ALAN PARRISH

Al Parrish grew up singing in choir and playing in the high school band. Later, he played in many bands, in many genres. In 1989, Al entered the world of folk/roots music; he and three friends created Brean Derg Muc, a Toronto-based, pseudo-Irish group that took the Ontario festival scene by storm during two years of brilliant success.

Over the next couple of years, Al freelanced in Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick with The Barnstormers, Strachan’s Cove, Sister Whiskey, October Browne, Kirk Elliot, Aaron Solomon, Dave MacIsaac, Jamie Snider and many others.

In 1994, Al joined legendary Canadian roots icons Tanglefoot, beginning a 17-year career of touring across Canada, the US, and the UK. The band was awarded the Crossroads Band of the Year (2000), Best of Bound for Glory (2003) and, at the 2007 CFMA, Best Vocal Group. In December 2009, Tanglefoot played its final shows and disbanded.

Al began playing solo in May 2010 with shows around Ontario and in Maritime Canada. In January 2011, he played a sold-out, solo concert at the Registry Theatre in Kitchener, Ontario. Legendary producer Paul Mills recorded that show on the Millstream Studio’s mobile, multi-track rig. From this, he and Al produced Propensity for Joy, Al’s first solo CD.

During this same time, Al has been working freelance with former band mates Steve and Rob Ritchie, and My Sweet Patootie. He has also performed with Tom Leighton, Anne Lederman, Connie Kaldor, Coole Park, Pitch ‘n’ Timber, and The Dory Bungholes.

Al is currently in the studio working on another solo CD. When he is not playing music, he has been doing commercial voice-over for clients such as Petro-Canada, Nokia, and Insano Productions. He is also writing a memoire and a novel.