The Mendocino College Recording Artist-in-Residence program brings in professional musicians who share their knowledge and skills through performances, workshops, and class presentations. "This is a unique opportunity for students to hear and see first hand from recording artists real-life knowledge which can help them succeeded in music," states Gaither Loewenstein, Dean of Instruction and the originator of the program.

Students enrolled in various Spring 2000 Semester music classes will have Gene Parsons as a guest speaker April 30 through May 4, 2000. Those classes include Guitar - Beginning I (MUS 222), Guitar - Beginning II (MUS 223), Vocal Music (MUS 230), Music Appreciation (MUS 207), Music Theory/Harmony I (MUS 201), Recording Studio Techniques 1 (MUS 110), and Performance Techniques for Studio Recording (MUS 55). Open class registration begins December 20, 1999. For more information please call 468-3102.

The free Gene Parsons Workshop will be held May 2, 2000, in the Digital Recording Studio, Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Mendocino College, 1000 Hensley Creek Road in Ukiah. For more information please call Tel: 468-3016.

The Gene Parsons Concert is scheduled for May 3, 2000, 8:00 PM, in the Center Theatre, Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah. Tickets are $16. For more information, please call 468-3016.

Gene Parsons grew up on the family homestead in the Mojave Desert, learning to play the banjo in a cavernous, old, empty water tank and working in his dad's machine shop. He is a talented musician, multi-instrumentalist, sing/songwriter, recording artist as well as an inventor, master machinist, steam enthusiast and motorcycle mechanic.

Parsons joined the Byrds in 1968 and helped the immensely popular hit-making band become legendary live performers. Parsons recorded five albums with the Byrds on which he played drums, banjo, guitar, pedal steel, harmonica, and sang. He has also recorded with many other artists including Arlo Guthrie, Randy Newman, the Everly Brothers, and the Rolling Stones.

In 1983 Parsons left the Byrds to record his own album, entitled "Kindling" with Warner Brothers. He joined the Flying Burrito Brothers for a time, touring and recording two albums. In 1986 he wooed and wed silver-voiced singer/songwriter Meridian Green. They have performed throughout the US and Europe both as a duo and full band. Parsons' newest patented guitar accessories are the Fender Nashville Special B-Bender and the new Acoustic StringBender. His web site is www.stringbender.com.

Created: October 23, 2001 @ 12:00 AM
Last Modified: August 17, 2005 @ 06:36 PM