Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Polly Parsons

Polly Parsons (born 1967) is an American producer, entrepreneur, performer, and advocate for addiction recovery, best known as the only child of pioneering musician , who died of a in 1973 when she was a young child. As president of the Foundation, established in 2012, she has worked to preserve her father's musical legacy while supporting musicians and artists facing issues, including through tribute concerts and events like showcases. In addition to her production credits in music and theater, Parsons owns and operates Hickory Wind Ranch in , a network of sober living homes dedicated to aiding men and women in , drawing from her personal commitment to and community healing.

Early life

Birth and family background

Polly Parsons was born in 1967 as the only child of American singer-songwriter and his then-partner Nancy Ross. , born Ingram Cecil Connor III in 1946, emerged as a pivotal figure in the late music scene, widely recognized as the "father of " for blending rock, folk, and country elements in innovative ways. His contributions included co-founding and collaborating with on their seminal Sweetheart of the Rodeo (1968), which helped define the genre and influenced subsequent artists in blending traditional country with sensibilities. At the time of Polly's birth, Gram was on the cusp of this rising fame, having recently formed the International Submarine Band, whose Safe at Home (1968) marked an early milestone in . Nancy Ross, a native of , was in her early twenties when she began her relationship with in 1966, initially having been involved with musician . The couple briefly lived together in during the early stages of Gram's career ascent, navigating the vibrant but chaotic music scene amid his growing associations with influential figures. As Gram's professional commitments intensified with band formations and recordings, Ross returned to with their infant daughter, establishing the family's early base in a quieter coastal environment away from the intensifying spotlight of his emerging stardom.

Childhood and family challenges

Polly Parsons was six years old when her father, , died of a and overdose on September 19, 1973, at the Joshua Tree Inn in . She learned of the death while sitting on the living room floor at her home in , watching the news report about the incident. This sudden loss marked the beginning of significant emotional and familial upheaval for young Polly, as her father's passing from the music world left an indelible void in the household. The death exacerbated existing family tensions, rooted in a history of addiction and tragedy on both sides, leading to her mother's emotional collapse and subsequent neglect. Parsons' mother banned any mention of Gram's name or his music in the home, forcing Polly to listen to his records secretly under her bed, which deepened her sense of isolation and suppressed grief. Emotionally, Polly shut down upon hearing the limited details provided to her—that her father had been "burned in the "—an image that haunted her early years and shaped a fragmented centered on loss and unspoken legacy. In the immediate aftermath, family stability deteriorated, with Polly, then around seven, being left in the care of friends while her mother struggled to cope. The family relocated frequently between hippie communes in Santa Barbara, contributing to a turbulent childhood marked by shifting caregivers and a lack of consistent structure. These moves and the surrounding neglect reinforced Polly's early disconnection from her father's musical heritage, even as it instilled a profound, if initially buried, connection to his memory that would influence her sense of identity.

Professional career

Tribute projects to Gram Parsons

Polly Parsons accepted the President's Award for her father, , at the 2003 Americana Music Awards ceremony, marking her first public appearance in connection with his legacy. In 2004, Parsons directed and produced the "Return to : A Tribute to " concert series, held at venues including the Universal Amphitheatre in and the , featuring performances by artists such as , , , , and . The events, organized as a tribute to Parsons' innovative blend of country, rock, and folk, culminated in the release of a 21-song DVD titled Return to Sin City - A Tribute to Gram Parsons in 2005, capturing the live performances and including commentary from Parsons herself. A portion of the proceeds from the 2004 concerts was donated to the Musicians' Assistance Program—now known as MusiCares—to support musicians facing substance abuse challenges. From 2022 to 2023, Parsons partnered with Amoeba Music to release The Last Roundup: Live from the Bijou Cafe in Philadelphia 3/16/73, a previously unreleased live album featuring Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels in their final lineup, funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $133,000. The album, capturing a March 1973 performance just months before Gram Parsons' death, was officially launched on November 24, 2023, as part of Record Store Day's Black Friday edition, preserving his raw, genre-blending style for modern audiences. On November 15, 2023, Parsons participated in a at titled "Celebrating , , and RSD Black Friday," where she explored her father's enduring influence on and Americana genres alongside co-panelist David Prinz of .

