Ingram Cecil Connor III (November 5, 1946 – September 19, 1973), known professionally as
Gram Parsons, was an American singer, songwriter,
guitarist, and
pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the
country music genre; he also popularized what he called "Cosmic American Music", a hybrid of country,
rhythm and blues,
soul,
folk, and
rock. Besides recording as a solo artist, he played with the
International Submarine Band,
The Byrds, and
The Flying Burrito Brothers. His relatively short career is described by
AllMusic as "enormously influential" for country and rock, "blending the two genres to the point that they became indistinguishable from each other."