The Season
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The Season

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"Q & A with Kurtis Parks: From American Idol to The Season"

When "American Idol" began auditioning contestants in Washington, D.C., Roanoker Kurtis Parks never dreamed that he'd make the first cut, let alone become a finalist during the show's 2004 season.

At the half-joking urging of his brother, Parks took the bait and beat out 100,000 other hopefuls to become one of 193 semifinalists. He got the ax right before the group was cut to 44.

Bummed but unwilling to give up, he returned to Roanoke and quickly reunited with friend and foil Josh Kim to form the Season.

Parks (vocals/piano) and Kim (guitar, backing vocals) are touring the East Coast behind their self-titled, independently released debut album — having the time of their lives while gaining popularity. Best described as a mix of Switchfoot and Lifehouse with piano, the touring band is rounded out by bassist/guitarist Adam Agati and drummer Elliot Lopes.

Parks' numerous other accomplishments include composing and recording a symphony for electric guitars (a feat not taken seriously since New York noisemeister Glenn Branca recorded his groundbreaking "Movement No. 1" in the 1980s) and winning a VH1 Song of the Year Award for his song "Everything That You Are," which ain't too shabby for an Air Force brat from Roanoke.

Q: It must have been difficult moving around so much as a kid.

Kurtis Parks: Yeah, a bit. I spent a lot of time in Florida, so I "grew up" there. I came of age in Roanoke and graduated from Glenvar High School in 2000. It was hard having to meet a whole new set of friends every couple of years, but I did have a lot of fun.

Q: What made you decide you wanted to be a musician?

A: I started playing piano at age 11, and writing my own stuff a few years later. I was good at it (laughs) and I decided I wanted that as a career.

Q: Influences?

A: When playing piano, I listened to a lot of classical: Mozart, Beethoven, George Winston, Jim Brickman. I grew up in a Christian household, and when I got into rock it was Jars of Clay and D.C. Talk. As I got older and more independent, I fell in love with the guitar, which led to the Smashing Pumpkins, U2 and Weezer.

Q: How did the Season come about?

A: While at Virginia Tech [graduating in 2004 with a degree in finance], I formed a band my sophomore year with Josh called the Temple. After losing on "Idol," I came back here and we played together again as the Kurtis Parks Band, using my name to get attention. Soon after, we changed the name to the Season, because the band is much more than just myself.

Q: Now that the album's out, what's next?

A: We've received a sponsorship from a German company that did the computer rig for the last U2 tour, so we'll probably be heading to Europe. For now, we're going to continue to hit the East Coast and Midwest circuits, back and forth, every few months, and hopefully we'll create enough of a spark to make it to the next level and make it fun for everybody. We're really proud of the CD. It's the kind of record you can put on and listen to all the way through. Next time we're in town, hopefully Roanoke will come out and support their brother!

Q: Has your stint on "Idol" helped or hurt in the long run?

A: It was eye-opening. I saw how the industry works and the demands it places on people. When I lost, a friend made me feel better by saying I'm just going to have to do it the old-fashioned way, by busting my hump. It's given us a bit of an edge because a lot of people recognize me and enjoyed my performances. It's been a good tool to use. It's gotten us gigs and helped us sell CDs ... lots and lots of people watch the show!

Q: How merciless was Simon Cowell?

A: He's actually pretty funny and really nice. He's not really the person you see on TV. Even when he's mean, you can see he's telling the truth ... he could be pretty harsh, though! (Laughs.)

FLASHBACK

From the Feb. 10, 2005, Roanoke Times report:

Kurtis Parks didn't exactly give the performance of his life Wednesday.

In fact, he was sort of awful, but in a funny way — funny enough that he was one of the featured performers on Wednesday's edition of "American Idol."

For this round of the competition, Parks, of Roanoke County, was paired with two other contestants. Together they sang a song that may have been Barry Manilow's "Jump Shout Boogie," though it's hard to say for sure because not one of them could memorize the lyrics.

"Everything is happening last-minute," he said on the show. "The Gettysburg Address: Didn't Lincoln write that on the way to the theater?"

"None of you sang the song!" judge Randy Jackson admonished following their performance.

Still, the judges agreed the boys deserved to make it to the next round.

HEAR THEM LIVE

* Tonight, Alley Katz, Richmond

* Friday, Grog & Tankard, Washington, D.C.

