Meet Kent Parker - musician, songwriter, recording artist, and founder of Round Barn Music LLC
I was born and raised on a farm in southern Indiana, about twenty miles northeast of New Harmony. After a long career as a business executive, I now devote my time to songwriting and music recording, based in Nashville, Tennessee.
My connection to New Harmony began in childhood, when I would often spend time here with my family. Even then, I felt drawn to its distinct energy and strong sense of community. About twenty-three years ago, my wife Laurie and I established a retreat home here, along with a songwriting studio. It has become a creative haven where I can step back from daily life to focus on writing and demo recording. Much of my work—including my debut album, The Way—was shaped in this setting. That album reflects the values that drive my songwriting: careful observation, honest storytelling, and authenticity.
Beyond music, I’m deeply involved in New Harmony’s cultural life. I serve as president of the Kent and Laurie Parker Family Foundation, chair the Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation, and sit on the boards of Harmonie Associates, the Rapp-Owen Granary Foundation, and the Hoosier Salon. In the past, I also served for several years on the board of the New Harmony Project.
For me, New Harmony represents a rare convergence of creativity and community—a place where inspiration naturally turns into meaningful work.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Perfect happiness for me is a blend of connection, creativity, and peace. It’s spending time with loved ones—family, friends, and community—immersed in meaningful conversation, laughter, and shared experiences. It’s also the quiet satisfaction of creating something deeply personal, whether it’s a song, a story, or a project that enriches the lives of others. Happiness includes being in nature, whether exploring the countryside, traveling, or simply observing the rhythm of the seasons, and having the freedom to live deliberately, with purpose and curiosity, while appreciating the world around me.
Which living person(s) do you most admire?
The living person I most admire is my father, who will soon turn 90. His steady, supportive hand has guided me throughout my life, shaping not only who I am but how I approach work, creativity, and relationships. His integrity, patience, and quiet wisdom have been a model for me in every endeavor, showing how consistency, thoughtfulness, and character matter more than recognition or accolades.
Beyond my father, I admire individuals who combine vision with integrity—people who achieve excellence in their fields without sacrificing their principles. In music, I admire artists who innovate while remaining true to their authentic voice. In life and philanthropy, I respect those who create lasting impact quietly and thoughtfully, investing in solutions, community, and culture in ways that uplift others and stand the test of time.
Who are your favorite writers?
I spend much of my reading time on history, and I admire authors like David McCullough as well as documentary producers such as Ken Burns, whose work brings the past vividly to life. Beyond history, a large part of my creative energy is devoted to writing music. I greatly admire songwriters who have built a legacy of unique and compelling storytelling—artists like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty, Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Neil Young, Merle Haggard, and Tom T. Hall, among many others. I also enjoy and draw inspiration from more abstract and progressive approaches to songwriting, from artists such as David Byrne, Jack White, Beck Hansen, and Justin Vernon, whose work pushes boundaries and challenges traditional forms of narrative and musical expression, inviting reflection and contemplation through their art form.
What does the New Harmony Project mean to you?
The New Harmony Project, to me, represents the power of creativity and storytelling to nurture and uplift the human spirit. I see a strong correlation with songwriting—both are about observing life, exploring human experience, and conveying it in ways that connect, inspire, and resonate with others. The project embodies the potential for stories and creative expression to engage people deeply, sparking reflection, curiosity, and a sense of shared humanity.
To me, the essence of New Harmony lies in its commitment to nurturing the human spirit. New Harmony Project has a long history of serving this same ideal, and the New Harmony experience is a unique part of the “secret sauce” that makes it what it is.
