Country Duo Parish County
by Doug Dyer

Diversity is a mainstay in the music business; thousands of singers and songwriters try daily to carve their little niche into the music world.
The key, or one of them anyway, is to continue learning and never be closed-minded when it comes to change. At least that’s what Kelsie Morgan and Ryan Sims have learned since coming to Nashville.
The duo known as Parish County burst onto the Music City scene just over a year ago, and their journey has been filled with the typical peaks and valleys every artist or group has experienced.
But they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Nashville is all about ‘the game’ and how well you play it,” Morgan said. “We feel we are still learning the ins and outs of the business and what the rules are. As long as the ‘game’ is going, we’ll keep playing.”
Both Morgan and Sims have backgrounds in music, and the two found a chemistry on stage after meeting and performing together at a Mississippi choir camp in 2002. Five years later, after stints trying to make it as solo artists, they moved to Middle Tennessee and figured out their best music came when they were on stage together.
“We keep growing and moving through this experience with open minds and open ears,” Sims said. “In this business you really have to believe in yourself and the team you have working around you. Individually, we try to stay humble and focused; we keep each other level-headed.”
Working alongside a variety of songwriters and artists since arriving in 2007 has helped them find their balance, while still affording the opportunity to expand their talents.
“Meeting and connecting with people has built us relationships that will stay with us forever,” Morgan said. “Yes, we have run into a few downfalls, but that’s the way it is in this business. You live and learn.”
The group name itself is a blending of two different backgrounds to make one harmonious sound. Morgan grew up in Louisiana’s Rapides Parish, while Sims hails from Jones County in Mississippi.
Their music blends new and old country with a little rock and even a dash of R&B occasionally to help the listener go on an emotional journey. They know how to get your blood pumping but also reach into the far corners of a heart bruised by love.
“We have come a long way with our writing, but we’ve met some amazing songwriters with creative and inspiring ideas, which have sprung a new direction for us,” she said. “We want listeners to hear the many different sides of Parish County. We’re not afraid to be fun, innovative, edgy or vulnerable—those are REAL feelings of an everyday listener.”
Nashville is full of success stories for up-and-coming singers/songwriters who caught that one break that made all the tough times worth it. Even the ones with the most success still fight the battles of finding the right mix at the right time.
“We really respect great artists in this town,” Sims said. “We love Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Keith Urban and Jason Aldean. We would love to pick apart any of their brains.
“Yes we know some of their success stories, but to us the word ‘success’ can be so loaded. We would love to know how they got their first taste of success and how they have continued to reinvent themselves and stay up to date with the listening audience.”
And the constant in all of it is the music … and the fans.
“Anybody in this industry knows that it’s not easy,” Morgan said. “But we don’t turn our backs on a challenge. There are many different sides to it, but at the end of the day we do this for the audience; to see them sing in a crowd, to make them feel every word you’re singing so they feel a connection with you.
“We believe music is the one thing that can speak to anyone.”