Ririe native makes a living through music, with new single out July 10

Inspired by his late father, Ririe native Keagan Park enjoys making a living singing and songwriting. He has a new song — “Bustin’ Buckles” — due out July 10. Get a preview of the song and video in the player above. | Courtesy Keagan Park

RIRIE — When Keagan Park was 11 years old, he lost his father.

Kirt Park was a well-known country singer and rodeo announcer at Meadow Vue Ranch in Island Park, who also wrote songs and even released a few CDs.

A few years after his father’s death, Keagan picked up one of Kirt’s guitars as a way to cope with his grief. What began as a source of comfort sparked a passion for music and performing that would shape his future.

Now, at just 23 years old, Keagan Park has released two singles and has a third set to release on July 10. With the help of the recording studio Peak Creative Pro in Idaho Falls, he released his first album 10 years after his father’s death, and his second album is due out in October. He has also earned an endorsement from Teton Guitars.

Park performs at local venues and private events, entertaining audiences with a mix of popular cover songs and his own original music rooted in country, folk and rock.

Park recalls one of his first times on stage, at just 14 years old, when he was invited to sing at Meadow Vue Ranch, where his dad used to perform.

“Island Park holds a special place in my heart. I grew up following my dad around and watching him set up and play there,” he said. “It made me feel so close to my dad, playing where he used to play and with his guitar.”

Keagan Park looks up at his late father, Kirt Park, as a toddler. Years after Kirt’s death, Keagan found one of his father’s guitars and was inspired to pursue a career in music. | Courtesy Park family

Park went on to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bakersfield, California — a location he said further fueled his love of country music.

“Bakersfield is a music town,” he said. “It’s where artists like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens made their names. They’ve had a big influence on my music.”

After returning from his mission, Park married his wife, Hailey. As a newlywed, he started gigging at different places around Idaho Falls, partly for fun and partly out of financial necessity, while studying business analytics in college.

“I did not like school,” he admits. “But one gig started leading to another. My music was going well, so with the support of my wife, I dropped out to make music full-time.”

What started out at the Idaho Falls Farmers Market turned into playing music festivals and special events, even opening for popular country singer Gary Allan at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino.

“Starting at the farmers market is what got the ball rolling,” Park said.

Keagan Park opening for Gary Allen — Local singer Keagan Park opens for country singer Gary Alan at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino. | Courtesy Keagan Park

Park’s latest single — which will be available on popular streaming services including Apple, Spotify and YouTube — is a rodeo-themed song called “Bustin’ Buckles.”

“I grew up going to rodeos with my family, and it hit me one day to write a rodeo song from the bull’s perspective. And that’s how ‘Bustin’ Buckles’ came about,” Park said.

The music video for “Bustin’ Buckles,” filmed in the tiny town of Bone, Idaho, will be released later.

“The top priority in my songwriting is to write truth. Country music, at its core, is truth,” Park said. “I hope people can find healing and joy in my music in whatever they’re going through.”

While Park is not opposed to moving to a bigger market like Nashville or Texas, he is happy in east Idaho and a firm believer in “growing where you’re at while bringing others up along the way.”

“Our area is a hidden gem when it comes to music, and I don’t want to leave that. There is amazing talent right here in east Idaho,” he said.

Check out more of Park’s music at Keagan Park Music on YouTube.

For those interested in booking Park for an event, he can be contacted through his Facebook page, and a website is in the works.