Daily Inspiration: Meet Mark Parsell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Parsell.

Mark, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up outside of Flint, Michigan where my father was a Buick Dealer and promoter. Most of my early years were spent around TV and Radio Stations where the love of “showbiz” was instilled in me.

A career move brought me to Memphis in 2001 to work for WMC-TV. A highlight at WMC was the production of “Countdown on Beale” from 2003 to 2006. This was a 90-minute New Years’ Live Broadcast that at midnight of 2004 tripled the household ratings of Dick Clark’s New Years’ Rocking Eve.

Briefly moved to Nashville to work at WSMV where I got involved in the music scene in 2010. One of the many characters I met was Billy Block who had the longest-running live music show in town. Billy also fostered the Americana movement and many of the stars of today played his stage.

Also took part in a large Flood benefit at the TV Station where I met many popular acts who had volunteered their time on the show. Upon moving back to Memphis in 2011, I took on the role of Music Director at The Memphis Farmers Market. Over the course of the next decade, we had Ashley McBryde, Valerie June, Amy LaVere, Grace Askew, Karen Waldrup, and much more grace our Pavillion.

In 2015 after Billy said “go for it, you will be a tremendous success”, we opened our songwriter room, “South Main Sounds” and have hosted hundreds of shows with acts locally or routing through from 35+ states, Canada and Europe.

My personal journey has been much like the songs our musicians write: Striking out on your own and trying to create something meaningful. The ups and downs of a promoter’s existence are tough at times but wouldn’t have it any other way. I have a wonderful daughter, two grandkids, and one more on the way, who resides in Dallas.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My childhood outside of Flint, Michigan was quite idyllic, if you can imagine that. It was a great place to grow up and I thought it would always be that way. Leaving home for college at SMU in Dallas was a challenge as was starting a career in Advertising and later TV sales and production.

My move to Memphis was a bold one that has seen many incarnations of myself over the last 20 years. I’ve had help from many folks along the way, most notably, my producer, Brad Matherne who takes my/our ideas and makes them a reality.

The media has always been kind to us and our South Main/Downtown Memphis Neighbors have been very supportive. I must also mention my co-host and sidekick, Amber Rae Dunn. She is an aspiring country artist and also serves as my Vice-President on the Memphis Songwriters Association Board. Many more folks played vital roles in what we do as well.

Through road closures, hotel construction, utility issues, pandemic restrictions, and the challenges of hosting live music and being an advocate for musicians, we keep moving forward.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the core, I am a promoter.

Whether it was a new client who’d never been on TV, a commercial that was dreamed up in my head, or an entire 90-minute New Years’ Eve Special, the thrill has always been in creation. I consider myself a connector of dots as well… putting the right people together in the right places to achieve the outcome that I envisioned.

I’m proud that we’ve been able to touch the lives of so many artists and help them along the way. For my decades of service to the community my Monikor has become “Mayor of South Main” and that means we’ve done some good, hopefully.

We book at several venues, mostly our own and the thrill of creation happens every time a new show is announced, promoted, and executed. When the room fills up with happy, appreciative, music lovers, I’m able to sit back and smile, because that’s the best thing in the world for me.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We welcome musicians from anywhere and any genre to contact us when routing through.

We love new sponsors and welcome input on new ideas. You can find us on any of our social media pages, via email, or feel free to stop by if you’re in the area as well.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: southmainsounds.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southmainsounds/
• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Southmainsoundsmemphis
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/markpsrsell
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC684JeJj72N8i8VNJ0PbuqA

Image Credits
Danny Day, Brad Matherne, and Mark Parsell