Rudy Parris

Rudy Parris (born December 16, 1965) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from California's San Joaquin Valley. He gained national recognition as a contestant on NBC’s The Voice (Season 3) and is known for his work in Country, Blues, Rock, and American roots music, particularly within the Bakersfield sound tradition.

Early life Parris was born and raised in Visalia California. He began studying violin in elementary school before transitioning to guitar during his middle school years. At 17 years old, he was performing regularly at venues throughout Tulare County and the greater Central San Joaquin Valley.

Career

Early career Parris toured as lead guitarist for Hank Williams III in 2003. He later became a regular performer at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in Bakersfield soon after it opened, appearing in multiple shows alongside Owens and participating in several annual Buck Owens Birthday and New Years concerts.

The Voice

Parris was a member of Team Blake Shelton on Season 3. Recordings of his performances, including “Bad Day (The Voice Performance)” and “Every Breath You Take (The Voice Performance),” were digitally released in 2012 by Universal Records.

Parris was involved in the blues music scene both with Ron Thompson and as solo artist. Parris performed on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, sharing stages with artists such as Bobby “Blue” Bland, Taj Mahal, Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Buckwheat Zydeco, and others. He also opened for or performed alongside blues artists including Tommy Castro, Magic Dick, Deanna Bogart, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Tab Benoit, Guitar Shorty, Candye Kane, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, Chris Cain, Coco Montoya, Buddy Miles, Joe Louis Walker, and Bo Diddley. Later work

In 2019, Parris was asked to serve as lead singer for The Buckaroos, the band founded by Buck Owens, with performances scheduled at the Crystal Palace. Engagements planned for 2020 were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Parris is currently performing a Tribute to Merle Haggard with Merle’s bandleader and steel guitarist, Norm Hamlet. Playing alongside Parris is Skip Edwards, former CMA Pianist of the Year

Discography + List of studio albums, with selected details Title Album details Makin' My Way Released: 2016 Label: Warrior Records Formats: CD, digital download+ List of studio albums, with selected details Title Album details Modern Day Cowboy Released: 1994 Guests: JayDee Maness, Side Page, Pat Coil. Producer Michael Ferenci Formats: CD + List of singles, with year released and album name Title Year Album "Every Breath You Take" (The Voice Performance) 2012 Universal Records "Bad Day" (The Voice Performance) 2012 Universal Records "Mama Don't Go" (feat. Jennifer Keel) 2024 Bakersfield Believes

Guest appearances

+ List of guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name Title Year Other artist(s) Album "NeverEndingTrain" 2008 Co-wrote title track. Sang backup vocals Big House "Kern River Blues" 2022 Gregory Porter, Monty Byrom, Amy Adams, Norm Hamlet Kern River Blues "Mento Buru" 2001 Guitar and Mixed Album Mento Buru "Jennifer Keel" 2025 Norm Hamlet, Susan Raye, Johnny Owens, Monty Byrom Bakersfield Believes