Parker McCollum has had a string of hits at country radio, and could soon have his fifth consecutive No. 1 hit with “What Kinda Man.” The Texan has had success that plenty of artists only dream about in country music, which is interesting since McCollum is no longer certain that he is a country music artist.
“I’ve wanted to be a country singer for as long as I can remember and the more I do this, the more I kind of realize that I may just not be one,” McCollum tells WTVA (via American Songwriter). “The more I try to write country songs and make country records, I feel like the further I get away from what has always made me, me,”
McCollum cites artists like George Strait, Turnpike Troubadours, Willie Nelson, Steve Earle, and more who have inspired him and his music since the beginning, and still inspire him today.
“Country music used to be such a narrow genre,” McCollum shares. “There was a very strict criteria. Nowadays, it’s just not. The criteria is as loose as it’s ever been. The stuff that I’ve been putting down lately, maybe you could call it country music. Maybe it’s Americana. Maybe it’s just music. I don’t know,” he added. “I’ve always wanted to be a country singer but the longer I do it I’m just like maybe I’m not one and that’s okay.”
McCollum has been vocal about his admiration for Strait, and has been fortunate enough to tour with the King of Country Music. Strait has a record-breaking 60 No. 1 singles, a feat that McCollum admits is mind-blowing to him.
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“60 No. 1s are crazy to me,” McCollum tells CMT. “I always knew George had 60. It was like, ‘Well, you’re never gonna have 60.’ So I guess I never really thought about it too much. Now that we have four, I’m only 56 behind him. So I should be able to catch up pretty soon.”
All jokes aside, it’s Strait who has been the most influential in McCollum’s own life and career, more than any other artist.
“What influenced me as a kid, and still does to this day, more than George’s music, is the way that he carries himself behind the scenes, off-stage, as a family man, as a husband,” McCollum tells CMT. “That’s really the part that I try to pay the most attention to when I get the chance to be around him. And I just think that’s so impressive. With 60 No. 1s, the King of Country Music, and as big as an artist and a talent could ever be in this business, and he still carries himself just like a great man. I pay a lot of attention to that.”
McCollum will headline his own What Kinda Man Tour this year. He will also join Strait for all of Strait’s East Coast dates on his Stadium Tour. Find all of his music and upcoming shows at ParkerMcCollum.com.