[Cover photo credit to Morgan Elliott]

Upstate New York singer/songwriter and recording artist Christian Parker is gearing up for the release of a second album that shows his musical dedication to a major influence of his, titled Change Is Now: A Tribute To The Byrds. It arrives on March 22nd, 2024. In particular, it was the 12-string-guitar of The Byrds’ Roger McGuinn that made Parker fall in love with music.

Parker previously released a tribute to The Byrds album Sweetheart of the Rodeo called Sweethearts. You can still check out our interview with him about that album right here.

Parker comments:

Growing up, there were always these dividing lines. Either you were a McCartney fan or a Lennon fan. I always thought Dave Crosby was a cool cat, but I was never like Dave Crosby musically; I related more to Roger McGuinn. I wanted to honor that childhood hero on Change is Now. 

With the announcement of the album, Parker has shared the album’s title track, “Change is Now,” from the band’s 1968 album, The Notorious Byrd Brothers.

Parker shares about the track:

When I first heard ‘Change Is Now’ by The Byrds, I thought it was psychedelic country music. It started with a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar hook and three-part harmonies, and then the chorus came in with a pedal steel guitar. Wow, that was a left turn, I thought! I was excited to track the electric guitar solo, which takes you to outer space and brings you back to the next verse.

Change Is Now Tracklist:

Change is Now

She Don’t Care About Time

Here Without You

The World Turns All Around Her

I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better

Chimes of Freedom

Wild Mountain Thyme

Ballad of Easy Rider

Get To You

Time Between

Your Gentle Way of Loving Me

Full Circle

Bugler

Farther Along

The Last Thing On My Mind