Travis Parkin
Encyclopedia
Travis John Parkin is a music programmer, public radio personality, artist, graphic designer, and progressive-minded entrepreneur most recognized as the alternating-Thursdays host of Afternoon Freeform (KUNM, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 89.9-FM, and as the founder of Guerrilla Graphix, an original-art and political T-shirt retail operation. He is known for his encyclopedic knowledge of recorded music, his cataloged collection of recordings spanning nearly all genres, and his theme-driven radio programs, peppered with Parkin’s wry brand of sarcasm and political satire. His nationally syndicated music program, The Beat Goes On, features one-hour, theme-based radio shows that are available to public radio stations around the world.
Parkin was born in Gloversville, New York
, and raised in neighboring Johnstown (city), New York
, the son of Italian-immigrant glove factory workers. He grew up listening to his father playing harmonica with a local 1950s Country & Western band. Gloversville, a small town of 10,000, boasted a single radio station, WENT
(1340-AM), which gave Parkin exposure to Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and other country artists of the day.
In the early 1960s, Parkin's family moved 50 miles south to New York’s capital, Albany, where he attended inner-city junior and senior high schools, both with large African-American student populations. It was during this time that he discovered R&B, soul, jazz and gospel. Pee Wee Harris, the father of Parkin's close friend Eddie Harris, was the owner of Albany's only jazz-and-soul record shop, Ten Eyck Records. Parkin's first DJ experience came at age 16 when he cajoled Pee Wee Harris into sponsoring a weekly Friday night soul program on Albany's WABY
(1160-AM). Travis and Eddie co-hosted the show for nearly two years.
A standout student and athlete, Parkin was awarded a State Regents Scholarship and went on to study journalism at the State University of New York at Albany.
as an international stewardess, where he worked onboard Boeing 707
and 747 aircraft between New York and European destinations. Two years after joining the company, he successfully challenged TWA's hiring practices which prohibited the employment of male stewards and became, effectively, the U.S.'s first modern-day male stewardess.
In 1973, Parkin moved to New York's East Village. To fill his time when he was not en route to and from Europe, he took a side job as a cabdriver. He hotwired an 8-track cassette player under the dash of his taxi and arguably became the first NYC cabbie to offer "music on demand" to his passengers. While living in New York, he caught the tail end of the folk music explosion and could frequently be found in folk and jazz clubs in the West Village and Harlem. During his six-year tenure with the airlines, Parkin used his destination layovers in Europe to expand both his awareness and collection of international music.
, went on to co-found and play bass for the experimental alternative rock group Faith No More
.) During that time, Parkin also published a weekly Bay Area guide to punk music performances at both underground and established venues.
In 1984, Parkin opened his first nightclub, The 16th Note, in a vacant San Francisco firehouse on 16th Street in the Mission District. It became the city's first hip-hop and world music night spot. (The Secret History of World Music by Charlie Gillett
credits Parkin, along with world music DJ Jonathan E., with coining the genre term, Worldbeat
.) The Mission was also the home to a large Central- and Latin-American population, which provided Parkin with exposure to many types of Latin music and associated dance forms.
, in 1986 where he and his former wife operated an 11-room bohemian lodging establishment, The Laughing Horse Inn. Described in the New York Times travel section as "a hotel like no other in Taos or anywhere else," the inn's regular guests included experimental composer and musician Laurie Anderson
and actress Goldie Hawn
.
During his time in Taos, he operated Seven Arrows Music, the nation’s first retail mail-order Native American music catalog. While living in northern New Mexico, Parkin was also reintroduced to Country, Alt Country, Western and traditional New Mexican music and from 1991 to 1992 hosted a weekly alternative-country program, “The Radio Ranch,” on KAFR-FM (99.1) in Angel Fire, New Mexico
.
In 1992, he was the key founder and General Partner of Ramona's Dance Hall, a popular, albeit short-lived, Taos nightclub that hosted a number of national acts including Etta James, Asleep at the Wheel, Townes Van Zandt, Sheryl Crow, Eddie Harris, the Glenn Miller Orchestra and J.J. Cale. In 1991, Parkin teamed up with fellow Taos resident and internationally known songwriter and producer, Mentor Williams
(Drift Away
), to write “The Last Time,” a contemporary country ballad purchased by Warner Bros. for a Vince Gill
and Patty Loveless
duet album that was later scrapped.
, in 1993 and launched Guerrilla Graphix, a small, independent graphic design firm specializing in logo and print media design for small businesses and not-for-profit organizations. In 2008, he opened a retail store of the same name in the neighborhood of the University of New Mexico. The Guerrilla Graphix store offers New Mexico’s largest selection of political and original-art T-shirts as well as stickers, postcards and art prints.
In 2004, Parkin joined the volunteer staff at KUNM, New Mexico's largest public radio station. He served as the local host for NPR's nightly news program, All Things Considered
, for nine months before he landed one of the station's coveted DJ positions as a regular host of Afternoon Freeform. Parkin’s program airs on alternating Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 4 PM Mountain Time. His programs typically feature theme-based musical excursions and are laced with political commentary and satire.