* Saturday, Longwood University’s Lankford Student Center, Farmville

* April 12, the Outback Lodge, Charlottesville

* April 15, the New Belmont, Norfo - The Roanoke Times


"Temple Carves out Great CD"

Temple carves out great CD

posted: January 22, 2003





by Tim Massie



I was excited when I put Temple’s latest CD, “Carved,” into my CD player — their large local following had impressed me at a Battle of the Bands in April 2002.


That first time I saw them, I could tell these guys had done their homework and really had something special. The second time I heard them, they were much more polished and had showed their true stage presence.


Temple made progress as a band of five, three of whom go to Virginia Tech. Kurt Parks (vocals/guitar/songwriter) is a junior finance major, Jeremy Basham (vocals/keyboard) is a sophomore industrial design major and Josh Kim is (lead guitar) is a senior computer science major.


Mark Sandfort, who plays bass on “Carved,” is moving to Pennsylvania, but the four remaining members still practice in Salem, where drummer Dustin Holt lives.


Pressing play and closing my eyes, I listened to the soothing didgeridoo as it brought me into the mood of the CD. Just then, the guitars cranked it up a notch with some distortion and the drums let me know they were alive with crashing symbols and a tight snare.


The peak of the intro then transitioned into “Not of this World”. From this beginning throughout the rest of the CD, you can hear the smooth harmonies and the deep lyrics of Parks and Basham that are so characteristic of this CD.


From the third track on, the band shows their use of high contrast between soft, slow phrases of music and the louder, faster sections that make this CD catchy. The riffs and twists played by Kim are reminiscent of Creed, using power chords and minor notes to give the music some more personality.


In “Crashing Down,” the harmonized powerful voice of Parks and the distinctive voice of Basham are once again united in a climax at the chorus of the song. Holt also gets a chance to show his passion to rock out on the drums.


On the next track, “Carved,” the combination of deep lyrics, the emergence of Basham’s talent on the keyboard, Kim’s solo on the guitar, the powerful harmonized chorus and the tight drums makes it understandable why this is the title track.


As the final punctuation, Temple doesn’t forget to put in the acoustic love song with mandolin accompaniment, sung by Basham with his unique voice.


Overall, this CD was extremely good, even though the CD production didn’t do justice to the live performances I had attended. It has all the elements of a good rock album.


Lyrics that make you think, variety of melodies, vocals that hook onto every fabric of your day and a rhythm that determines your gait for the following hour. I highly recommend “Carved” if you have any interest in good rock music.


Temple will play with Shades of Grey at the Ton 80 club Feb. 28.


The CD can be found at Crossroads, Record Exchange and New Life Bookstore. Tour information, pictures, biographies and news can all be found on . - The Collegiate Times


"Roanoke-area guys sing their way through 'Idol' land"

Roanoke-area guys sing their way through 'Idol' land

Alden Wynn of Roanoke says he'll be in the "American Idol" semifinals. Kurtis Parks of Roanoke County might make it, too.

By Beth Jones
777-6493
The Roanoke Times


Roanoke "American Idol" fans may spot a couple of hometown boys during the newest season of the hit show, which premieres tonight on Fox (WJPR/WFXR Channel 21/27).

At least one local Web site reports that Kurtis Parks of Roanoke County made it to the show's semifinal round. Parks, 22, declined to go on record about anything other than that he'd been one of more than 100,000 who auditioned for the show at seven cities around the nation.

Audio links

www.inthetemple.com

www.kurtisparks.com

www.aldenwynn.net

www.idolonfox.com

In the past, though, "American Idol" contestants have had to agree to not talk about anything about the show until after it runs on television.

Justin Wynn of Roanoke, on the other hand, has ridden the "American Idol" train before and was less weary about the show's lawyers. Wynn, who was one of the top 48 contestants on the second season of the show, eagerly reported that he'd done the impossible: beating out thousands of pop star wannabes to make it to the show's semifinal round for a second time.

Wynn, who's 27 and goes by the name Alden Wynn professionally, said he didn't realize he'd be facing off with a Roanoke-area competitor for the "American Idol" title until Parks introduced himself during an event for the show (an event that will remain nameless because of that whole contract thing). According to Wynn, Parks said, "Dude, you're from Roanoke!"

Wynn felt excited, not competitive, about his Star City rival.

