Parker MacDonell

Parker MacDonell’s first live performance, at age five, was to serenade his fellow passengers on the Broadway Limited train between Lima and Youngstown, Ohio with “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”.  Now he sings his original songs and tells stories about his past in house concerts and club dates in Ohio and across the country.  

Parker cut his teeth in his twenties playing the Los Angeles club scene and college student unions.  He picked up a bushel of stories by playing bass for Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley during those years.  Parker returned to his native Ohio in the late 80’s for a career in banking and angel investing and can testify that music is a great avocation.

He has released four recordings: Miracle on Broad Street with Matt Munhall (2017), The Present Tense (2012), Looking For You (1985) and Home to the Heart (1983).  Parker was named “Best New Artist of the Year” in 1983 by the listeners of Pete Fornatale’s Mixed Bag show on New York City radio station WNEW.  He will release his new record, In My Years, in October 2026. It was produced by Craig Carothers.

He performs regularly in Columbus with Doug Morgan and Phil Maneri in an acoustic trio covering songs from the 60s and 70s.

When he’s not writing or performing, he helps entrepreneurs turn their ideas into great companies as Venture Partner for R1 Capital.

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The Present Tense [2012]

Recorded and mixed by Joe DiBlasi February – June 2012 at Top of the Hill Studios, Woodland Hills, California

Additional recording by Matt Steidle at Stylie Studios, Worthington, Ohio 

Mastered by John Vestman

Songs

  1. Get There (Parker MacDonell, Matt Munhall)

  2. Mississippi Lawyer (Jon Robbin, Gregg Caraway)

  3. Veteran’s Day (David Sheils, James Lum, Rand Bishop)

  4. The Present Tense (MacDonell, Jeff Dressler)

  5. Bethel Road (MacDonell)

  6. Prayers for My Father (MacDonell)

  7. Avalon (MacDonell)

  8. First Waltz (MacDonell)

  9. When I’m Gone (MacDonell, Munhall)

  10. Elvis Imitators (Steve Goodman, Michael Smith)

Sounds

  • Joe DiBlasi – lead guitar, mandolin, bass, percussion, organ, strings and woodwinds

  • Jim King – piano, keyboards and bass

  • David Sheils – background vocals (1, 4, 5)

  • Doug Morgan – background vocals (2)

  • Jim Cunningham – background vocals (2)

  • Parker MacDonell – vocals, guitars

Sights

  • Art Direction – Molly Tanner

  • Cover art – Linda Langhorst

  • Back cover photo – Steve Trank

All songs copyright 2012 by Fayer Forever Music (ASCAP) except Mississippi Lawyer (Zone on the Range, Robbin Zone Music and Red Boat Music); Get There and When I’m Gone (Fayerweather Hall Music and Guinea Pig Music); Veteran’s Day (Zone on the Range and Songs from the Finn Zone) and Elvis Imitators (Big Ears Music and Bird Avenue/Smith Publishing)

Thanks to David Sheils, Jim King, Joe DiBlasi, Doug Morgan and Jim Cunningham for making these songs come alive.  Thanks to Lisa DiBlasi, Tom & Annie Ruegger and especially David Sheils for hosting me during the sessions.  Thanks to Molly Tanner, Linda Langhorst and Steve Trank for making it look right.  Thanks to Matt Munhall and Jeff Dressler for writing the songs with me and to Tony Arata for giving me the skinny.  Thanks to Rand Bishop, Jon Robbin, Thom Schuyler and the Writer Zone Music crew for showing me how it’s done.  Thanks to Lindsey, Alec, Sandy, Martie, John Pfouts, Mike Johnson, Amy Miracle, David Sheils, Dave & Linda Berger, Monica Berger, and Ellen Jewett for inspiring the songs.

This CD is dedicated to my family, and especially to my father, Alexander D. MacDonell, Jr.

Contact Parker

Reach out to learn more about Parker’s recordings.