Biography
The country outfit South Sixty-Five, subsequently billed as South 65, supplies admirers of boy bands with a route into country music that stops short of full immersion. Pop and rock accents permeate the sound sufficiently to attract devotees of the Backstreet Boys, *N Sync, and O-Town. The lineup comprises vocalists Brenton “Brent” Michael Parker, Jerimy Pat Koeltzow, Alfred “Doug” Douglas Urie, Lance Aaron Leslie, and Stephen Phillip Parker. Foundations for the group trace to Delious Kennedy of the R&B quartet All-4-One. Atlantic Records Nashville president Rick Blackburn supported the project, enabling Kennedy to select the initial pair of members—brothers Stephen and Brent—through targeted recruitment. A national search then located the remaining three: Jerimy, Doug, and Lance. Assembly, refinement, and live performances were all complete by 1997.
California natives Brent and Stephen were born on March 8, 1977, and January 31, 1970, respectively. Professional singing began in early childhood for both, a natural extension of their upbringing within the family’s Parker Gospel Group. Separate engagements with additional ensembles preceded their eventual participation in South Sixty-Five.
Doug’s birth occurred on June 27, 1976, in Claremore, OK. Childhood listening habits revolved around country radio hits, yet an automotive mechanic’s trade initially took precedence until musical aspirations overrode concerns of financial stability—a choice his father fully grasped. The elder Urie passed away shortly before Doug’s first recording contract materialized. Jerimy, born June 21, 1977, in Hobart, OK, absorbed country music television and harbored ambitions of stardom; construction work occupied him temporarily. In addition to vocals, he commands drums, guitar, and piano. Dallas native Lance entered the world on November 14, 1976. Paternal musical enthusiasm prompted early involvement in a middle-school ensemble, followed by high-school choir participation that included backup duties for Garth Brooks. That experience crystallized Lance’s commitment to a performance career, which he advanced through musical revues at a Texas amusement park.
The self-titled debut album appeared in 1998. Reviewers occasionally noted an excess of pop leanings, though audiences responded favorably. Preparation for the follow-up, Dream Large, incorporated greater country emphasis, and the album reached stores in 2001. Doug Urie departed that June to pursue a solo path.
California natives Brent and Stephen were born on March 8, 1977, and January 31, 1970, respectively. Professional singing began in early childhood for both, a natural extension of their upbringing within the family’s Parker Gospel Group. Separate engagements with additional ensembles preceded their eventual participation in South Sixty-Five.
Doug’s birth occurred on June 27, 1976, in Claremore, OK. Childhood listening habits revolved around country radio hits, yet an automotive mechanic’s trade initially took precedence until musical aspirations overrode concerns of financial stability—a choice his father fully grasped. The elder Urie passed away shortly before Doug’s first recording contract materialized. Jerimy, born June 21, 1977, in Hobart, OK, absorbed country music television and harbored ambitions of stardom; construction work occupied him temporarily. In addition to vocals, he commands drums, guitar, and piano. Dallas native Lance entered the world on November 14, 1976. Paternal musical enthusiasm prompted early involvement in a middle-school ensemble, followed by high-school choir participation that included backup duties for Garth Brooks. That experience crystallized Lance’s commitment to a performance career, which he advanced through musical revues at a Texas amusement park.
The self-titled debut album appeared in 1998. Reviewers occasionally noted an excess of pop leanings, though audiences responded favorably. Preparation for the follow-up, Dream Large, incorporated greater country emphasis, and the album reached stores in 2001. Doug Urie departed that June to pursue a solo path.
Albums
