Human Resources Administrator wrote the book on rockin’ live

Peter Mallett
Staff Writer
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A new book by a Royal Canadian Navy sailor is inspiring musicians to seek perfection in their live performances and to “never be an echo of someone else.”

Author PO1 Jason Parsons is an accomplished live music producer and performance coach. By day he is a Human Resources Administrator in the Base Orderly Room (BOR) at CFB Esquimalt.

During the past year, as the COVID-19 pandemic raged, the music industry morphed into a state of hibernation and live concert gigs all but dried up. Instead of remaining idle, PO1 Parsons wrote his self-published book Be A Voice: A Musician’s Guide for the Live Performance.

“It’s an offering of invaluable lessons about the music industry and live concerts, whether you are a seasoned musician or just at the beginning of your musical journey,” he says.

PO1 Parsons has served over 17 years in the navy, but he is also a former rock musician who once found success on the big stage in Nashville, TN.

“Although pursuing a career in music is an exciting and rewarding venture, it also comes with its fair share of rejection and obstacles. The live performance is critical to the success of any music artist and this book will inspire you to never be an echo of someone else.”

PO1 Jason Parsons

Melfort to Music City

PO1 Parsons, 47, grew up in a musical family in Melfort, Saskatchewan. He experimented with guitar and drums in high school, playing in several local rock bands. One of those bands was Surrender, an acoustic rock band that released their debut EP, You and Me, in 1997. Within six weeks of its release the song reached No. 4 on the Indie (Independent) Top 40 charts in the United States.

There were many live performances to follow after the band’s act was picked up by a producer in Nashville, but their fame was short lived. 

So he began studying Live Performance in the late 1990s in Nashville and then underwent formal training as a Live Music Producer in 2011. In 2014 he launched Jason Parsons Productions.

He has managed to find success in both the music industry and military. He admits it was difficult to keep his hand in the music industry when deployed; working on land has made it possible to balance the two.

He was posted to the BOR in April but worked as an HR Administrator in Base Information Services since 2009.

“I have also served on board ships, I have worked with the Army and Air Force, and I have experienced both domestic and international operations,” he says.

Indy on the Island

Over the years, he has taught at many music industry workshops and conferences. A multitude of established and independent musicians across Canada have benefited from his instruction. In addition, PO1 Parsons has shared the platform with many industry greats including the late world renowned Canadian producer and songwriter icon Ralph Murphy (1944 to 2019), Ryan Guldemond, lead vocalist of Mother Mother (Universal Music Canada), and Bill Henderson, lead singer of the legendary rock band Chilliwack.

When the pandemic kicked in, it may have put the breaks on the local concert and pub music scene, but not on PO1 Parsons’ desire to teach others. The book took him six months to complete.

“During the pandemic, I encouraged my clients to continue writing and rehearsing. Then I decided to take my own advice and publish what I teach in book form. I truly believe this book lays the foundation for any artist who intends to pursue a career in music. I did not write it for myself, I wrote it to help other musicians find success.”

To purchase a copy and read the reviews: https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000178269963/Jason-Parsons-Be-A-Voice

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