Dakota Ray Parker
Dakota Ray Parker grew up in the hills of Hillsboro, Kentucky—running ridge lines, splashing through creeks, and living in a kind of wild freedom most kids never know. There were goats, pigs, and packs of dogs shaping the chaos of his childhood, but behind that rugged charm were the realities of foster care, alcoholism, and poverty.
“The feeling of being housed with strangers as a kid… you grow up real quick. And it’s lonely,” Parker says.
Influenced early on by bluegrass pickers, 90s country, and southern gospel, Parker carried music with him when, at 18 and fresh after his mother’s passing, he was offered a job in Indiana. With $40 and an hour to decide, he left Kentucky behind. Years of factory work followed, but nothing filled the void. In 2023, he finally quit to chase music full-time. “The only thing that ever gave me a sense of importance as a kid was music… so that’s what I’m gonna do.”
Dakota Ray Parker
Where you listening from? #originalmusic #indieartist
5 days ago | [YT] | 41
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Dakota Ray Parker
Hey you,
My website, dakotarayparker.com, just underwent a massive overhaul. For shows info and more visit it. If you want to be a part of the team…subscribe to my email list. Trust me it’s worth it…plus it’s free.
Also, thank you!
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 13
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Dakota Ray Parker
You can drag “Cigarette” on July 24th wherever you listen to music 🚬
5 months ago | [YT] | 9
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Dakota Ray Parker
Got caught up in my art 😂
5 months ago | [YT] | 5
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Dakota Ray Parker
Wanted to give yall a sneak peak of the art for “Steel Rain” coming June 20th. Hand drawn by Sam Waller. I love the idea of supporting someone’s art with art! Can’t wait for yall to hear it 🤘🏻
6 months ago | [YT] | 11
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Dakota Ray Parker
We Just hit 20k on @Spotify. Thanks a million yall, love you to the moon 💥🔥
6 months ago | [YT] | 6
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Dakota Ray Parker
This one’s hard to talk about. I wrote Curtain Draws about feeling as though your parents robbed you of your childhood and also something I went through as a kid in foster care—something no child should ever experience. I won’t spell it out, but if you’ve lived through it, you’ll hear it between the lines. This song is for the ones who were hurt and told to stay quiet. For the ones still carrying what wasn’t theirs to carry.
I hope Curtain Draws helps someone feel less alone in their silence. It helped me find mine.
Out Now on all streaming platforms!
8 months ago | [YT] | 6
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Dakota Ray Parker
🚨 NOW INTRODUCING 🚨
THE SURVIVIN' KIND COLLECTIVE
GRASSROOTS. GRIT. GOOD PEOPLE
Survivin' Kind Collective is more than just a street team — it’s a family of folks who believe in the music and want to help spread it far and wide. As a member of the crew, you'll help out by interacting on social media, leaving comments, sharing posts, showing up at shows, helping at the merch table, and just being part of the movement. In return, you'll earn exclusive rewards like early access to new music, special merch, meet-and-greet opportunities, free tickets, and more.
Whether you're boots on the ground or boosting from your phone, being part of the Collective means you’re a key piece of something bigger
Join the Collective Now:
podio.com/webforms/30270503/2542837
8 months ago | [YT] | 6
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Dakota Ray Parker
The Coterie - Kokomo, IN - 01/31
10 months ago | [YT] | 13
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Dakota Ray Parker
🎵OUT NOW🎵
Some things never change—when I was a kid in Kentucky, life felt like a game of survival, and these past few months have felt the same. ‘Surviving Kind (Attic Sessions)’ is raw, real, and out now on all streaming platforms. #countrymusic #rebelontherun #americana #songwriter #survival #originalmusic
10 months ago | [YT] | 7
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