Gram Parsons tribute band to play near Lyndhurst

  • 2023-08-31
A Cleveland-based band that plays tribute to Gram Parsons is coming to Cleveland Heights, a short distance from Lyndhurst.

Brent Kirby is the frontman of The New Soft Shoe, a band dedicated to covering the catalog of Gram Parsons. The New Soft Shoe was established in 2010, and since then have played venues such as the Rock Hall, enjoy a residency at Forest City Brewery, appeared at Parson’s childhood home, Gram Parsons Pull, and performed throughout the area in venues such as the Beachland Ballroom and the Happy Dog.

Although they do a deep dive in Parson’s catalog, they also put their own interpretation on his classic songs from his tenure with the International Submarine Band, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers, as well as the material he developed as a solo act. A native of Florida, Parsons is credited with popularizing the music genre that came to be known as “Cosmic American Music,” a mix of rock, folk, soul, rhythm and blues, and country.

Kirby says the band began play Gram’s material just for fun, and had no plans to stick around for years. However, they began to build a following and found themselves making monthly appearances in the region. They took their name from a track on “GP,” an album Parsons released in 1973.

The New Soft Shoe will play at the Evans Amphitheater in Cain Park in Cleveland Heights this Sunday, September 3. Events like this are often promoted by organizers who use poster printing to create attractive advertising.