biography
Growing up in the hills of Ohio County, near the bluegrass roots of Bill Monroe in Rosine (not far away in Centertown, Kentucky), I was influenced by the sound of traditional country at an early age. Both my father and my mother had musical talent; whether it was singing, playing a piano, strumming a guitar, or writing a song. It was this musical influence that was later a positive outlet for Scott when his family experienced the pain of alcoholism. My parents divorced and my mother struggled to raise three children on her own. A praying grandmother and mother (altamae.jpg (51343 bytes)as mentioned in my songs Ältie Mae" and Mama's Prayers"on this project) planted a seed in me of whom true hope rests in. Later in his life, this seed blossomed after years of trials, heartaches, and bondages to alcohol and drugs. The Lord had a hand on my life and I accepted the promise of eternal life that God gave through his son, Jesus Christ.
My first musical endeavor was at the age of 15, when I joined a 50's rock and roll band with my sister, Sheila. I had a thirst for traditional country that could not be quenched. At the age of 22, I bought my first guitar and taught myself how to pick out Merle Haggard songs. Unfortunately, my journey in country music lead to a road of bars, drugs and alcohol. As I mentioned in my song "Twelve Steps" I felt these external influences helped me to sing. I had not yet found the peace of God that my grandmother and mother earnestly prayed that I would find.
At the age of 24, I lost my firstborn son. I wrote a song of my first intimate encounter with God. In the song, "The Invitation" I speak of the Lord ministering to me in my time of grief by showing me he could not bring my son back but that I could one day join him in heaven. This is when Isurrendered my heart to the Lord. The tug of country music still pulled at my heart strings for several years. I attempted to write secular country songs with no success--the words never came together. My purpose in life wasn't clear to me. I struggled with the thoughts of disappointing my heavenly father whenever I failed. I just couldn't understand God's gifts of love and mercy.
My song, "When the Light Shines In" speaks of the struggles I experienced at this time. The words, "...the shadows of my life, left it dark, I could not see, I did not know which way to go, or what would become of me" portray my need for a real understanding of the work Christ did at Calvary.
In 1996, the Lord penetrated my soul with His love and mercy. I realized and came to the understanding that all things are possible with God. I was delivered from the bondage of alcoholism and the pains of his past. In the year 2000, the Lord began to inspire me to write gospel music. I often say when singing in churches, "I still like that country sound, but now I am singing born again country songs." I began writing country gospel music and have ministered to many who have experienced the bondage of drugs and alcohol, the loss of someone dear to them, and who seek a peace in their life that the world can not give.
This first CD project "Those Twelve Steps" consists of 9 songs I wrote within the past two years and one song my mother, Beth Parrish, wrote in the 70's. This music is truly from my heart. I will tell anyone this CD is not about making a million but about winning a million to the Lord. My true desire to have these songs minister to those who love a traditional country sound but find peace in the lyrics of hope and faith in Jesus Christ.