Parkin has also served as a substitute host for KUNM's Hot Lixx, All That Jazz, The Blues Show, The Children's Hour, Folk Routes and Overnight Freeform.
In March 2008, Parkin launched The Beat Goes On, a syndicated, one-hour theme-driven music program that is made available free to public radio stations across the U.S. and Canada through the Public Radio Exchange
.
Early years
(NOTE: Much of this history was compiled from interviews with the subject by J.A. Montalbano, a freelance journalist in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who wrote extensively about film and music for The Albuquerque Tribune.)Parkin was born in Gloversville, New York
Gloversville, New York
Gloversville is a city in Fulton County, New York, that was once the hub of America's glovemaking industry with over two hundred manufacturers in Gloversville and Johnstown. In 2000, Gloversville had a population of 15,413. Ten years later, the population had increased to 15,665- History :The...
, and raised in neighboring Johnstown (city), New York
Johnstown (city), New York
Johnstown is a city and the county seat of Fulton County in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 Census, the city had population of 8,511. Recent estimates put the figure closer to 8,100. The city was named by its founder, Sir William Johnson after his son John Johnson...
, the son of Italian-immigrant glove factory workers. He grew up listening to his father playing harmonica with a local 1950s Country & Western band. Gloversville, a small town of 10,000, boasted a single radio station, WENT
WENT
WENT is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Gloversville, New York, USA, the station serves the Albany area. The station is owned by Whitney Radio Broadcasting, Inc and features programing from CNN Radio, CBS Radio and ESPN Radio....
(1340-AM), which gave Parkin exposure to Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and other country artists of the day.
In the early 1960s, Parkin's family moved 50 miles south to New York’s capital, Albany, where he attended inner-city junior and senior high schools, both with large African-American student populations. It was during this time that he discovered R&B, soul, jazz and gospel. Pee Wee Harris, the father of Parkin's close friend Eddie Harris, was the owner of Albany's only jazz-and-soul record shop, Ten Eyck Records. Parkin's first DJ experience came at age 16 when he cajoled Pee Wee Harris into sponsoring a weekly Friday night soul program on Albany's WABY
WABY
WABY is a radio station broadcasting a Adult Standards/MOR format. Licensed to Mechanicville, New York, USA, the station serves the Albany area. The station is currently owned by Anastos Media Group, Inc...
(1160-AM). Travis and Eddie co-hosted the show for nearly two years.
A standout student and athlete, Parkin was awarded a State Regents Scholarship and went on to study journalism at the State University of New York at Albany.
1970s: New York City
In 1970, Parkin was hired by Trans World AirlinesTrans World Airlines
Trans World Airlines was an American airline that existed from 1925 until it was bought out by and merged with American Airlines in 2001. It was a major domestic airline in the United States and the main U.S.-based competitor of Pan American World Airways on intercontinental routes from 1946...
as an international stewardess, where he worked onboard Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
and 747 aircraft between New York and European destinations. Two years after joining the company, he successfully challenged TWA's hiring practices which prohibited the employment of male stewards and became, effectively, the U.S.'s first modern-day male stewardess.
In 1973, Parkin moved to New York's East Village. To fill his time when he was not en route to and from Europe, he took a side job as a cabdriver. He hotwired an 8-track cassette player under the dash of his taxi and arguably became the first NYC cabbie to offer "music on demand" to his passengers. While living in New York, he caught the tail end of the folk music explosion and could frequently be found in folk and jazz clubs in the West Village and Harlem. During his six-year tenure with the airlines, Parkin used his destination layovers in Europe to expand both his awareness and collection of international music.
1980s: West Coast
In 1980, Parkin moved to San Francisco, where he quickly found a home in the emerging punk rock community which was centered in the city's Mission District. In 1981, he opened Dead End Fashions, the West Coast's first punk clothing store. (One of his early employees, Billy GouldBilly Gould
Billy Gould is an American musician and producer. He is noted for playing bass in the band Faith No More.- Faith No More :...
, went on to co-found and play bass for the experimental alternative rock group Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
.) During that time, Parkin also published a weekly Bay Area guide to punk music performances at both underground and established venues.
In 1984, Parkin opened his first nightclub, The 16th Note, in a vacant San Francisco firehouse on 16th Street in the Mission District. It became the city's first hip-hop and world music night spot. (The Secret History of World Music by Charlie Gillett
Charlie Gillett
Charlie Gillett , was a British radio presenter, musicologist and writer, mainly on rock and roll and other forms of popular music...
credits Parkin, along with world music DJ Jonathan E., with coining the genre term, Worldbeat
Worldbeat
Worldbeat is a music genre that primarily refers to a blending of Western pop music with traditional/folk or world music influences...
