Peter Parcek

Parcek was born in Middletown, Connecticut, United States.[2] He first became enamored of blues music by listening to WVON in Chicago & WDIA in Memphis. He heard masters like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and others & became inspired to learn to play. His first instrument was purchased with Green Stamps. Parcek is self-taught & initially concentrated on blues harmonica. Parcek spent some time living in London, England.[3] The timing was fortuitous as the British blues boom was underway. Parcek was able to experience performers like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Peter Green.[4] .

Upon his return to the US Parcek sought out performances by living blues masters including Skip James, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Albert King, Albert Collins and Paul Butterfield among others. Parcek later stated "I would sit as close as possible so I could try to see what they were doing on the guitar. It was an amazing education." He relocated from Middletown to Boston, Massachusetts, and began to dedicate himself to the guitar practicing up to 10 hours a day.[2][3] In the 1990s, Parcek toured and recorded with Pinetop Perkins (On Top)[5]

In 2000, Parcek released his debut album, Evolution, on Lightnin' Records.[2] He was joined by guest appearances from Ronnie Earl and Al Kooper.[2] Parcek returned to his solo career in 2010, a decade after his solo debut with The Mathematics of Love, nominated by the Blues Foundation for Best New Artist Debut. (produced by Ted Drozdowski & engineered by Ducky Carlisle).[2] Al Kooper made his second appearance on a Parcek album, specifically on the instrumental reimagining of the Harlan Howard penned, "Busted."[6] Parcek described his music 'soul guitar', a fusion of blues and other roots styles.[2] He toured to promote the album and, the following year, released an EP of Bob Dylan compositions, Pledging My Time.[2]

His next release was Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven (2017) produced by drummer Marco Giovino & featuring a number of strong original compositions.[2] The album featured a raw sound & a stellar ensemble including Luther Dickinson, Mickey Raphael & Spooner Oldham among others. The album was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and Ducky Carlisle's studio north of Boston.[7] It made several best of lists that year.

Mississippi Suitcase was released on September 4, 2020, via Lightnin' Records. The album was nominated for a Blues Music Award, a Blues Blast Award as well as an Independent Blues Award. This collection was also recorded in Nashville and Boston, and comprised 11 tracks ( although only two of them were Parcek's originals). It was produced by Ducky Carlisle & Parcek. The musicians included Spooner Oldham and Tom West (keyboards); Luther Dickinson and Ted Drozdowski (guitar); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Marco Giovino and Tim Carman (drums); Dennis Crouch, Mark Hickox and Dominic Davis (bass guitar).[2][8] The album received significant air play & helped increase Parcek's visibility.

Parcek was nominated for 'Best New Artist' at the 2011 Blues Music Awards.[9]

Parcek has twice been successful at the New England Music Awards, winning 'Blues Artist of the Year' and 'Blues Audience Guitarist of the Year'.[2]

Premier Guitar choose Mississippi Suitcase as one of the best albums of 2020.[8]

In 2021, Parcek's album, Mississippi Suitcase was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the 'Blues Rock Album' category. The ceremony is due to take place on June 6, 2021.[10]

• Official website
• Discogs.com listing