"That's good, dude!" Wynn said. "We've got a double shot of getting Roanoke on the map."

A publicist for "American Idol" declined to either confirm or deny that Parks or Wynn had made it to the semifinal round. If Wynn and Parks did make the cut, though, they should have a big television audience watching them strut their stuff. "American Idol" was the No. 1 rated show of the last season in the Nielsen ratings with more than 25 million viewers.

Kurtis Parks

Parks began piano lessons as a 12-year-old, but after mastering the fundamentals he lost interest.

Parks' father, Terry, planned to start a church in Roanoke and wanted his son to play during services. To keep Kurtis tickling the ivories, Terry Parks gave him $10 for each lesson he attended.

All those Alexander Hamiltons did the trick. Kurtis kept playing.

Lonnie Sisler, Parks' mom, knew her son had a gift when one day his piano teacher said, "It doesn't happen very often, but he has the hands."

From the piano, Kurtis went on to learn how to play four other instruments, form several bands and write more than 800 songs.

After listening to singers such as Celine Dion and Amy Grant as a kid, Parks moved on to music like Wilco and Norah Jones as well as jazz and classical sounds.

"He can get really hard in rock 'n' roll music and then he can get soft on the piano," said Parks' fiance, Sarah Buhls.

Parks compares Temple, the band he formed while a finance major at Virginia Tech, to bands like Switchfoot or Lifehouse, where the members are Christians but the music is modern rock.

"Our lyrics aren't God and Jesus and all that stuff," he said.

Despite all the time he spends with a mike in hand, Parks considers himself primarily a songwriter.

Sisler likes telling a story about a 14-year-old Kurtis sleeping in the back of the van duri ng a family road trip when suddenly he sprang from his slumber demanding a pen. Parks then scribbled down what his mother describes as "the most beautiful poem" about nature. After writing the final line, he promptly returned to the horizontal position and went back to sleep.

Parks proposed to Buhls in November 2003 by singing the first of 25 songs he's written for her, a song called "Waiting" that deals with not settling for anything less than a soul mate.

It was Buhls who encouraged Parks to audition for "American Idol." He doesn't watch the show. "I'm really not into pop," he said disdainfully.

They arrived at the audition in Washington, D.C., at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17. Tryouts wouldn't begin until Wednesday morning, but there was already a line of folks waiting for their chance at stardom.

Not knowing what they were getting into, neither Buhls nor Parks thought to bring a change of clothing, but they had a sleeping bag and plenty of entertainment watching "goobers" sing.

"They have no clue how they sound," Parks said. The majority are there because Mom, just being nice, once said, 'You can sing, honey.'"

When Parks' audition time came around that Wednesday afternoon, he was less nervous about performing than the whole wearing-the-same-clothes-for-two-days dilemma. "I was praying my deodorant wouldn't wear off."

Parks, who's currently interviewing for a finance job and studying f - Beth Jones-The Roanoke Times


"Interview with Kurtis Parks"

Our Interview with Kurtis Parks
Interviewed By Joseph Curulla | Ritz Manager | Published 2/11/05

Joseph Curulla: How long have you been in the music business?

Kurtis Parks: The music business is a funny term. I have been playing live and performing with bands since I was 15. I guess in college was where I really got down to the nitty-gritty in trying to go somewhere with it, so dealing with the music business is more like it.


Joseph Curulla: What made you want to play the type of music you play?

Kurtis Parks: Growing up I was always really into rock, from really hard to softer stuff, even Kenny G (yeah, I said it). I've always had an appreciation for any music that's good. When I was young I always played piano, so I knew that would be a huge part of my music. In high school I really got into guitar and wrote alot of songs on that. Just seing rock concerts live and on TV, people really get into it, so I wanted to have that kind of experience at my shows.


Joseph Curulla: What would you describe your music as?

Kurtis Parks: I've always called it melodic rock. There's a lot of harmony in it, so maybe harmonic rock?


Joseph Curulla: Who are the artists that have influenced your career?

Kurtis Parks: I love the old school stuff like The Police, U2, and of course the Beatles. Newer bands like Coldplay, Lifehouse, Tonic, Snow Patrol, and Oasis are a big influence too.


Joseph Curulla: What are your top musical influences?

Kurtis Parks: As far as songwriting, Paul McCartney and Lennon are amazing. Ben Folds, Martin Smith, and Howie Day are recent songwriters that I've been digging.


