Parks Wallace Colwell was born and raised in the small town of Douglas, Ga. He began playing trumpet in the sixth grade and continued with that instrument for several years until he discovered girls. He didn't think the trumpet was attracting enough female attention. However, he always had a love for music. He recalls many weekend nights riding the country dirt roads with Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Eagles, Alabama, or Merle Haggard blaring on his car stereo. It wasn't until college that he began to take a real interest, not only in listening to music, but also learning how to play it. He figured playing the guitar would really enhance "The girl factor".

While attending the University of Georgia, an Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity brother was sitting around the frat house playing an acousitc guitar. Wally asked that he show him a few chords. His buddy not only taught him the three basic chords of D, C, & G, but later took him to buy a guitar and a chord book. From then on, he was hooked. He spent countless hours in between classes and a little partying learning to play that guitar. Wally states, "I never realized your fingers could hurt like that!!"

A couple of Wally's good friends were attending Valdosta State University and had recently formed the group Whiskey River (later to be named The River). They were playing the type of music that he loved and wanted to play. During his school breaks, Wally would drive to Valdosta to watch the band. Before they could say no, Wally was up on stage playing right along. He thought, "what better place to attract the girls than on stage." To the band's surprise, Wally began making a valid contribution. Not necessarily wanting to be paid, he simply wanted to be up there playing his guitar. He began commuting for every booking and gradually became a regular on stage with the band. By this point, Wally was ecstatic to realize that not only could he be on stage playing his guitar, he was making money doing it. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Agronomy. He immediately moved to Valdosta to pursue the music and officially became a member and an integral part of the band. The band has always kidded him about his degree in "dirt".

Wally is known to be the jester of the group. His light-hearted, carefree spirit, on and off stage contributes an irreplaceable ingredient in the chemistry of The River. Wally finally got the girl. He married Kim Brownlee whom he met in college and had frequented many of The River's shows.

Wally states, "We're just a group of best friends who get up on stage and have a good time. We love what we do. If it gets to where we are not enjoying it, then we will probably consider giving itup. But until then, WE'RE GONNA HAVE FUN!!!!"