Polly Parsons (producer)

Polly Parsons (born 1967) is an American producer, entrepreneur, and performer. She is the daughter of singer-songwriter Gram Parsons and Nancy Ross.

2003 Americana Music Awards
Parsons made her first documented appearance in 2003, accepting the President's Award on behalf of the late Gram Parsons at the Americana Music Awards ceremony in Nashville.

2004: Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons
In 2004, she directed and produced two live tribute concerts titled "Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons". Artists included: Keith Richards, James Burton, Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, Dwight Yoakam, John Doe, Steve Earle, Jim Lauderdale, Kathleen Edwards, Jay Farrar, Jim James, Raul Malo, Susan Marshall, and the Sin City All Stars. The concert produced a DVD.

Gram Parsons Foundation
100% of the proceeds from the tribute concerts were donated through the newly formed Gram Parsons Foundation to the Musician's Assistance Program (now MusiCares Foundation) which aids musicians in crisis.

Parsons would go on to relaunch the Gram Parsons Foundation in 2012 to support musicians and artists worldwide with addiction and recovery services by hosting a launch event at SXSW March 14, 2012. The event featured performances by Brendan Benson, Eric Burdon, Blitzen Trapper, Alberta Cross, Great Lake Swimmers, Jenny O and Poor Man (Christian Wargo and Casey Wescott from Fleet Foxes).

2022-2023: The Last Roundup: Live from The Bijou Café in Philadelphia
Dave Prinz, a co-founder of Amoeba Music, was a collector of Gram Parsons archival material. During a move of the L.A. Amoeba record store, Prinz rediscovered a series of Gram Parsons “Last Roundup” tapes. With no interest to involve a bigger record company, Prinz decided to initiate a Kickstarter campaign to fund the release independently, in partnership with Polly Parsons. The campaign launched November 17, 2022, and was fully backed.

Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels' "The Last Roundup: Live from The Bijou Café in Philadelphia 3/16/73" featuring Emmylou Harris was released Friday November 24, 2023 and was considered one of the record store hits of 2023.

2023: Grammy Museum Panel: Celebrating Gram Parsons, Amoeba Music, and RSD Black Friday
On November 15, 2023, the Grammy Museum hosted a panel titled Celebrating Gram Parsons, Amoeba Music, and RSD Black Friday. The commemorative panel was moderated by Variety Chief Music Critic Chris Willman, Gram Parsons' daughter Polly Parsons, and Amoeba Music Co-founder David Prinz detailing the discovery of a never-before-heard 1973 recording

The panel wrapped up with a performance from the 35-year-old West Virginia-born Sierra Ferrell, who paid homage to Parsons with renditions of “She,” “Return of the Grievous Angel” and “Streets of Baltimore.”

Sound As Ever
In 2021, Polly Parsons launched a desert and community inspired goods and Gram Parsons merchandise brand called Sound As Ever with 2 partners. Self-described as "fine goods for the mindful", the products have a distinctive boho, Joshua Tree aesthetic.

Daddy Van Productions
Parsons co-founded and is the former managing partner of Daddy Van Productions, producing video content design for live events and world tours. They produced tours for Bruce Springsteen, and Maroon 5 among others as well as producing with major companies like Nike and Warner Brothers.

Taking the Jesus Pill
Parsons adapted and then produced the multimedia rock opera Taking the Jesus Pill. The play ran through 2006 and produced an album.

Take Another Little Piece of my Heart
Polly Parsons is directing and producing the Pamela Des Barres one woman show Take Another Little Piece of my Heart. The event will take place at Whisky a Go Go, March 17, 2024.

Advocacy for Artist Addiction and Recovery
Through Gram Parsons tribute concerts, Parsons raised funds for a series of organizations that support artist and musician addiction and recovery services including Gram Parsons Foundation, Musician's Assistance Program (now MusiCares Foundation), and SIMS Foundation.

Hickory Wind Ranch Sober Living Facility
In 2009, Polly Parsons opened Hickory Wind Ranch, a sober living environment for women in entertainment and the arts who are in recovery from substance abuse. It was the first holistic sober living environment in Austin for musicians and artists. It would expand to treat men, women, and teens.

In 2013, Parsons expanded Hickory Wind to include substance abuse treatment, with a unique 90-day treatment and extended care program customized for male residents.