Since 2001, Rupert Parker has been living and working in the United States. He has taken his harp and music across the pond and is wowing an ever growing audience there. He has released six albums so far. Two, “Introducing” and “The Romantic Collection”, continue his love affair with the great songs of the past, and are selling in ever greater numbers as the US public become more and more aware of his talent. To these he has added a collection of his own music, “River”, recorded using a six piece band as backing, and a new CD, “Waterfall”, which is the first recording in what is planned to be a six-series collection of relaxation music for massage, meditation, prayer, sleep and other gently introspective pastimes. The electric harp is perfect for soothing the soul, and Rupert’s mastery of his chosen instrument and the sensitivity of his compositions, in “Waterfall” as in all his other recordings, makes this a collection to eagerly anticipate. “The Christmas Album”, a beautiful adaptation of some festive classics as well as several original pieces, and “Resting In God’s Love”, tender versions of wonderful old hymns, released in conjunction with Heartbeat Records, make up Rupert’s burgeoning body of work in the US. While in the US, Rupert has concentrated on trying to expand his music company, Mabley Street USA, Inc., as well as enjoying being a daddy to two beautiful daughters, Abbie and Charlotte, and loving husband to his wonderful (and beautiful!) wife, Lisa. During this time, however, there has also been sadness, with the untimely death of Roland Harris, Rupert’s best friend and business partner. It is with Roland that Rupert’s music has been recorded, and the world is a lesser place without Roland’s talent and humanity. With new releases and new recordings the future is looking bright and busy. How did it start? For many years Rupert Parker has attracted increasing attention as the general public and the media have become aware of his unusual style and not inconsiderable musical talent. He is a musician who defies categorization both as a composer and a performer. As a leading exponent of the electric harp he combines the classical tradition of the oldest form of stringed instrument and his academic background with the innovation of modern musical technology and the attitudes of a contemporary record producer. Rupert was born in Rhodesia of English parents. When he was six years old his family was forced to return to England as a result of the unstable political situation. The Parkers relocated to West Sussex, England where Rupert began his basic musical training with a local harp teacher. The choice of instrument was an early indication of his desire to be \'different\' or, as he would put it \'as awkward as possible\'. Rupert\'s studies developed through the junior section of the Royal College of Music - studying with Sioned WIlliams - and then to full acceptance at the RCM to work under Marisa Robles. He declined this opportunity in favor of the broader approach of a degree course at Brimingham University. He studied the harp with Robert Johnston and also benefited form a grounding in composition, orchestration, and conducting (not to mention the fact that at Birmingham there as more chance to play rugby and cricket). In addition to academic study Rupert gained considerable practical experience - firstly with The Brighton Youth Orchestra and later on recording sessions and in concert with many styles of music.He has worked with artists as diverse as Evelyn Glennie, Peter Green, Chas and Dave, and Paul Weller. His knowledge of the music industry is broad - taking in aspects of other instrumental techniques (piano, clarinet, guitar - whilst also being involved in professional recordingand production , composing to TV and film (Shell and Midlands BankPromos, Y Plan exercise videos, various TV Themes etc.), publishing,and sacking management companies. The association with The Salvi Electric Harp began in 1987.Rupert was in the Salvi showroom buying an acoustic harp when henoticed the electric model which was in a corner and apparently unused. On further investigation it seemed that nobody from the classical world was really interested in it or, indeed knew how to use it properly.Rupert having shown great interest, an appointment was made for him to meet Mr. Victor Salvi (creator of the electric harp and owner of the largest harp manufacturing company in the world). Rupert\'s enthusiasm so impressed Mr. Salvi that he was immediately invited to present the electric harp at an international harp congress in Vienna. He has been playing it ever since and continues to champion the contemporary outlook of Salvi Harps. Rupert\'s career as a recording artist started in 1993 when,unable to convince the major companies to invest in a new idea of which they did not seem to understand the potential, he resolved to force the matter independently. Having established his own record label he literally took the music to the people by organizing public appearances at which he played the harp live in virtually any location where there were potential customers - records stores, railway stations, and (of course) shopping centres. Product was handled in the normal way through a major national record distributor to the retailers in the vicinity of the event. Rupert quickly became very much in demand as the shopmanagers discovered just how much could be sold in this way. (As an example - a two day promotion at Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex, England, yieled in excess of 1,500 sales.) He effectively created a new system of marketing at the same time as providing a very popular form of free entertainment. Sales of Rupert Parker albums and CD\'s are continuously increasing. With a wide range of styles from gentle solo harp cover versions to original, melodic instrumental pop/rock the appeal is there for a very broad audience ofall ages and musical preferences. His artist profile has grown steadilythrough television appearances in the UK - such as The Pebble Mill Show, 11thhour, and Sunday - and considerable amount of radio exposure. Rupert is a firm favourite of Radio 2 having been invited for interviews many times and been a regular guest of The Radio 2 Roadshow around thecountry in England. He is very popular with local radio stations - both as a performer and for chat shows. Even Radio 1 has played Rupert\'s music - with Chris Evans making his inimitable comments on the breakfast show. Live concerts have included natnional tours and appearances at The South Bank Centre and The New London Theatre. These have always had a good response as \'An Evening With Rupert Parker\' is guaranteed to be a varied and entertaining event. Rupert diversified his style again with the “Original Works” and “Classical Works” albums. The first is Rupert’s own work, the latter is a collection of classical pieces - some well known, and some more unusual – both albums being arranged for and played entirely on The Salvi Electric Harp. With many layers of sounds the effect is of a “harp orchestra” but with everything originating from one instrument and one player. These albums have proven to be very popular both with people whose taste is for an original sound and approach and who would not normally listen to an “ordinary” classical recording. With “On My Own Again” Rupert returns to the beauty if he solo harp, the album featuring really popular love songs again. In October 2000, there will (hopefully!) be a double release, not a double album but two separate works. One will be a recording of Rupert Live in concert, made at The Arts Centre, Horsham, UK. The second, entitled “From Dawn Till Dusk”, again features Rupert’s own compositions, although this time not using just the harp, but many other instruments as well. For the more distant future, it is not yet clear what other musical avenues are to be explored on the next few projects. It is, however, for certain that the music of Rupert Parker will be giving great pleasure to an ever increasing number of people for many years to come.