Million Dollar Man

By David Lazenby
The Cullman Times

May 16, 2008 07:00 pm

— Ty Parker, a multi-talented musician with enough skills to perform as a one-man band, will lead the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band next year when he takes over as one of the marching ensemble’s drum majors.
Parker, who served as the drum major during his junior and senior years at Vinemont High School, said the new role has been his goal ever since he started school at UA, which awarded Parker a piano scholarship.
After playing alto saxophone in the famous band his freshman year, Parker began climbing the ladder to his new role when he was named as a band section leader last year.
“We’re in charge of warm ups on game day and different things like that,” Parker said about the role that lead to his new gig as a drum major.
As a drum major, Parker said his primary role will involve “being an example for the entire band” which is in its 95th year.
“I try to show the band that I’m there to serve them,” said Parker, 21, who is studying music education at the university.
While drum majors act as the face of most marching bands, Parker said he has no intention of letting his new status go to his head.
“You can’t get a big head and think you’re all high-and-mighty,” Parker said. “The band is as one, and that starts off at the top.”
Although Parker said he is excited about his new role, he admits he will miss marching and playing saxophone for the group.
However, he will continue to make music as a pianist for the UA symphonic band. Also, he plans to begin playing piano this year in the university’s Wood Ensemble.
In addition to playing piano and saxophone, Parker also plays bass clarinet in the Tuscaloosa Wind, a community musical group, and he picks the banjo, which he played in a Future Farmers of America string band that placed third in a state competition.
“I’m kind of a jack of all trades, master of none,” Parker said. Now, he said he is focusing on the piano since it is the instrument with which he earned a scholarship.
In regard to his musicianship, Parker said he owes a debt of gratitude to his mother, Beth, who enrolled him in piano lessons as a boy, and Glenda Raney, the woman who taught him to play.
“She played a huge role in my life musically,” Parker said about Raney who taught him for six years. “She really motivated me.”
Parker added it was Raney who influenced him to pursue a career in music.
“It sounds kind of sappy, but I realized I could touch someone’s life the way she touched mine,” he said.
Parker said he also was influenced by his older sister, Leigh who was also a member of the VHS Marching Band.
Parker’s mother, Beth, a VHS teacher, said a lot of effort was put fourth by Parker to get to where he is today. “He has worked really hard,” said Beth, who added her all of her children, including Parker’s twin brother, Tad, are musically inclined.
“They’ve all been singing as long as I can remember,” she said.
Parker also said the Lord had a hand in getting him where he is today.
“This year as drum major I want to let Jesus Christ’s light shine through me so the band can see it,” Parker said. “I want to lead with his example.”