Musician, Inventor, Craftsman: Gene Parsons

A brief portrait of Gene Parsons, inventor of the Stringbender. (www.stringbender.com)
From wikipedia: Gene Victor Parsons is an American drummer, banjo player, guitarist, singer-songwriter, and innovative engineer, best known for his work with The Byrds from 1968 to 1972. Parsons has also released solo albums and played in bands including Nashville West, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Parsons Green. Parsons is credited with inventing the B-Bender (also known as the StringBender) along with Clarence White and the device is often referred to as the Parsons/White B-Bender, a trademarked name"
All musical material written and performed by Gene Parsons. Used with permission.
Shot on Red Epic MX in 2012. Remastered in Resolve with IPP2 and Premiere Pro, 2019

[@hooragood]

Sent my martin across the ocean 20 years ago to gene and it came back with an acoustic stringbender. Couldn't be happier!

[@MrPhilfridge]

Gene's an amazing guy, a ex Byrd to boot. Long may he run !

[@royrcf]

Fascinating film,

[@Maxx-s7d]

I met Gene in May 73 at City Hall Newcastle UK after a concert. What a talented and down to earth human being.

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

Could sit and listen to Gene for hours!

[@susanthomas2001]

Love to see such accomplishment in a person. The banjo is beautiful, but I will never forget the echoey, almost surreal sound of Gene playing his pedal steel to an empty hall (formerly the library in Mendocino) in the late seventies. Truly an epic memory,

[@larrypaul8688]

Always thought that Gene is one of the most well rounded, talented people in the music business. This video demonstrates his breadth and depth of talent. Thanks for posting.

[@loumndzbl7680]

A great friend of Clarence White more like a brother like Roland White!!

[@munimathbypeterfelton6251]

Many guitarists changed the way the instrument sounded based on their styles of play. Gene Parsons (and Clarence White) changed the way the guitar sounded thanks to their invention of the string bender!

[@banjoist123]

I just saw Marty Stuart last week here in Dallas playing the Tele that Gene put the first b bender in. Clarence would be proud.

[@eastwest42286]

@@banjoist123 I’m really happy that Marty is keeping Clarence’s legacy alive.

[@stevelambert5051]

Gene is and always has been a remarkable fellow

[@michaelmattichiii1595]

Gene is extremely gifted a major talent!!

[@JanJohanssonmusic]

great video

[@lavallee1963]

Absolutely fantastic !!!!

[@skydogz1]

Awesome vid !

[@stevey5386]

Excellent look at an amazing talent!

[@stephenremington8448]

Impressive man! Looks like a Forged In Fire contestant as well. I have been down Newhall Street, Birmingham many times! He would have loved the museum that used to be there, they had a real full size steam loco, also a giant stationary engine with a massive flywheel.

[@genemyersmyers6710]

Gene i knew i was in good hands when i found out my surgens dad was a mill wright.

[@chrisfinnegan8370]

Wow , very funny interesting guy. Saw the Birds in the early seventies at C W Post , no light show,no explosion, no giant Pig just the best live music I've ever heard !

[@brianglade848]

When Gene was with the Byrd's, he used to sprinkle mesquite on his mustache for that Midwest fresh grillin scent

[@Ziraffe2]

Respect ^ ouh, , , and those albums were great. Gunga Din ✴ excellentoz

[@ElmundotheGreat]

True genius