"David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Travis Denning. Written along with Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall, the song describes Denning's experiences with using a fake ID to illegally purchase alcohol underage. Released in March 2018, the song received a positive review from the reviewer Billy Dukes; it also charted on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts in the United States.
| "David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Travis Denning | ||||
| Released | March 2018 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:30[1] | |||
| Label | Mercury Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Jeremy Stover[2] | |||
| Travis Denning singles chronology | ||||
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Content and inspiration
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The song's inspiration stems from a driver's license one of Denning's friends found after it had been lost at a bar; the friend then used it as a fake ID to illegally purchase alcohol under the name and residence of David Ashley Parker of Powder Springs, Georgia, respectively,[3] although Denning stated that he used the license.[4] Denning, who is a professional songwriter, considered writing the song while he was 19 years old and was still using the identity, but decided that waiting until he could write about his actions reflectively was better. The song was written by Denning, Jessi Alexander, and Jon Randall in a single writing session; Denning reported that the song only took about two hours to write.[4]
Lyrically, the song describes the use of the fake ID from Denning's viewpoint.[5] Other themes touched on in the song include being the "hero of the party", and the favorable reaction Denning got from girls by bringing them alcohol.[6] Denning also stated that the song covered all of the details his music reveals about himself, and that he loved the storytelling aspect of the song.[4] "David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs" was released in March 2018[3] on the Mercury Nashville label.[2]
Critical reception
editBilly Dukes, reviewing for Taste of Country, described the song as having a "country-rock package" and that he considered the song to be "real country", although noting that some listeners might find the lyrical content objectionable. He also gave the song a positive review, stating that it "hit the mark".[6] The song's quirkiness and storytelling have also been noted by reviewers.[4]
Music video
editA music video, directed by Justin Clough,[3] was created to accompany the song. In the video, a college student is shown purchasing alcohol underage and taking it to a party, where he and his alcohol are positively received. The party is then broken up by police, who place the protagonist in handcuffs. The video features the real-life David Ashley Parker, who portrays a liquor store clerk.[7]
Charts
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Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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References
edit- ^ "David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs". Amazon. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. September 4, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 5, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c Carr, Courtney (July 12, 2018). "Travis Denning Puts the Real 'David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs' in Music Video". The Boot. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Reuter, Annie (May 11, 2018). "Travis Denning is Hoping to Meet the Real 'David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs'". Sounds Like Nashville. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ^ "Travis Denning Tells His Story with His Debut Song, David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs" (press release). Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom. May 23, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Dukes, Billy (July 30, 2018). "Travis Denning's 'David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs' Is Real!". Taste of Country. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ^ Laffner, Lauren (July 13, 2018). "Travis Denning Heads to College for 'David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs' Video". Sounds Like Nashville. Archived from the original on July 21, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- ^ "Travis Denning Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ "Travis Denning Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
External links
edit- Lyrics of the song from Genius