Parson James

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Parson James
Born
Ashton Parson

(1994-06-07) June 7, 1994 (age 29)
Cheraw, South Carolina
Other namesParson James
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • model
LabelRCA[1]
WebsiteOfficial Website

Parson James (born June 7, 1994) is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for his single "Stole the Show", a collaboration with Norwegian producer Kygo. The song became a hit in a number of countries as well as receiving certifications in Italy, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. He has collaborated with various artists including on the song "Insomnia" by Audien. On February 5, 2016, he released his extended play release The Temple EP on Sony Music with a full studio album due later on RCA Records.

Biography[edit]

James was born Ashton Parson in Cheraw of an interracial relationship, with his father being black and his mother white. His mother, just 16, was kicked out of her parents' house because of the relationship. He and his single mother faced hardship in Cheraw, South Carolina, where he was born and raised and where he grew up singing hymns in church.[2] At 17, he decided to move to New York City, partly because he wanted wider possibilities than his conservative hometown would offer to a bi-racial and gay young man.[3]

James signed with RCA Records in early 2015 after the release of his first single, "Stole the Show", a collaboration he co-wrote with Kygo.[4] The song became a hit in a number of countries[2] as well as receiving certifications in Italy, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. The video to the song was released at the YouTube Music Awards, with the duo also performing a cover of Tove Lo's single "Habits" on BBC One's Live Lounge.[5]

Parson followed-up with his solo debut, "Sinner Like You", a song produced by Elof Loelv.[6][7] In addition to releasing his own music under RCA, he has collaborated with additional artists including on the song "Insomnia" by Audien.[8]

On February 5, 2016, he released his extended play release The Temple EP on Sony Music with a full studio album due later in the year on RCA Records. The EP included the title track "Temple", plus "Slow Dance with the Devil", "Sinner Like You", his great hit "Stole the Show" and finally "Waiting Game". James also appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers performing "Temple" from the EP after having been featured with Kygo in February 2016, performing "Stole the Show" live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon alongside Kygo. The track "Waiting Game" from The Temple EP got huge exposure when Trent Harmon, a contestant in season 15, the last season of the American Idol performed it after a suggestion by judge and mentor Keith Urban.[9] In April 2016, James was featured on the cover and in the pages of Hello Mr.,[10] and in November 2016 was picked as "Artist of the Month" by Elvis Duran performing his single "Sad Song" during the NBC's Today show with Kathie Lee and Hoda Kotb.

In February 2021, Parson James joined the roster of Prescription Songs.[11]

Discography[edit]

Extended plays[edit]

Title Details Track list Peak chart position
US Heat
[12]
The Temple
  • Released: February 5, 2016
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Format: Digital download
  1. "Temple" (4:09)
  2. "Slow Dance with the Devil" (3:27)
  3. "Sinner Like You" (3:50)
  4. "Stole the Show" (3:51)
  5. "Waiting Game" (3:52)
 20

Singles[edit]

As lead artist[edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Religion" 2014 Non-album single
"Sinner Like You" 2015 The Temple EP
"Stole the Show"
(Solo version)
"Temple"
"Sad Song" 2016 Non-album singles
"Tennessee Whiskey"[13]
(with Stan Walker) 		2017
"If You're Hearing This"
(with Hook N Sling & Betty Who)
"Only You"
"Minute" 2019
"Oh Love"
(with Wrabel & VINCINT)
"High Tide, Low Tide" 2020
"Bigger"
(Duet Version) (with Stan Walker)
"Dirty Laundry" (featuring JoJo) 2021
"Little Fires" 2023

As featured artist[edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications
US
Dance
 AUS
[14] 		AUT
[15] 		FRA
[16] 		GER
 NL
[17] 		NOR
[18] 		NZ
[19] 		SWE
[20] 		SWI
[21] 		UK
"Stole the Show"
(Kygo featuring Parson James) 		2015 11 53 2 1 2 3 1 4 1 3 24
  • IFPI NOR: 3× Platinum
  • BPI: Silver
  • RIAA: Platinum[22]
"Insomnia"[23]
(Audien featuring Parson James) 		32 — — — — — — — — — —
"River"[24]
(The Knocks featuring Parson James) 		2021 — — — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Peters, Mitchell (May 7, 2015). "New Signings: Elektra Signs Royal Teeth, Brett Eldredge Joins WME, Downtown Nabs RJD2". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Stern, Bradley (June 23, 2015). "Popcrush Presents: Parson James". Pop Crush. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  3. ^ Andre Wheeler (February 29, 2016). "Meet Rising LGBT Singer Parson James". Out.com. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  4. ^ Cooper, Duncan (August 20, 2015). "The Original Version of Kygo's 'Stole The Show' Slays Too". The Fader. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  5. ^ Middleton, Ryan (May 5, 2015). "Kygo, Parson James Cover Tove Lo 'Habits' in BBC1 Live Lounge". Music Times. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  6. ^ "Listen to Parson James' superb debut solo single Sinner Like You". Chart Shaker. July 26, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  7. ^ Wass, Mike (April 24, 2015). "Parson James Signs With RCA Records: Check Out His Kygo Collaboration 'Stole the Show'". Idolator. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  8. ^ Vain, Madison (July 1, 2015). "Audien's Lady Antebellumcollaboration 'Something Better' is everything you need to feel good today". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  9. ^ Desk, BWW News. "Parson James's 'Waiting Game' Featured on AMERICAN IDOL; Watch Video for 'Temple'". BroadwayWorld.com.
  10. ^ Lee, Peter Ash (April 14, 2016). "5 Things We Learned About Southern Singer Parson James from Hello Mr". OUT. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  11. ^ "Login • Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved February 9, 2022. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  12. ^ "Parson James - Chart History | Billboard". Billboard.
  13. ^ "Tennassee Whiskey (single) by Stan Walker and Parson James". iTunes Australia. May 5, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  14. ^ "Parson James discography". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  15. ^ "Parson James discography". austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  16. ^ "Parson James discography". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  17. ^ "Parson James discography". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  18. ^ "Parson James discography". norwegiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  19. ^ "Parson James discography". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  20. ^ "Parson James discography". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  21. ^ "Parson James discography". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  22. ^ "American single certifications – Kygo – Stole The Show". Recording Industry Association of America.
  23. ^ Farella, Dylan (March 3, 2015). "Audien – Insomnia (feat. Parson James)". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  24. ^ "River (feat. Parson James) - Single by The Knocks on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 27, 2021.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Parson_James&oldid=1218071208"