Independent productions and ventures

Polly Parsons began her career in the entertainment industry in the early as a multifaceted performer and , drawing initial from her family's musical legacy. In the mid-2000s, Parsons co-founded Daddy Van Productions, a company specializing in video production and backdrop for live events and world tours, where she served as managing partner. The firm elevated visual elements for major artists, including custom video content for Springsteen's tours and Maroon 5's performances, such as their appearances at the . Parsons expanded into theater production with the 2006 multimedia rock opera Taking the Jesus Pill, a production she adapted and presented in association with at the King King nightclub in . The show, written and directed by Charles Terrell, ran for 14 sold-out weeks on Wednesday nights from June through July, blending , , and narrative elements centered on themes of and . In 2024, Parsons took on directing and producing duties for Pamela Des Barres' one-woman show Take Another Little Piece of My Heart, adapted from Des Barres' memoir and featuring anecdotes from her experiences with rock icons like Led Zeppelin and . The production premiered at the in on March 17, incorporating readings, music, photos, video clips, and a Q&A session, with additional performances in and other U.S. locations.

Entrepreneurship initiatives

Polly Parsons is the co-owner and producer of Daddy Van Productions, a company she co-founded with her husband, artist Charlie Terrell. The firm specializes in original video content design for live events, world tours, and corporate productions, providing custom visual elements such as backdrops and for music performances. In partnership with Erika and Libby Rose, Parsons co-founded Sound As Ever, a boho-inspired merchandise brand that blends heritage with lifestyle products. The brand offers sustainable, fair-trade goods like artisanal blankets, leather accessories, and harmonica necklaces, drawing inspiration from the late and early "Cosmic American" culture and Parsons' father, . Sound As Ever positions itself as a "for-purpose" company, emphasizing human connection and community while donating 50 meals per qualifying order to . Parsons supports her entrepreneurial efforts through dedicated online platforms, including her personal website at pollyparsons.com for professional updates and the Sound As Ever site at wearesoundasever.com for brand merchandise and storytelling.

Philanthropy and advocacy

Gram Parsons Foundation

In 2012, Polly Parsons relaunched the Foundation during the (SXSW) music festival in , marking a renewed commitment to aiding the music community. The relaunch included a free day party co-hosted with Benchmark Recovery Center, featuring live performances by artists such as Blitzen Trapper, , and members of , followed by a VIP fundraiser that evening with acts including and . These events aimed to generate awareness and funds for the foundation's initiatives, drawing on Parsons' personal experiences to highlight the vulnerabilities faced by musicians. The foundation's core mission is to support musicians and artists worldwide in overcoming and by providing access to resources, reducing , and promoting to prevent the loss of creative talent. Established initially in the early and dormant until the 2012 revival, it focuses on an often underserved population within the entertainment industry, offering practical solutions such as financial assistance for and supportive services. Parsons, as , has emphasized the foundation's role in imparting hope through and direct aid, inspired by her father ' own struggles with . Key activities include strategic partnerships with established organizations like MusiCares, the charitable arm of , to amplify recovery efforts for artists in crisis. The foundation channels proceeds from legacy projects, such as tribute events honoring , into grants and programs that fund addiction treatment and sober living support tailored to musicians. For instance, a 2004 tribute concert organized by Parsons raised nearly $100,000, which was donated through the foundation to MusiCares (formerly the Musicians' Assistance Program) to assist artists with recovery needs. Ongoing initiatives continue this model, prioritizing high-impact collaborations to ensure sustainable resources for those in the music industry facing substance use challenges.

