Pop Culturalist Chats with Parker Layton

Parker Layton is blazing a trail on the road less traveled. A fresh face on the music scene, this singer-songwriter is pursuing his dreams while enrolled as a full-time student. It’s a difficult path that many haven’t taken—one full of sacrifices—but also one Parker is more than willing to take. Growing up as a student-athlete, Parker learned discipline and hard work at an early age and brought that to his music career. This year, Parker dropped his infectious first single, “Keep In Touch”, a song about communicating in today’s world. We caught up with Parker to learn more about him, his career, and what’s ahead.

PC: How did you get started in music?
Parker: It all started when I was in elementary school; I was involved in choir and tried out for a few competitions. Due to sports, I had stopped doing organized music activities, and then further down the road, I decided I wanted to pursue music when I was in high school.

PC: We read that sports played an integral role in your life. Was it a difficult decision to pivot from sports to music?
Parker: Sports have always been a big part of my upbringing. I played from the age of five until I was twenty at the JUCO level. I loved playing baseball, but I felt that giving it up was necessary to pursue my life’s passion, which is music. I would be constantly singing in the outfield and my teammates would say to me, “Why are you here? You should go sing.”

PC: What’s the biggest lesson you learned on the field that you were able to bring to your musical career?
Parker: The biggest lesson I learned from the field to bring into music would have to be that they both require patience and hours worth of work every day to become better and to be more seasoned. I would also say staying in shape is important, too!

PC: You’re a full-time college student and musician. How are you able to balance both? Does it ever feel like you’re making a big sacrifice to pursue your dreams?
Parker: It can be tough sometimes due to traveling and the university’s policies on absences. I try to keep in contact with my professors constantly to ensure that I can make test dates and assignment due dates. I feel that the sacrifice is needed because I can go to college anytime in my life, but my dreams can be a part of both activities.

PC: “Keep In Touch” is the first single that you released. What’s the inspiration behind the song? What was the decision-making process for selecting this as your musical introduction?
Parker: The inspiration for “Keep In Touch” came from my past relationships. In this day and age of having constant contact with people, having a girlfriend can be tough due to using our phones as our main communication source because then it can be easy for someone to disconnect from the other person without warning. I just felt that this song would be a great intro to show a little bit of what I’m going to bring to the industry.

PC: What can you tease about your upcoming album? Has a release date been chosen?
Parker: New music is on the way! My team and myself have another single coming out within the next month!

PC: Are there any plans to hit the road this year?
Parker: Yes! I look forward to having opportunities to hit the road and perform wherever and whenever!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Parker: South Park

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Parker: The Dark Knight

PC: Favorite book?
Parker: The Power Habit by Charles Duhigg

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Parker: The Wizard of Oz

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Parker: Nickelback

PC: First album you bought?
Parker: John Mayer’s Battle Studies

PC: First concert you attended?
Parker: Warped Tour 2009

PC: Go-to karaoke song?
Parker: “Apologize” by OneRepublic

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Parker: Eastbound & Down

PC: Hidden talent?
Parker: I love to do impersonations.

Make sure to follow Parker on Instagram and Twitter, and pick up “Keep In Touch” on Amazon Music or iTunes today.