Dakota Ray Parker turns a life of struggle to good country music
If most of us grew up the way Dakota Ray Parker did, we’d have given up a long time ago. But the resilient, friendly Parker navigated his way through a rough and tumble childhood to funnel those traumatic experiences into outstanding songs and singing in his music.
Parker joined us on Roots Music Rambler this week to talk about his turbulent upbringing, finding music was a natural escape to distract himself, then to writing and recording music that is now finding its way to a nice audience for the Kentucky native. His music is inspired by everything from Southern Gospel to 90s Country and even hip-hop. He told us his first musical dream was to be a rapper.
Parker released two albums in 2025 and continues to knock out singles every so often. His latest single “Clown” has already amassed 150,000 streams on Spotify thanks to his traditional sounding vocals and catchy lyricism. His new single “Freeborn Man” drops the day this episode does (Feb. 13).
We not only got to hear his story and how he approaches songwriting, but we’ll listen to snippets of four of his songs on the episode as well.
Frank and Falls also chat about Falls’s recent trip to the Grand Ole Opry and rant a little about people who talk at certain types of concerts. The two also have new Pickin’ The Grinnin’ choices for music recommendations this week. Frank points to multi-instrumentalist and frequent session and guest musician John Calvin Abney. Falls shouts out The Wildmans.
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Notes and links:
Dakota Ray Parker Online – https://dakotarayparker.com/
Dakota Ray Parker on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/44I6C6GMx2cMdPdPcO3W3U?si=LY43WXY1SI-fVVYXjJf24A
Dakota Ray Parker on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dakotarayparkermusic/
The Grand Ole Opry online – https://www.opry.com/
The Roots Music Rambler Store – https://rootsmusicrambler.com/store
Roots Music Rambler on YouTube – https://youtube.com/@rootsmusicrambler
Roots Music Rambler on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rootsmusicrambler/
Roots Music Rambler on TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@rootsmusicrambleon
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Jason Falls on Instagram – https://instagram.com/jasonfalls
Jason Falls on TikTok – https://tiktok.com/@thejasonfalls
Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/workmomtravels/
Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices
John Calvin Abney on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/42PLXAgaWKoItAoZifyAgN?si=I6mBY1fkS3e5CNjuy-uNGg
The Wildmans on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/2sc3hT3TpBoDcuLNgc5Lkw?si=8SUjRYVNS4OhLov-ZC8_wg
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Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 – Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association.