Joseph Curulla: Do you want to go mainstream with your music, or do you just want to only have music as a hobby?

Kurtis Parks: I definitely want to do music as a day job. Right now I probably have a good enough fan base to do a decent tour, but I dont' know if I could go ahead and go full-force behind it. I don't want to end up as that bearded drunk guy that plays open mic nights at small hole-in-the-wall bars. This is definitely something that I've wanted for the last 10 years, and I'm willing to do whatever to make it happen.


Joseph Curulla: What are some successes that you've had from your career?

Kurtis Parks: On a smaller scale, winning several Battle of the Bands competitions, selling over 3,000 CDs with my band Temple, getting radio play on 7 or 8 different radio stations across the East Coast, playing venues like House of Blues in Myrtle Beach and several spots in Nashville. On a grand scale, making it to the top semifinalists in American Idol 4 (out of over 100,000 tryouts), placing as a finalist in VH1's Song of the Year competition. Right now is a cool time because I'm doing radio interviews almost every morning with stations all over the country. American Idol has really gotten my foot in alot of doors.


Joseph Curulla: What has been the most challenging experience for you as an artist?

Kurtis Parks: Every artist struggles to get a lot of people out to their shows. You have friends that say they'll come and never do. It's a challenge. Now it's not really a problem, but definitely starting out. Also, to find band members as dedicated as you are. Everyone wants to be a rockstar, but not everyone wants to walk the long road to becoming one. The guys I'm with now are definitely full-hearted into it.


Joseph Curulla: 20 years from now, how do you want people to remember your music?

Kurtis Parks: Hopefully 20 years from now, I'll still be playing it! I want my music to mean something. My lyrics are pretty deep, so hopefully they challenge people to look into their own lives and see who they are. That sounds cheezy, but I really want my music to inspire someone to become the person they are meant to be. We only get one crack at life, so don't waste it.


Joseph Curulla: Do you have any advice for anyone that might be preparing to enter the music business?

Kurtis Parks: My advice, Dont do it! haha. Just be prepared for a lot of "No's" before you hit any "yes's". And when you do get a "yes" don't get excited because most of the time, it's just a dead end road. It's a hard field to try to succeed in, because there are so many talented people out there. Its really only half the battle to be an amazing artist, the other half is who you know. So make contacts, and learn how to market yourself. Major labels aren't going to spend a million dollars on someone who can't even promote themselves. One last piece of advice.......Rock on.



- Whim Internet Magazine


"American Idol helps launch music career of Tech graduate"

Kurtis Parks appears as one of the contestants for the shows fourth season

By Anne-Henley Beck

Features Editor

Looking back at the history of now-famous artists, one can see that it was usually chance or mishap that rocketed them to stardom. The road is never easy, and the artist or group is often discovered by bookings, gigs, perseverance and being at the right place at the right time.

While these are still the predominant stepping-stones to making it big, another avenue has become prevalent for becoming the next American idol, and that is to appear and succeed on the show �American Idol.� Winning certifies a contestant�s superstardom, or at least provides all the necessary elements for becoming one. Kelly Clarkson did it, Clay Aiken managed reasonably for a second-place winner and, well, the list goes on from there.

Season four, which began last week, looks to see who will fill the shoes of a budding star and fulfill dreams in which only the strong survive. Although it may seem easy to pull off stardom, pressures abound for contestants, as recent Virginia Tech graduate, Kurtis Parks of the band Temple, can attest. After taking the suggestion of his younger brother Nate Parks, he stood in line with thousands of others in Washington, D.C, slept on concrete floors and managed to make it to the three infamous judges, as well as guest judge, Mark McGrath.

�My brother said to me, �I think you can really make it,�� Parks said. �He had a lot of faith in me. The show is always looking for something different, and he said, �You have a different edge to you that they�ll see.� So I decided to go and went with my fianc�e.�

By edge he means a presence and style to call his own in both his musical abilities and demeanor. Skilled at singing and playing eight different types of instruments, he claims songwriting, not singing, to be his forte.