Addiction recovery efforts

In 2009, Polly Parsons opened Hickory Wind Ranch in , as a sober living facility specifically designed for women in the and industries recovering from . The initiative addressed the unique challenges faced by female artists, providing a zero-tolerance environment with supervised training, random drug testing, and regular 12-step recovery meetings. Parsons' personal advocacy for recovery among creative professionals stems from her family's history of addiction, including her father ' fatal overdose in 1973 and her own struggles with substance use during her teenage years. She has emphasized the ranch's role in breaking cycles of addiction, stating that supporting even one person through justifies the effort. In 2010, the program expanded to include a separate facility for men, broadening access to sober living support for artists nationwide while maintaining a focus on holistic recovery practices such as counseling and . By 2011, Ranch had gained as a model for long-term , incorporating life coaching, bodywork, and a mind-body-spirit approach to foster a supportive for sustained healing.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Polly Parsons is married to Charlie Terrell, an artist, musician, and concert video designer. The couple wed following their engagement in 2004 and have built a collaborative creative life together, including co-founding Daddy Van Productions for live event video content. Parsons and Terrell have one daughter, , born in the late . The family relocated to , in 2006, where they reside in a home adjacent to Parsons' sober living initiatives, fostering an environment that supports artistic endeavors and . This family structure has profoundly shaped Parsons' personal priorities, providing stability and motivation in her commitment to after overcoming her own struggles with . She has emphasized that creating a nurturing home for her daughter and husband allows her to honor her while focusing on healing and creative expression, stating, "I knew I could not go forward without coming to terms with who I was."

Residence and lifestyle

Polly Parsons has maintained her primary residence in , since 2006. As of 2023, she splits her time between Austin and . This location serves as the base for her ranch operations, including the Hickory Wind Ranch, which she opened as a sober living community. Her daily life in Austin reflects a balance shaped by her commitments as a , entrepreneur, and , integrating personal routines with oversight of these ventures. Outside her professional spheres, Parsons pursues personal interests such as occasional pilgrimages to , to connect with her family's history.

