Photo ID (L-R): JoJamie Hahr (BMG), Jenn Tressler (Opry),
Parmalee’s Josh McSwain, Barry Knox, Scott Thomas, Matt Thomas, and Opry’s Jordan Pettit and Dan Rogers.
Photo Credit: David Fanning
With three #1 singles to their credit, multi-platinum hitmakers Parmalee celebrated 10 years of Grand Ole Opry appearances last night, with a three-song set and a special dedication.
The band opened with their current hit “Girl In Mine,” followed by “Take My Name,” Billboard’s Most Played Country Song of 2022, before closing with their first #1 single, “Carolina.”
Formed in 2001, the band, featuring brothers Matt (lead singer) and Scott Thomas, Cousin Barry Knox, and childhood friend Josh McSwain, was touring constantly but struggled to make ends meet. Needing money to pay for a recording session, Matt and Scott’s mom took out a second mortgage on her home to fund the recording.
“You guys changed our lives with this next song, and I got to tell you a little story about it first,” said Matt. “We went in the studio to record the first version of this song, and our ‘buddy’ who was helping us out with the money, wrote us a check to pay the studio bill, but the check bounced. So, we owed the studio guy $11,000, and the only person I felt comfortable asking to help was my mom. She took out a second mortgage on her little three-bedroom house and wrote a check to cover the bill. And here’s the kicker, one of those songs was ‘Carolina.’ So, we paid her back plus 20% and a new car, so here’s to all the momma’s and daddy’s out there supporting your babies and your dreamers y’all! I want to dedicate this to my mom!”
Following their Opry appearance, the road warriors took the last flight out of BNA headed west for a weekend of shows.
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About Parmalee:
ACM “New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year” nominee Parmalee is one of Country music’s most successful acts: the Platinum-selling band of brothers is one of only four groups since 2001 to earn three consecutive Top 10 singles from a debut Country album. Since their debut at Country radio, Parmalee has earned over 1 billion on-demand streams. Heralded as “Country Music’s Breakout Stars” by MSN Entertainment, Parmalee has supported Brad Paisley and Jake Owen on national tours while finding time to perform on NBC’s TODAY show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Late Late Show, FOX & Friends All American Summer Concert Series, MLB Central’s Studio 21, The Queen Latifah Show, and more. Comprised of brothers Matt and Scott Thomas (lead vocals/guitar and drums, respectively), cousin Barry Knox (bass), and life-long friend Josh McSwain, the North Carolina natives had a legendary return to the top of the charts with their PLATINUM-certified No. 1 single with Blanco Brown, “Just the Way,” and their follow up single, “Take My Name” from their new album For You that became a multi-week No. 1 hit at Country radio and scored the #1 Spot on Billboard’s 2022 Year-End Country Airplay Chart. Their latest single “Girl In Mine” is currently Top 20 at country radio and available now. For more information, visit: www.parmaleemusic.com
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