“White-Collar Crime” to Be Theme Song of ACFE Global Fraud Conference

Country and blues artist Lee Roy Parnell.

This year, while conference attendees wait for the keynote sessions to begin, they’ll hear something a little different. An electric guitar and gritty country melody will greet their ears as “White-Collar Crime,” performed by Lee Roy Parnell plays. “White-Collar Crime” is the official theme song of the 32nd Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference, and there’s a special history to the tune.

The song was originally written by songwriter and musician Mike Lawrence and performed by the ACFE’s founder and Chairman Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA. In the 1970s, Dr. Wells and Lawrence were in a local Austin band called The Lorenzo Dunford Band. Outside of music, Lawrence was special counsel to the ACFE and served as an advisory member of the Board of Regents, as well as a faculty member.

Lee Roy Parnell, an American country and blues artist, singer and guitarist and a member of the Texas Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, has produced a version exclusively for the ACFE.

Parnell has been an active artist and musician since 1990, when he released his self-titled debut album. Since then, he’s had several country hits, including “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am,” “Tender Moment” and “A Little Bit of You.” His most recent album, “Midnight Believer” was released in 2017.

ACFE founder and Chairman Dr. Joseph T. Wells with Michael Lawrence and Robert McEntee.

Dr. Wells and Parnell’s friendship spans decades, so as “White-Collar Crime” makes its debut at this year’s conference, attendees will hear a little piece of that friendship coming through their speakers.

Listen to and download “White-Collar Crime” below.