TEXARKANA, Texas - Parson B and the Part Time Sinners may be led by preacher Barry Bobbitt, but that won't stop them from pleasing you with a diverse array of music, including outlaw country.
A steady Texarkana music scene presence for about two-and-a-half years, the band performs Saturday night at the Scottie's Grill patio, and band leader Bobbitt says they'll have a different mix of songs to play than their Scottie's pre-Christmas show. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Bobbitt does lead vocals and lead guitar, and he's joined by David Palmore on lead vocals and guitar, Tony Paschal on vocals and lead guitar, Glenn Smith on bass and Don Adams on drums.
For Bobbitt, getting this band going was a means to get back to something he loved doing: making music.
"It started because I had stopped doing music for 20 years, probably 21 years, and decided it was time for me to start doing it again," said Bobbitt. He put the feelers out on social media, which brought a bass player and the band's first drummer.
Then Palmore, a friend, signed on; Bobbitt wanted him to join on vocals. "He actually shares a lot of the load of singing with me," Bobbitt said. Longtime guitarist Paschal joined, and Adams arrived as the new drummer this past year.
"The music part of it to me was the most important part. The passion. All of the guys in the band, they share the same passion I do as far as playing music, being able to get up and create things," the preacher and singer said. Making music is important to all of them and they have a drive to do it.
"If it were possible for us to play every weekend, we would," Bobbitt said.
They do some originals, which they'll record for an album this year, but most of the live set consists of covers.
"We do a lot of Texas country, outlaw country, but we do expand off into some rock and classic rock and Southern rock," said Bobbitt, who turned to music rather than sports when he encountered some medical setbacks as a young teen. He was in a body cast for a year, and he picked up the guitar and then the bass, performing with friends Mark Braley and Greg Lynch before stopping for many years.
"It's like one of those itches you have that you have to scratch," Bobbitt said about getting back to music.
Parson B adds a few pop songs to the mix, too. They want to make it a little different than what's expected. They don't want to be pigeonholed. Bobbitt credits Paschal with keeping it eclectic, along with Smith.
"We like to throw little surprises in here," Bobbitt said. They may take a traditional song and put their own touch on it.
He aimed to get back to playing music for a couple of reasons - namely, two contemporary musicians. For one thing, he was inspired by seeing Aaron Watson perform. "He is a man of faith and he was sharing that during the concert," Bobbitt recalled. "And I realized there was a way for me to do music and still not damage the other part of what I do."
Another inspiration was Cody Jinks, whose music Bobbitt has listened to for a long time. "It just inspired me to want to get back up and do it," he said.
Does his faith inform what he plays musically? He's mindful of the message they put out with their performances. They want to keep it positive and strive to be a family-friendly band. They play venues where children can go.
But there are songs Parson B and the Part Time Sinners play that people might not expect him to do.
"They talk about drinking and things, but it's all just real life stuff," Bobbitt said, "that even people go to church battle, too."
(Cover: $5. More info: 903-838-4745. Scottie's Grill is located at 8400 W. 7th St.)