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Bio 

With the grit of the native West Texas dust in her songwriting and the beauty of a High Plains sunset in her voice, Darby Sparkman brings together honesty and strength to each moment she shares with others.  

Born and raised in a part of Texas that straddles the past and present as much as it crosses from the Red River to the Rolling Plains, Darby continues to collect stories from those around her and give them life in her art. 

“American Shoestring” is a nod to the everyday. The smallest parts of our lives that add together and make it what it is. May we all bond over the bills we can’t pay, the long hours at work away from our families, and calling out a system that only serves the 1%. 

Story behind the song

On April 15, Darby wrote this song after she figured she’d pay the IRS what she owed— unfortunately for her, putting it on a credit card was her only option. 

It’s funny, it’s mostly true, and it’s American. 

Releasing August 28th, 2026

Engineered: Alan Crossland—Route 1 Acuff Studio, Slaton, TX

Mixed: Adam Odor—Medicine Mound Music Machine, Quanah, TX

Mastered: Eric Conn—Independent Mastering, Nashville, TN

Artwork: Stoney Wayne Bass

Produced by Adam Odor

Drums/Percussion: Brian Maines, Upright Bass: Dustin Pedigo, Acoustic Guitar: Joey Cefalu, Electric Guitar: Dustin Garrett, Steel Guitar: Zachary Moulton, Piano: Jonny Hughes, Harmony Vocals: Hannah Jackson

Darby Sparkman writes for Sure Thing Music Publishing under BMI.