�I�m always writing in my head,� Parks said. �Even on the way over here, I had to call my fianc�e and leave a voicemail with lyrics to write down. I�ve done at least 20 songs off of voicemails. I think of a lot of songs while driving.�

And as Mark McGrath later commented, he has the rock thing going on: leather jacket, ripped jeans and a band to back him up. It may seem surprising, then, that he performed the pop R&B song, �In the Still of the Night,� by Boys II Men, to the judges. But not to Parks, who is, �not into pop music, but it�s the solo I was known for in my high school choir.�

Rather than pop music, Parks prefers the likes of Oasis and Coldplay and predominantly performs a type of melodic pop rock with harmony, acoustics and electric guitar.

After arriving at the Washington Convention Center at 3 a.m., Parks thought he would arrive before the rush, but found 10,000 people already waiting in line and �hoarded everywhere; people were sleeping on the concrete floor.�

Auditioning twice before coming up against the famous trio, Parks was up against other young and talented musicians, as well as a camera crew that kept him on his toes at all times.

�You get no sleep, maybe two to three hours each night,� Parks said. �There are 54 million people that might be watching you so you don�t want to look stupid, and the camera crew try to catch you in embarrassing moments, so you have to be alert at all times.�

Once the first two auditions are done, the pressure is really on as artists step up to the eyes and ears of Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.

�Being in a band helped me prepare for the performing,� Parks said, �but something about being in front of famous people throws everything you learned out the window. My mind frame was, �I gotta know this and do it. It�s the chance of a lifetime.� When it�s down to those three, they can make or break you.�

Now that the season has begun and the word is out, Parks currently is working toward releasing a solo album. With a placement in VH1 Song of the Year song-writing contest and now having �American Idol� under his belt, he hopes to use these assets to his advantage in promoting his music career.

�I think a lot of people might see me on �American Idol�, see me getting my music out there,� Parks said. �I have been doing music since I was 11 years old. People (in the industry) want to see street credits as well; that you have worked hard. I�ve busted my butt since 15. �American Idol� is just a foot in the door, whether I win the competition or not.�

In the meantime, Parks is taking a real estate class, making guest appearances for radio stations, living in Roanoke, working with his band and keeping his website (www.kurtisparks.com) up to date.

�It�s crazy,� Parks said. �I went out to eat and four waiters recognized me. It�s kind of cool. It�s just starting, so right now I�m really digging it.� - Collegiate Times


Discography

The Season - self titled album (2006)
(Kurtis Solo)
Debut- Something for Everyone (2005)
(formerly known as Temple)
Debut Album - Carved (2002)
Follow up EP- Lights (2003)

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be what you’ve always been. Since the Season was conceived in 2002, the band has lived by that statement, striving to find more than just everyday existence, and to bring their discoveries to life in the music they create.

Kurtis Parks is experienced in receiving music industry merits. Parks has won songwriting awards including VH1’s Song of the Year (for his song Everything That You Are) and MOVA’s Songwriter/Composer award. In August 2004, he auditioned for American Idol’s fourth season - and made it. Parks made the trek to Hollywood and went on to become a Top 50 finalist. He was seen by over 40 million viewers in one of the most highly rated shows in the history of television. After his American Idol stint, he headed back home to Roanoke, VA. The national exposure he garnered from Idol lead to a series of local radio interviews and live shows.

Josh Kim was set on a lifelong course inevitably destined for music. After all, Kim learned how to read a musical staff soon after he could read words. At age five, he began studying the piano. At fourteen, he picked up his first guitar and curiosity quickly became obsession. Soon after, he turned to his classical roots and began recording well-known classical pieces as a symphony of electric guitars. His recordings received recognition from Mp3.com and were listened to by people all over the world. Once in college, Josh found in Kurt the perfect complement to his own musical styling. They spent Josh’s remaining years in school performing, writing, and touring together.

Shortly after graduating from Virginia Tech, the Season hopped a one-way train (actually a 17-foot Uhaul) to Nashville, TN. In Music City, they joined forces with producer Chris Estes to record their first effort under the name the Season. Their self-titled debut includes some of the best songs Parks and Kim have written and played over the past few years.

After releasing the record, they met Jason Jolly who put a fresh spin on their emerging sound. Coming from Russellville, Arkansas, Jason brought with him a style of rhythm inspired by the likes of The Foo Fighters and The Cardigans. The boys bring a fresh appetite to a hungry audience, with a sound forged from 80’s pop and the notes of a piano. Walking in the footsteps of The Cars, Keane, and the Police, the Season creates a classy, yet fun brand of music that leaves you wanting more.