References

  1. [1]
    A Daughter Remembers Gram Parsons, 'Father Of Country Rock'
    Mar 14, 2012 · Gram Parsons died of a drug overdose in a hotel room in Joshua Tree, California in 1973, when his daughter Polly was just a little kid.
  2. [2]
    Podcast - RP:6 Polly Parsons | Gram Parsons Foundation
    Polly is becoming a legend herself helping people in recovery from addiction. She operates Hickory Wind Ranch, sober living homes in Austin, Texas.
  3. [3]
    Polly Parsons Official Site
    Polly Parsons is a producer, entrepreneur, & performer. The daughter of Gram Parsons, renowned as the "father of country rock".
  4. [4]
    Hickory Wind Ranch: A sober living model for a new, creative ...
    Oct 9, 2011 · Polly Parsons was just 5-years-old when her father, legendary singer-songwriter Gram Parsons ... Thus, Hickory Wind Ranch was born. Today ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  5. [5]
    The heir to a parent - Los Angeles Times
    Jul 8, 2004 · When your young life is as fractured as Polly Parsons' was, you take your contentment where you find it. Parsons' father was Gram Parsons ...
  6. [6]
    Musician Gram Parsons, long dead, lives on in hearts: His 70th ...
    Dec 2, 2016 · Gram Parsons often is referred to as the father of country-rock. The musician who pioneered the concept of a rock band playing country music ...
  7. [7]
    Enough About Gram Parsons's Death. It's Time to Celebrate His Music.
    Oct 1, 2023 · The country-rock pioneer died 50 years ago at age 26 with two influential solo albums to his name, leaving a legion of “what if”s behind.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  8. [8]
    Country Muse Gram Parsons Fill the Desert Skies - NED ROCK
    Jan 2, 2015 · Gram went to visit him and met a girl who was with David Crosby…” 19-year old Nancy Lee Ross ... Gram married Nancy shortly thereafter.Missing: background | Show results with:background
  9. [9]
    Mr Gram Parsons | The Journal
    Apr 8, 2015 · ... Nancy Lee Ross. Soon he was holed up with Ms Ross on Hollywood's Sweetzer Avenue and infiltrating the buzzy local pop scene. “Everybody was ...
  10. [10]
    Do Right Woman - The Austin Chronicle
    Jul 31, 2009 · Sitting in her California living room on Sept. 19, 1973, Parsons was 5 years old when the news of her father's death at the Joshua Tree Inn came ...
  11. [11]
    Cash Takes Top Americana Honors - Billboard
    Sep 22, 2003 · The late Gram Parsons was presented with the President's Award, accepted by his daughter Polly. “My father wanted more than anything to be ...
  12. [12]
    Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons - Variety
    Jul 11, 2004 · His daughter Polly, one of this event's organizers, managed to finagle a group of musicians as credible and diverse as her father's pull allows ...Missing: proceeds donation
  13. [13]
    Gram Parsons Tribute Concert July 10, 2004 - EAR CANDY MAG
    The featured performers were some of the brightest stars in the business well known to many non-traditional country fans, including Keith Richards, Norah Jones, ...
  14. [14]
    Gram Parsons Tribute - Universal Amphitheatre (Universal City, CA)
    Aug 31, 2004 · This show -- formally dubbed "Return To Sin City: A Tribute To Gram Parsons" -- was the brainchild of Parsons' daughter Polly.Missing: proceeds | Show results with:proceeds
  15. [15]
    Amazon.com: Return to Sin City - A Tribute to Gram Parsons
    30-day returnsThis 106-minute, 21-song concert features some big names (Keith Richards, Norah Jones) and slightly lesser lights (Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Steve Earle ...
  16. [16]
    Sin City - A Tribute to Gram Parsons (DVD, 2005) for sale online | eBay
    In stock Rating 4.0 (1) This tribute concert to legendary country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons is a moment in rock history that stands on its own. Organized by his daughter Polly Parsons, ...
  17. [17]
    Keith Richards at Gram Parsons tribute concert - Dean Goodman
    Not to mention the boost it gave to sales of the concert DVD, Return to Sin City – A Tribute to Gram Parsons . Keith Richards Norah Jones Keith came backstage ...
  18. [18]
    Concerts To Honor Gram Parsons Planned - Glide Magazine
    Mar 29, 2004 · Tickets will go on sale May 8 via Ticketmaster. A portion of the proceeds from the shows will be donated to the Musicians' Assistance Program.
  19. [19]
    Amoeba Presents Newly Discovered Gram Parsons Recordings
    Nov 17, 2022 · Polly Parsons and Amoeba Music are working together to release a recently discovered long-lost Gram Parsons performance on CD and 2LP.
  20. [20]
    Gram Parsons: The Last Roundup | Stereophile.com
    Jan 29, 2024 · When he and Polly finally decided to ready another release, they launched a Kickstarter campaign, which eventually raised $133,944. Several 10" ...
  21. [21]
