Kat Parsons makes her recording debut with ten original songs firmly in the female singer/songwriter tradition. The album is produced by Ralph Covert, leader of the Bad Examples. Her young, fresh, emotive voice delivers her lyrics of identity and perseverance. The core of Kat Parsons' live band is guitarist Tom Barrett and bassist Brian Cohen, both of whom are featured throughout Framing Caroline. Rob Newhouse, lead guitarist of The Bad Examples and formerly of The Elvis Brothers, contributes both fretwork and two turns at the piano. Ron Barnes of Middle 8 drums on all tracks. The well-rehearsed outfit recorded the entire album at Mark Schwarz's UberStudio (Chicago) in just two sessions with practically no overdubs. The Celebrity Cafe (an online publication) honored "Framing Caroline" with the award "Album of The Day" for Dec. 17, 1999!

Kat Parsons performs regularly in the Chicago area and has also toured in the mid-Atlantic region and in England.

The story behind Kat Parsons' new album, No Will Power, is nearly as interesting as the album itself.
Kat let her loyal fanbase know that she was ready to record her first album of new material since the national release of Framing Caroline on Chicago indie label, Waterdog Music. Soon thereafter, she received hundreds of emails from fans pledging financial support and offering to pre-purchase the unrecorded disc in hopes of making the project a reality. This unusual financial partnership between artist and fan raised enough money for Kat to record No Will Power, which is scheduled for a March 2005 U.S. release.

In addition to Kat's own vocals, piano and guitar, No Will Power features performances by Michael Chaves (John Mayer, Sarah McLachlan, Rufus Wainwright), Joe Ayoub (Liz Phair), Chris Opperman (Steve Vai), screen-actor Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend's Wedding, Low and Sweet Orchestra), and production by Paul Maylone (Junkie XL) and Geza X (Meredith Brooks, Tyler Hilton).

Kat spends much of her time touring and has shared the bill with and opened shows for artists including Jim White, The Fixx, Dave Mason, Maria Muldaur, Spin Doctors, The Knack, Jonatha Brooke, Shannon McNally, Lori McKenna, Tristan Prettyman and Charlotte Martin. Kat's songs have also been featured on singer-songwriter compilations in the UK, US, and France.

Kat's been dubbed a "modern day Carole King" and has received praise from publications including The Washington Post ("her songs possess a fiery spirit") The Onion, Chicago Tribune's Metromix, featured on One Way Magazine's compilation, Music Connection and Songwriter's Monthly as well as airplay from stations including XM's Unsigned Channel (where Kat's competed against herself for the Top 3 "Most Played" slots), WRNR, WBEZ the BBC and WLUW. Furthermore, Kat and her music have appeared on MTV, Wild Chicago, Fox TV, Food Network, and KTLA-TV Los Angeles. A recent review of Kat's live show stated, "Kat Parsons played her acoustic heart out on a gigantic stage only to dominate every inch of it."

Kat is currently featured on a commercial spot for Baldwin Pianos & Gibson Musical Instruments, and she is endorsed by Yamaha and Audix, who have named her an "Influential Emerging Artist."

Compilations / rarities:

Niteskool Project 1999 (Niteskool Productions, USA)
Released May 1999
Includes the song "Framing Caroline"
More info: www.nikeskool.com

Songwriters Cafe Volume 1 (Yew Tree Records, UK)
Released October 2000
More info: www.songwriterscafe.net

Trunkstock: Artist Sampler Volume 1 (Trunkstock Music Group, USA)
Released November 2000
More info: www.trunkstock.com

Doug Hoekstra Combo - Live at Sal's Music Emporium (Hinah Records, France)
Released May 2001, limited edition
Includes previously unreleased "Standing Still" (Kat Parsons) & backing vocals
More info: www.hinah.com

Comes With a Smile (Issue 7, UK compilation)
Released March 2001
Kat sings backing vocals on Doug Hoekstra's song "If the World Was Blind"

Kat also appears on these albums:

Rebecca's Statue - "Drinking from the Water Clock" (Livin' Live Records, USA)
Released October 2000
Kat sings backing vocals.
More info: www.thestatue.net

Doug Hoekstra - "Around the Margins" (Inbetweens, IRCD-008, USA & Europe)
Released March 2001