The man who put country rock on the map found his inspiration from a variety of sources, weaving them together into a style as warm and rootsy as it was modern. The urgent Bakersfield sound of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens influenced Parsons' twangier instincts, while soul legends like Dan Penn affected his R&B lilt, and folkies like Fred Neil and Tim Hardin were crucial in informing his lyrical singer/songwriter side.