Parker McCollum’s New Album Is From A ‘Very Real Place’

Parker McCollum released his second major album, Never Enough, on Friday (5/12). Parker talked about the new album and the songs on it with us just weeks before its release.

McCollum told us, "What I do best is write songs from a very real place and sing country music, but also be very 'me' and not try to sound like someone else." He added, "We definitely did that on this record, and every one of the 15 songs sounds different."

Parker said, "This town can eat you alive, the music business can eat you alive, with artists trying to remain relevant and have hit songs. That's something I never cared about when I'm writing or making a record. I'm never thinking about singles. I'm trying to just write songs that can potentially stand the test of time. That's the sole purpose of writing songs for me."

McCollum recently told us about celebrating his first wedding anniversary with his wife, Hallie Ray. He said, "I know how to push her buttons pretty well, and sometimes I do it just to do it because she's such a calm, consistent, emotionally stable person. I mean, she is the same person every single day. Unbelievably pleasant to be around, unbelievably easy to be around, and is like that all the time."

Park also acknowledged that the time is nearing for him and his wife to start having a family of their own. He said, "You know, it's knocking on my door, and sometimes I think about it, and at some point during the day, it would kind of cross my mind, and I will look in the back seat, and there's gonna be a damn car seat back there if I'm not careful."

He added, "I have a great dad and great grandparents, and I have nieces and nephews now, and I look forward to that on my own for sure. But then sometimes, when I'm going to the airport or something, I'm like, 'Hell no. There's no way I can't do that right now.' But we wouldn't be surprised if that happened soon."

Parker McCollum released a new song today (3/10) from his forthcoming studio album, Never Enough. The new song is called "Speed."

Parker said of the song in a statement, "My song 'Speed' is about my obsession with living fast. Life is always going a hundred miles an hour, and it's important to try and be aware of that and slow things down every now and then."

He adds, "As you get a little further along in life, you start to enjoy the slow and easy life. It takes a little reflection and a little step back from everything to realize how important it is."

Never Enough will be released everywhere on May 12, 2023, and will also feature the lead single "Handle On You," as well as recent releases "Stoned" and "I Ain't Going Nowhere." Fans can pre-order Never Enough on CD and vinyl, with a special signed white vinyl and signed CD exclusively available at ParkerMcCollum.com.

Earlier this week, McCollum participated in the Country Music Hall of Fame's American Currents: State of Music exhibition. The exhibit highlighted the country music landscape over the past year. The exhibit explores musical developments, artist achievements, and notable events determined by the Museum's curators and editorial staff.

Featured artists of the exhibit include McCollum, Wynonna Judd, Elvis Presley, Luke Combs, HARDY, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis, and more. It is open to the public now through February 2024.

As his country music career continues to rise, we look at his last few years in country music.