Multi-talented songstress and Alabama resident Abby Parks graced the Woodstock Coffeehouse Friday night with her music, filling the air with her unique sound. She brought with her a small army of supporters, including Sandy Serge of Serge Entertainment Group.

"Abby rocks," Serge said. "I love the variety with all the instruments. I would come to see her again."

Parks played the guitar, banjo and harmonica with equal expertise, creating a musical set that was varied and captivating.

"I play guitar, 12-string guitar, mandolin, harmonica and most recently have been performing with the banjo, too.  My strongest skills lie with the guitar as I have played it since a young teen and studied classical guitar in college.  But I am really enjoying applying my finger-picking skills to the banjo," Parks said.

Audience members were delighted with her performance, admiring her soulful musical style.

"She has a very soothing voice," said one listener named Maggie.

"Abby writes much of her own music and sings from the heart," said another attendee named Scott.

These compliments are only some of many Parks received during the evening.

Parks describes her own style as similar to Joni Mitchell's.

"I used Joni Mitchell's style as a model when I was younger and had begun songwriting, loving her use of alternate tunings, stellar finger-picking and unusual chord choices," Parks said.

However, she is far from a copy of Mitchell.

"I have worked on developing my own style so that I am unique," Parks said. "That was I have been true to myself, and that is important as an artist if you desire to stand out."

Parks' sound includes mainly finger-style guitar that she uses to develop her own exceptionally interesting chord progressions.

"I love to stray into other keys, or at least tease the ear with a chord that goes outside of the key I am in," Parks said.

Though she is resides in Alabama now, Parks has also lived in Germany, Maryland, Colorado and the U.K. She often travels to Georgia for musical obligations, but her love for Georgia is deeper than that.

"My relatives and roots lie in the South, mostly Georgia, so in a way I think of it as home even though I haven't lived here since I was a child," Parks said. "I'd say the music scene in Alabama is not as thriving, so I enjoy coming to sing in Atlanta."

She also loved the atmosphere of the Woodstock Coffeehouse, saying that she felt at home.

"I'd say my favorite aspect was the hospitality. Many coffeehouses that offer live music seem to become blasé about the performers and treat you as if you are just one of the countless entertainers. I'd say it was one of the best experiences I've had in a coffeehouse," Parks said.

Her choices of musical venues are not limited to coffeehouses, however.

"I play festivals, songwriter showcases, and special events mostly. I don't sing much in bars, as I prefer a more intimate setting. I love doing outdoor festivals and seek folk festivals especially," Parks said.

She is a member of the Folk Alliance, and attends regional conferences for the opportunity to play in artist showcase settings.

Parks has released two CDs, one in 2005 and the other in 2009, and said she hopes to continue recording in the future. Her second CD, The Homeplace, was recorded at Soundcell Studies in Alabama by illustrious producer Doug Jansen Smith. Smith has also produced for Bryan McKnight, Phil Collins, Willie Nelson and Bonnie Raitt.

"It was an awesome experience. Dave Anderson of the Atlanta Rhythm Section played on some of the tracks on the album," Parks said.

Artist Information:

Website: abbyparks.com