    An L.A. record store unearths a lost Gram Parsons recording
    Nov 20, 2023 · For Black Friday's Record Store Day, Amoeba Music is releasing a live Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris album, recorded just months before his ...
  22. [22]
    https://www.discogs.com/release/28863778-Gram-Parsons-And-The-Fallen-Angels-The-Last-Roundup-Live-From-The-Bijou-Caf%25C3%25A9-In-Philadelphia-31673
  23. [23]
    Gram Parsons, Found: How a Misplaced 1973 Concert Tape Saw ...
    Nov 26, 2023 · Gram Parsons' daughter, Polly Parsons, and Amoeba's Dave Prinz tell how a concert tape got found, lost, and found again for Record Store Day ...
  24. [24]
    Celebrating Gram Parsons, Amoeba Music, and RSD Black Friday
    The GRAMMY Museum is thrilled to spotlight the release of Gram Parsons and ... Polly Parsons (Daughter of Gram Parsons) and David Prinz (Co-Founder of ...
  25. [25]
    Tale of a Lost Tape: How a New Gram Parsons Album Came to Life ...
    Nov 17, 2023 · Tale of a Lost Tape: How a New Gram Parsons Album Came to Life 50 Years After His Death. A Grammy Museum panel featuring Polly Parsons ... 2023 ...
  26. [26]
    Polly Parsons - IMDb
    Polly Parsons stands as a multifaceted personality in the entertainment industry, boasting a rich history as a producer, entrepreneur, performer, and a veteran ...
  27. [27]
    MAROON 5 - Daddy Van Productions
    VIDEOS · CORPORATE · CONTACT · Daddy Van Productions · TOURS · SHOW REEL · VIDEOS · CORPORATE · CONTACT. American Music Awards. m5 9.jpg. m5 8.jpg.
  28. [28]
    Taking The Jesus Pill | LAist
    It is a rock-goth-opera promoted by Polly Parsons of the fabulous Amoeba and at the helm is Charles Terrell, with a cult following all his own.
  29. [29]
    Taking The Jesus Pill - Backstage
    Sep 18, 2019 · Presented by Amoeba Music and Polly Parsons at King King, 6555 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Wed. 9 p.m. Jun. 21-Jul. 26. www.takingthejesuspill.Missing: 2006 | Show results with:2006
  30. [30]
    Pamela Des Barres brings her Led Zeppelin, Doors and Jimi ...
    Mar 13, 2024 · On March 17, Des Barres will return to the legendary West Hollywood venue for a live show called 'Take Another Little Piece of My Heart.' ...
  31. [31]
    PAMELA DES BARRES Returns By Popular Demand To ... - SRO PR
    Jan 9, 2024 · The producer of “Take Another Little Piece of My Heart” is Polly Parsons, daughter of the legendary Gram Parsons. “Pamela's insight and love is ...
  32. [32]
    Daddy Van Productions - LSA Online - LSA Directory
    Daddy Van Productions. 1013 Penion Dr, Austin, TX 78748, USA. www.DaddyVan ... Polly Parsons, Co-Owner, Producer. Profile: Original video content ...
  33. [33]
    Meet Sound As Ever
    ### Summary of Sound As Ever
  34. [34]
    Sound as Ever | Fine Made Goods for the Mindful
    **Summary of Sound As Ever Launch:**
  35. [35]
    Blitzen Trapper, Alberta Cross, Members of Fleet Foxes and More to ...
    Feb 10, 2012 · The new Gram Parsons Foundation will celebrate its official launch with two events in Austin, TX around the SXSW music conference.Missing: relaunch | Show results with:relaunch
  36. [36]
    Interviews | MusicforGood
    Gram Parsons' daughter offers aid to ailing musicians, relaunches Foundation at SXSW. By Laura Ferreiro. Polly Parsons was just 7 years old when her father ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  37. [37]
    Gram Parsons Foundation: Celebrity Supporters - Look to the Stars
    His only child, Polly Parsons, has been working with artists and musicians in recovery for over 13 years. She is the President of the Foundation and is also the ...Missing: website | Show results with:website
  38. [38]
    Charity Events To Launch Gram Parsons Foundation - Look to the ...
    Motivated by the desire to assist the musical and artistic community, the Gram Parsons Foundation will providing solutions to drug and alcohol addiction ...
  39. [39]
    Sober Living Dealt Splash of Cold Water - The Austin Chronicle
    Sep 17, 2010 · Drawing on the accomplishments of the women's residence, owner Polly Parsons opened a second facility earlier this year – this one for men, ...Missing: female | Show results with:female
  40. [40]
    Parsons' resurrection - Los Angeles Times
    Dec 9, 2004 · Not only that, Parsons signed on to be a “Jesus Pill” producer -- and a dancer in the show. Advertisement. In “Jesus Pill,” Polly saw her ...
  41. [41]
    Charlie Terrell - Biography - IMDb
    Attending one of its early performances was Polly Parsons ... The two started dating and eventually married, and together founded Daddy Van Productions ...
  42. [42]
    How a beloved L.A. record store unearthed a long-lost Gram ...
    Nov 20, 2023 · Gram Parsons' only child, Polly Parsons, is no stranger to her father's ghost. ... born, Polly surveys the scene around her, which is still ...