving certifications in Italy, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. He has collaborated with various artists including on the song "Insomnia" by Audien. On 5 February 2016, he released his extended play release The Temple EP on Sony Music with a full studio album due later in the year on RCA Records.

Biography

James was born as, Anthony Parson, of an interracial relationship with his father being black and his mother white. His mother, just 16, was kicked out of her parents' house because of the relationship. He and his single mother faced hardship in Cheraw, South Carolina, where he was born and raised and where he grew up singing hymns in church.[2] At 17, he decided to move to New York City, partly because he wanted wider possibilities than his conservative hometown would offer to a bi-racial and gay young man.[3]

He signed with RCA Records in early 2015 after the release of his first single, "Stole the Show", a collaboration he co-wrote with Kygo.[4] The song became a hit in a number of countries[2] as well as receiving certifications in Italy, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. The video to the song was released at the YouTube Music Awards, with the duo also performing a cover of Tove Lo's single "Habits" on BBC One's Live Lounge.[5]

Parson followed-up with his solo debut, "Sinner Like You", a song produced by Elof Loelv.[6][7] In addition to releasing his own music under RCA, he has collaborated with additional artists including on the song "Insomnia" by Audien.[8]

On 5 February 2016, he released his extended play release The Temple EP on Sony Music with a full studio album due later in the year on RCA Records. The EP included the title track "Temple", plus "Slow Dance with the Devil", "Sinner Like You", his great hit "Stole the Show" and finally "Waiting Game". James also appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers performing "Temple" from the EP after having been featured with Kygo in February 2016, performing "Stole the Show" live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon alongside Kygo. The track "Waiting Game" from The Temple EP got huge exposure when Trent Harmon, a contestant in season 15, the last season of the American Idol performed it after a suggestion by judge and mentor Keith Urban.[9] In April 2016, James was featured on the cover and in the pages of Hello Mr.,[10] and in November 2016 was picked as "Artist of the Month" by Elvis Duran performing his single "Sad Song" during the NBC's Today show with Kathie Lee and Hoda Kotb.

Discography

EPs

Title Details Track list Peak chart position
US Heat
[11]
The Temple EP
  • Released: 5 February 2016
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Format: Digital download
  1. "Temple" (4:09)
  2. "Slow Dance with the Devil" (3:27)
  3. "Sinner Like You" (3:50)
  4. "Stole the Show" (3:51)
  5. "Waiting Game" (3:52)
20

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album or EP
US US Dance
"Religion" 2014 - - Non-album single
"Sinner Like You" 2015 - - The Temple EP
"Stole the Show"
(Solo version)
- -
"Temple" - -
"Sad Song" 2016 - - Non-album single
List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications
NOR
[12]
AUS
[13]
AUT
[14]
FRA
[15]
GER
NLD
[16]
NZ
[17]
SWE
[18]
SWI
[19]
UK
US
Dance

"Stole the Show"
(with Kygo)
2015 1 53 2 1 2 3 4 1 3 24 11
  • IFPI NOR: 3× Platinum
  • BPI: Silver
"Insomnia"
(with Audien)
- - - - - - - - - - 32

References

  1. Peters, Mitchell (7 May 2015). "New Signings: Elektra Signs Royal Teeth, Brett Eldredge Joins WME, Downtown Nabs RJD2". Billboard. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  2. 1 2 Stern, Bradley (23 June 2015). "Popcrush Presents: Parson James". Pop Crush. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  3. Andre Wheeler (29 February 2016). "Meet Rising LGBT Singer Parson James". Out.com. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  4. Cooper, Duncan (20 August 2015). "The Original Version of Kygo's 'Stole The Show' Slays Too". The Fader. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  5. Middleton, Ryan (5 May 2015). "Kygo, Parson James Cover Tove Lo 'Habits' in BBC1 Live Lounge". Music Times. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  6. "Listen to Parson James' superb debut solo single Sinner Like You". Chart Shaker. 26 July 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  7. Wass, Mike (24 April 2015). "Parson James Signs With RCA Records: Check Out His Kygo Collaboration 'Stole the Show'". Idolator. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  8. Vain, Madison (1 July 2015). "Audien's Lady Antebellumcollaboration 'Something Better' is everything you need to feel good today". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  9. Broadway World: Parson James's 'Waiting Game' Featured on American Idol
  10. Lee, Peter Ash. "5 Things We Learned About Southern Singer Parson James from Hello Mr.". OUT. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  11. Parson James - Chart History | Billboard
  12. "Parson James discography". norwegiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  13. "Parson James discography". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  14. "Parson James discography". austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  15. "Parson James discography". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  16. "Parson James discography". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  17. "Parson James discography". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  18. "Parson James discography". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  19. "Parson James discography". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2016.


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