02/14/2025
NEW NASHVILLE WEST
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The original early nineteen sixties group, Nashville West, was one of the premier, pioneer music groups that defined the term “Country Rock”. Many of the musicians that went on to form famous groups like The Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, and the “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” version of the Byrds and Buck Owens’ “Buckaroos”, came regularly to listen and be inspired by the Nashville West as they played nightly as the house band at the “Nashville West” music club in El Monte Southern California. They also played various clubs in Bakersfield and throughout the California Southland.
The original Nashville West band consisted of the Louisiana born Cajun fiddler Gib Guilbeau, bass player Wayne Moore and the famous bluegrass guitarist, studio musician and Fender Telecaster artist extraordinaire, Clarence White, and multi instrumentalist recording artist and inventor of the StringBender, Gene Parsons.
After Clarence White and Gene Parsons went on to be members of the Byrds, and later for Gene ‘The Flying Burrito Brothers’, Gib Guilbeau went on to play on the road and in the studio with Arlo Guthrie, Linda Ronstadt, and various other top name artists.
The New Nashville west was formed in 2021 by the only remaining member of the original Nashville West, Gene Parsons. The N.N.W. consists of very experienced and gifted veteran musicians; Gene’s daughter, Lily Parsons on bass and vocals, Morgan Daniel on acoustic guitar, fantastic triple StringBender Telecaster and vocals with Johnny Bush driving the groove on drums and vocals and Keeter Stuart on acoustic guitar, rockin’ Stratocaster electric guitar and vocals. And of course, last but not least Gene Parsons on pedal steel guitar, acoustic and Telecaster StringBender guitars, five string banjo, mandolin, Cajun double reed harmonica and vocals.
Gene, as sole survivor of the original band, strives to lend tribute to the original members and late friends by having fun playing some of the music they created. The members of New Nashville West tip a hat to those iconic times and tunes while introducing songs offered from the more current times and from the extremely talented members as well.
Gene says: “Everyone in New Nashville West is so capable. I love the interaction we have developed and I have NEVER been in a band where everyone understands vocal harmony the way this band does. It is simply a joy and a thrill to be playing music with Lily, Morgan, Johnny and Keeter.”
New Nashville West
