Deanie Parker’s Lifetime of Soul
The album of Deanie Parker’s musical life began at 926 East McLemore Avenue, the home of Stax Records, where she worked as a songwriter, singer, arranger, collaborator, and publicist. I sat down with her at the same address recently to discuss the many tracks of her storied career. Her experience at Stax through the ’60s and early ’70s prepared her to become a communications and marketing professional and then a nonprofit manager. In 2003, she was named president and CEO of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Stax Music Academy and two years later, executive director of Soulsville USA (now Soulsville Foundation). In between there were hit records and brass notes on Beale Street and Emmys for a documentary she produced.