Walking with Grace: Quiana Parler
There is so much to love about Quiana Parler, we don’t even know where to start.
This incredible Charleston-based artist is renowned for her exceptional, soulful vocal talents, but her personality and heart shine a light wherever she goes.
Most recently, Quiana stole our hearts on the stage at the 2020 Grammy Awards, joining her Ranky Tanky bandmates to accept their first Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album for Good Time, but this Lowcountry native has been belting out tunes since she was 8 years old and inspiring us for years.
Today, we celebrate Quiana Parler’s power and voice, both on and off the stage, and we were lucky enough to score a couple of minutes of her time before we delve into 9 of our favorite things about Quiana.
What do you consider your three greatest accomplishments?
My first greatest accomplishment was performing my entire pregnancy and giving birth to my son and getting back on stage 4 days later.
I refuse to cancel or miss a gig.
photo credit: Reese Moore Photography
My second biggest accomplishment was writing my first song(s) ever in my life and for them to be on a Grammy award-winning album with my brothers.
I made history with my brothers. It was a win for all of us in S.C., but especially The Holy City.
My third biggest accomplishment was not falling down the aisle when I took off running in my high heels after they announced Ranky Tanky’s Grammy win.
I felt like I was on the Price is Right. Growing up watching the Grammy’s on TV, I always wondered how far away the winners were when their names were called and what it felt like to walk up those stairs.
Never did I ever think I would get to have that experience. I am so grateful you have no idea.
photo credit: Reese Moore Photography
9 Things We Love About Quiana Parler
She’s a Grammy-winning Charleston artist.
No grit, no pearl. You will not find a more hardworking vocalist than Quiana Parler.
This hometown hero has been working the mic at Charleston music venues, events, and stages worldwide, making her one of the most sought after and beloved vocalists of the Lowcountry, and it made our hearts sing to watch Quiana take the stage at the Grammy’s for her first win with Ranky Tanky for their album Good Time.
Did you know Quiana has actually performed on the stage for the Country Music Awards and the American Music Awards? What a thrill to watch her work ethic and fortitude pay off!
She’s an ambassador for Gullah Culture.
Quiana may have grown up a touch further inland than her Ranky Tanky bandmates, who were raised with Gullah songs and rhythms, but she’s certainly no stranger to the Gullah language and culture.
These days, Quiana is taking her roots on tour around the globe with her bandmates in Ranky Tanky, connecting with people across the world to share the beauty of the Sea Islands’ African American culture.
photo credit: Celine Pinget
She’s performed with some of the biggest names in the business.
Quiana has performed with Miranda Lambert, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, and Maroon 5, so it’s an understatement to say this lady has bragging rights, and her down-to-earth attitude, and humble energy make us love her even more.
She has also performed on Saturday Night Live, The View, NBC's Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, Tyra, and numerous other national television programs.
She got her start in church.
Imagine tiny 7 or 8-year-old Quiana Parler belting out hymns in her hometown church, to the surprise and delight of the congregants, and you’ll have a picture of how this Grammy Award-winning artist found her voice.
Quiana inherited her talent from her parents, both of whom were wedding singers, and that talent was nurtured through lessons with opera singer June Bonner at the Dock Street Theater.
She’s been crushing it since her teen years.
Did you know Quiana skipped her prom to perform on stage with Brad and Jennifer Moranz’s revue called “Serenade” at the Charleston Music Hall?
If that’s not dedication and focus, we don’t know what is. The youngest person on stage, Quiana’s parents would drive her to the rehearsals for the show.
She’s committed to the Lowcountry.
Somehow between traveling the world, playing sold-out shows, winning Grammys, and being a badass single mom, Quiana still finds time to support and promote local Charleston businesses.
We love Quiana for her commitment to supporting local and never forgetting or celebrating where she came from. “I love supporting all local and homegrown women, especially Grit & Grace,” Quiana explains. “Grit & Grace was actually the first local woman-owned jewelry maker that I’ve worn since the beginning of Ranky Tanky.” This exceptional woman always makes time to lift up those around her, and we are grateful!
She puts family first.
Quiana is playing gigs worldwide and winning Grammys, but her first and most important job, unequivocally, is being a mom to her son Chamberlin.
This single mom celebrates a close relationship with her son and speaks openly and with gratitude about the love and support she receives from her parents and brother. Her close-knit family is a touchstone and the foundation of her success and growth as an artist.
She supports black female designers.
When it came to what to wear to the Grammy’s, Quiana knew exactly what she wanted: to support a fellow woman of color and rock this incredible garment from Abeille Creations’ designer and artist Melissa Mitchell and designer and tailor Fhonia Ellis.
The Atlanta-based Mitchell’s gorgeous, vibrant work resonated with Quiana, who looked fabulous in this finished jacket as Ranky Tanky won their first Grammy Award. Mitchell’s Instagram states, “@quianaparler of @rankytankymusic trusted little ol’ me to create an anointed look to win her first Grammy in. She had more than one person try to get in contact with me. I literally heard God say, “This is the one you will do”... So you can now add Grammy Award winning designer to my resume…. We did it @fhoniaellis! Thank you @quianaparler for trusting us!”
Quiana uses her voice on and off the stage.
Quiana has a powerful, magnetic presence, and she harnesses that energy both as a vocalist and as an individual.
When she’s not driving home heartfelt song lyrics, she’s supporting the black community, local businesses, and causes close to her heart. Quiana explains, “A charity that’s close to my heart is MusiCares. MusiCares provides a safety net for musicians who are in need of a wide range of financial help.”
Another charity that Quiana holds dear is SIMS Foundation, which provides mental health help and substance use recovery for artists and music industry professionals. Quiana adds, “I would love it if all of you would donate and support these two foundations, please!”
Please donate to the SIMS Foundation or explore other ways of giving to this cause.
Learn more about MusiCares, please visit their website. As a gentle reminder, the music community has been devastated by the economic fallout from the pandemic, and you can donate to the MusiCares coronavirus fund.
We at Grit & Grace Studio are so grateful to Quiana for sharing her time, words, and heart with us for this post. We hope you’ll follow along with Quiana’s road to continued success by supporting Ranky Tanky and Quiana Parler & Friends!
One Love & Blessings,