- Squire Parsons
Infobox musical artist
Name = Squire Parsons
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Squire Enos Parsons, Jr.
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Born =April 4 1948 (age 60)
Died =
Origin =Newton, West Virginia , U.S.
Instrument =Vocals Piano
Genre =Southern gospel
Occupation =Singer-songwriter ,Pianist
Years_active =1974 - Present
Label =
Associated_acts = Bill GaitherThe Kingsmen Quartet
URL = [http://www.squireparsons.com/ SquireParsons.com]
Notable_instruments =Squire Parsons, Jr. (born
1948 ) is aSouthern Gospel singer and songwriter. Parsons was born onApril 4 1948 inNewton, West Virginia to Squire and Maysel Parsons,cite web |url=http://music.yahoo.com/ar-29113520-bio--Squire-Parsons |title=Squire Parsons: Biography |last=Carpenter |first=Bill |publisher=Yahoo Music Guide |accessdate=2007-05-05] 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 usingshaped notes .cite web|url= http://www.squireparsons.com/biography_squire.asp|title = Biography|publisher= www.squireparsons.com|accessdate=2007-05-05]Musical career
In 1970, Parsons earned a
Bachelor of Science in music fromWest Virginia Tech where he was trained on thepiano andbassoon .Following graduation, he accepted a teaching position at Hannah High School inMason County, West Virginia and served as music directors of various churches. [ [http://sogospelnews.com/index/features/comments/5330/ “Bassonist Turns Baritone”] . Southern Gospel News. Retrieved May 5, 2007] .During this period he wrote "
Sweet Beulah Land " which has become his signature song.He joined the
Kingsmen Quartet as abaritone in 1975 and toured with them for four years before embarking on a solo career. [ Bil Carpenter. [http://music.yahoo.com/ar-29113520-bio--Squire-Parsons “Squire Parsons: Biography”]Yahoo Music Guide. Retrieved May 5, 2007. ]In 1979, Squire Parsons was ordained as a minister at Trinity Baptist Church in
Asheville, North Carolina . [ [http://www.squireparsons.com/biography_squire.asp “Biography”] www.squireparsons.com. RetrievedMay 5 ,2007 ] He has written over 800 Southern Gospel songs, with nearly 500 being published and recorded. [ [http://sogospelnews.com/index/features/comments/5330/ “Bassonist Turns Baritone”] . Southern Gospel News. Retrieved May 5, 2007]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. [ [http://www.squireparsons.com/biography_squire.asp Biography] wwww.squireparsons.com. RetrievedMay 9 ,2007 ]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 , The Sugar Creek Quartet, among others. [Squire Parsons. "The Songs of the Millennial Collection". Leicester, North Carolina: Beulah Music Company, 2001. p. 2]Awards
Squire parsons was nominated for a
Dove Award in 1999 for contributing to tribute album toDottie 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. [ [http://www.squireparsons.com/biography_squire.asp “Biography”] www.squireparsons.com. Retrieved
May 5 ,2007 ]elected 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)References
External links
* [http://www.squireparsons.com Official Website]
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