.) The Mission was also the home to a large Central- and Latin-American population, which provided Parkin with exposure to many types of Latin music and associated dance forms.
Late 1980s/1990s: New Mexico
Parkin moved to Taos, New MexicoTaos, New Mexico
Taos is a town in Taos County in the north-central region of New Mexico, incorporated in 1934. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,700. Other nearby communities include Ranchos de Taos, Cañon, Taos Canyon, Ranchitos, and El Prado. The town is close to Taos Pueblo, the Native American...
, in 1986 where he and his former wife operated an 11-room bohemian lodging establishment, The Laughing Horse Inn. Described in the New York Times travel section as "a hotel like no other in Taos or anywhere else," the inn's regular guests included experimental composer and musician Laurie Anderson
Laurie Anderson
Laura Phillips "Laurie" Anderson is an American experimental performance artist, composer and musician who plays violin and keyboards and sings in a variety of experimental music and art rock styles. Initially trained as a sculptor, Anderson did her first performance-art piece in the late 1960s...
and actress Goldie Hawn
Goldie Hawn
Goldie Jeanne Hawn is an American actress, film director, producer, and occasional singer. Hawn is known for her roles in Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, Private Benjamin, Foul Play, Overboard, Bird on a Wire, Death Becomes Her, The First Wives Club, and Cactus Flower, for which she won the 1969...
.
During his time in Taos, he operated Seven Arrows Music, the nation’s first retail mail-order Native American music catalog. While living in northern New Mexico, Parkin was also reintroduced to Country, Alt Country, Western and traditional New Mexican music and from 1991 to 1992 hosted a weekly alternative-country program, “The Radio Ranch,” on KAFR-FM (99.1) in Angel Fire, New Mexico
Angel Fire, New Mexico
Angel Fire is a village in Colfax County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,048 at the 2000 census. It is a popular ski resort destination, with a base elevation of 8,600 feet and a summit of 10,677 feet with over of skiable terrain.To the north, off U.S...
.
In 1992, he was the key founder and General Partner of Ramona's Dance Hall, a popular, albeit short-lived, Taos nightclub that hosted a number of national acts including Etta James, Asleep at the Wheel, Townes Van Zandt, Sheryl Crow, Eddie Harris, the Glenn Miller Orchestra and J.J. Cale. In 1991, Parkin teamed up with fellow Taos resident and internationally known songwriter and producer, Mentor Williams
Mentor Williams
Mentor Williams is an American songwriter and producer. He is best known for writing "Drift Away", a middle-of-the-road playlist classic performed by Dobie Gray in 1973. He is the brother of famed songwriter Paul Williams.-Background:...
(Drift Away
Drift Away
"Drift Away" is a song written by Mentor Williams and originally recorded by John Henry Kurtz on his 1972 album Reunion. In 1973 the song became Dobie Gray's biggest hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, though it did not enter the charts in the United Kingdom.This song is also a...
), to write “The Last Time,” a contemporary country ballad purchased by Warner Bros. for a Vince Gill
Vince Gill
Vincent Grant "Vince" Gill is an American neotraditional country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s, and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a...
and Patty Loveless
Patty Loveless
Patty Loveless , is an American country music singer.Since her emergence on the country music scene in late 1986 with her first album, Loveless has been one of the most popular female singers of the Neotraditional country movement, although she has also recorded albums in the Country pop and...
duet album that was later scrapped.
1993 - Present: Albuquerque
Parkin moved to Albuquerque, New MexicoAlbuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
, in 1993 and launched Guerrilla Graphix, a small, independent graphic design firm specializing in logo and print media design for small businesses and not-for-profit organizations. In 2008, he opened a retail store of the same name in the neighborhood of the University of New Mexico. The Guerrilla Graphix store offers New Mexico’s largest selection of political and original-art T-shirts as well as stickers, postcards and art prints.
In 2004, Parkin joined the volunteer staff at KUNM, New Mexico's largest public radio station. He served as the local host for NPR's nightly news program, All Things Considered
All Things Considered
All Things Considered is the flagship news program on the American network National Public Radio. It was the first news program on NPR, and is broadcast live worldwide through several outlets...
, for nine months before he landed one of the station's coveted DJ positions as a regular host of Afternoon Freeform. Parkin’s program airs on alternating Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 4 PM Mountain Time. His programs typically feature theme-based musical excursions and are laced with political commentary and satire.
Parkin has also served as a substitute host for KUNM's Hot Lixx, All That Jazz, The Blues Show, The Children's Hour, Folk Routes and Overnight Freeform.
In March 2008, Parkin launched The Beat Goes On, a syndicated, one-hour theme-driven music program that is made available free to public radio stations across the U.S. and Canada through the Public Radio Exchange
Public Radio Exchange
The Public Radio Exchange is a nonprofit web-based platform for digital distribution, review, and licensing of radio programs. The organization claims to be the largest on-demand catalog of public radio programs available for broadcast and Internet use.-Mission:According to PRX's site, its mission...
.