A Portrait of Gene Parsons: Musician, Inventor, Craftsman

[Paul Russell]

I recently had a guitar fitted with a stringbender conversion, and while at Gene's place picking it up decided to do a quick portrait of him. Gene's a lovely guy and we hope that this comes across.

From wikipedia:
Gene Victor Parsons is an American drummer, banjo player, guitarist, singer-songwriter, and innovative engineer, best known for his work with The Byrds from 1968 to 1972. Parsons has also released solo albums and played in bands including Nashville West, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Parsons Green. Parsons is credited with inventing the B-Bender (also known as the StringBender) along with Clarence White and the device is often referred to as the Parsons/White B-Bender, a trademarked name.[SUP][1][/SUP]

 

[Richard Fox]

Very nice! I really enjoyed it.

 

[Webster Miller]

Gene is such a wonderful person. And yes, you told his story well.

 

[Robert Hart]

It is a genuine pleasure to witness this story. Thanks for taking the time and trouble to open this little window for us.

 

[Peter Strietmann]

Excellent! By all accounts.

 

[Paul Russell]

Thanks for watching, guys. As Webster says, he is a wonderful person.

We shot the cutaways one day and the interview the next, staying overnight in Gene's holiday cottage. In the evening Gene and his lovely lady, Star took us out. So what do you do on a night out with a geniune rockstar? We went to see 'The Life of Pi'. After the movie Gene stuck his stetson back on his head and wryly commented "There's another evening shot to hell" LOL.

The guitar in the shot is the American Nashville Tele that Gene converted for me. The quality of his work is so high that it's a work of art.