Parker McCollum Comes Home: “What Kinda of Man” Tour Rocks Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Parker McCollum came home this past Saturday. To the same stage, at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Texas, where he made his first appearance in 2011, as a fresh faced graduate of College Park High School. He’s a Montgomery County, Texas product. Conroe birthed. It’s a place where, well, it’s unique. The reverence for Veterans, The Texas Flag, Law and Order, the trees, great infrastructure, music, and not to mention great fishing on the area’s lakes. It’s where Parker grew up, surrounded by family and friends, as he started on his musical journey, playing local venues while still in high school. Of course McCollum’s fans now fill huge venues and arenas with his legions searching for that missing piece in their lives that helps in healing. Music that is played on radios, tablet computers, smart phones, YouTube, and countless other ways. His latest tour ‘What Kinda Man,’ is so representative of the guy McCollum has become; a loving husband, dedicated father, and a constant presence on the road, able to occasionally swing by Conroe, and say ‘Hi’ to The Fam, then get back on the road to bring joy and meaning to the next locale of followers dedicated to his life’s work.

His music is pure and authentic, crossing genres that others might hesitate to venture, but his natural ability to channel Willie, Buck, and Porter; plus add smidges of Pat Green, Chris Knight, as well as dashes of some Blues, plus some Dylan, Van Zandt, and Earle, and you have a recipe that yields for greatness. Who knows how many Hall of Fames Parker will wind up in? And many a struggling singer will look at his career so-far, and call it a lifetime's worth of achievement, yet the man's still only in his early 30s. With McCollum, it’s as if he reaches into the souls of his fans and massages their hearts, now setting the example of living a life for the good, for the better. Taking care of family. Constantly improving to be that better man that his family deserves. That’s the way he was raised; love of family, hardwork, and discipline in his profession to constantly be creative to share his music and uplift his followers.

Very few fans sat during Parker’s performance. From the first row to the lawn at Cynthia Woods, fans were standing to get a glimpse of their hometown hero. There was no need for him to coax anyone to sing along, for at times the fans were louder than he was. Each song in the set seemed to complement the next, from ‘My Blue’ to ‘Big Sky,’ and ‘Meet You in the Middle,’ to ‘Young Man’s Blues,’ whoever arranged the flow should get a medal for most effective impartation.

“It’s good to be home,” said McCollum. “Damn good to be home.”

The crowd was excited to hear the man from Montgomery County. He admittedly plays better on Texas soil, and has a majesty about him, his stage presence, confidence in his ability, and bravado. Parker’s band and background singers know their stuff, and own the stage in their own rights as well. There are multiple dimensions in the performance; you have the sights, the sound, the waves bouncing off your chest. It’s exhilarating. The lyrics invoke thought. How can I make myself better?

His tribute song to his wife Hallie Ray Light McCollum, ‘Hope That I’m Enough,’ was sung with the most heartfelt of intentions. It’s like Parker lays his soul out for inspection, begging God and his loving wife for forgiveness in moments of vulnerability and self-doubt that visits each man at times. And let’s not forget the incredible expectations that are placed on Parker, and the pressures that come along with that. It takes extreme courage to stay away from vices that once haunted him, now that the responsibilities of family are upon him. It truly requires a mindset change to lead a life free from self-harm, and a willingness to love life with that special someone, and McCollum has embraced it. His song ‘Rest of My Life,’ reflects his experiences and admission that his old lifestyle was not working, and Hallie, his fiancé at the time; he saw her as a source of inspiration for a healthy lifestyle that has made him a better family man and entertainer all-in-one.

‘What Kinda Man,’ McCollum’s newest ode to finally burying the devils of his past, is most certainly some of his finest work. He proclaims the 2025 Tour his best ever, and it’s a journey of re-discovery to simpler times of innocence, finding a rebirth of faith, and making an enduring commitment to live free from the harmful effects of hard living. Parker is lucky. Many, don’t have a Hallie in their lives, that unshakeable ‘Rock’ that he clings to when the waves come crashing in, an unyielding life-giving presence, that can make you wanna say, “I want to do the right thing, I want to live for the future; to be a better husband, father, and the man that God wants me to be.” That’s why McCollum’s music has a meaningful message behind it. There are life lessons there that can be used in programs to help people all over the country to overcome their own demons, from PTSD Combat Veterans to the homeless.

As he ages, Parker’s music will get better. He writes with heart, and with a deep commitment to his talent, keeping in mind the mission to entertain his fans and thus instilling purpose in their life commitments. The bond is there, it's been seen, and it's real. McCollum’s fans make his show, their energy is his motivation. The raw emotion is incredible, and from start to finish it’s life-changing. Everyone from The Pit to the Lawn at Cynthia Woods was standing, picking up what Parker was putting down. Even the babies in the crowd loved Parker.

It was special to see The Woodlands Township Board, Chairman Brad Bailey, Vice Chairman Craig Eissler, and Secretary Linda Nelson, present a proclamation that designated September 6, 2025 as ‘Parker McCollum Day’ in The Woodlands, as well as presenting a Key to The Woodlands Township, to balance out the key from The City of Conroe in his backpack he takes in his worldly travels. Bailey praised McCollum for taking the Montgomery County brand nationwide, which truly humbled the man.

Parker relayed some history on his first days at school in The Woodlands, which were difficult for him, hardly making one friend, but he still maintains close contact with about four friends from his College Park High School days.

McCollum is still focused on the ‘What Kinda Man’ tour, which runs until Halloween, then it gives ways to some rest and relaxation at the family’s East Texas Ranch, and a date with a deer stand, which may result in some Christmas tamales for the McCollum’s. His Down to Earth appearance screams authentic, Texan and American Made. And it shows in his music. The possibilities are endless with McCollum, Christmas, Gospel, Texas philanthropy, who knows? He rocked The Woodlands Saturday night, in a performance that he and his posse put on that won’t be forgotten for a long time. At least until the next time Parker McCollum comes for a visit with The Fam. And don’t think you’re not family … in Montgomery County, We All Are!

Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net