Parmalee
Parmalee is an American country music band formed in 2001 in Parmele, North Carolina, consisting of brothers Matt Thomas (lead vocals and guitar) and Scott Thomas (drums), their cousin Barry Knox (bass), and longtime friend Josh McSwain (guitar).[1][2] The group draws from country rock roots and diverse influences like Lifehouse and Incubus, blending heartfelt lyrics with energetic performances.[1] The band emerged from the small town of Parmele, where the Thomas brothers initially played in their father's cover band before striking out on their own.[3] After building a regional following through relentless touring in the early 2000s, Parmalee faced setbacks including a 2010 armed robbery after a performance that left Scott Thomas shot three times, yet they persevered to release independent albums like Complicated (2008).[2] Their major-label debut came in 2013 with Stoney Creek Records, marking a turning point.[4] Parmalee's breakthrough arrived with the platinum-certified single "Carolina" in 2013, which topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart and launched their major-label debut album Feels Like Carolina.[5] The band has since amassed four No. 1 hits on that chart—"Carolina," "Just the Way" (featuring Blanco Brown), "Take My Name," and "Gonna Love You" (2024)—along with over one billion global streams.[1][6] Notable achievements include nominations for New Artist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards and an American Music Award.[7][8] In 2025, they released the album Fell in Love with a Cowgirl (April 4), featuring the radio hit "Cowgirl," continuing their streak of chart success and fan engagement through tours and organic songwriting.[1]History
Formation and early career (2001–2011)
Parmalee was formed in 2001 in the small town of Parmele, North Carolina, by brothers Matt Thomas (lead vocals and guitar) and Scott Thomas (drums), their cousin Barry Knox (bass), and longtime friend Josh McSwain (guitar and vocals). The band originated in a modest cement block barn on the family farm, where the members, all hailing from the rural community, began jamming together as an extension of earlier family music traditions. Initially known for their energetic live performances, they drew from the musical heritage of their relatives, including their father, with whom they had previously played in a local group called Jerry Thomas & The Thomas Brothers Band.[9] In their early years, Parmalee's sound was rooted in covers of bluegrass, traditional country, southern rock, and blues, reflecting the songs their families had performed around the home. This foundation helped them transition to original material while honing their country rock style, influenced by late '90s pop-rock elements. The band self-released their debut EP, Daylight, in 2002, followed by the full-length album Inside in 2004, both produced independently under their own Deep South label and distributed locally. They continued with the album Mildew or Barbecue? in 2006 and another EP, Complicated, in 2008, all self-produced to showcase their evolving songwriting amid limited resources.[10][11][9] Parmalee built a dedicated regional fanbase through grassroots efforts, performing initial gigs in North Carolina bars, small clubs, and local venues, often relying on word-of-mouth promotion and family networks to draw crowds. These shows, which started as backing sets for their father before shifting to their own sets for younger audiences, allowed them to tour extensively across the Carolinas, fostering a loyal following and funding further ambitions like a Nashville showcase. A pivotal moment came in 2008 with the release of their original single "Carolina" on the Complicated EP, signaling their move toward authentic country rock compositions centered on their Southern roots.[12][9][13]Shooting incident
On September 21, 2010, following a performance at The Money nightclub in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Parmalee members were targeted in an armed robbery attempt inside their RV parked in the venue's lot. Two assailants, Demorrio Burris and Dytavus Hinton, forced their way into the vehicle demanding cash and valuables from brothers Matt Thomas (lead vocals and guitar) and Scott Thomas (drums), who were celebrating the show with bandmates Barry Knox (bass) and Josh McSwain (guitar). Scott Thomas, armed with a 9 mm handgun, exchanged gunfire with the robbers in self-defense, firing all seven rounds and killing Burris at the scene while wounding Hinton, who fled but was soon apprehended by police.[14][15][16] Scott Thomas sustained three gunshot wounds—to the chest, stomach, and buttocks—with one bullet nicking an artery, leading to critical condition and a mere 5% chance of survival according to doctors. He was airlifted to a Charlotte hospital, where he fell into a coma for 10 days, underwent three surgeries, and remained for approximately 40 days total, followed by extensive physical therapy to relearn walking. Matt Thomas, Knox, and McSwain emerged physically unharmed but witnessed the chaos, which included the robbers seizing some cash before the shootout erupted. Hinton was charged with murder, attempted armed robbery, and related offenses but pleaded guilty in a deal, receiving a 20-year prison sentence without parole in 2011.[14][17][16] The incident forced Parmalee to halt touring and promotions amid their growing independent success in the Southeast, as Scott relied on crutches and mobility aids for months during rehabilitation. The band temporarily shifted focus to support his recovery, drawing on family and fan fundraising for medical and living expenses while dealing with heightened security concerns on the road. By early 2011, Scott had sufficiently recovered to resume drumming, allowing the group to relocate to Nashville for better industry opportunities about four months post-incident.[18][15][19] Emotionally, the ordeal forged deeper bonds among the members, transforming fear into resolve and marking a pivotal motivational turning point that propelled their persistence despite setbacks. Both Thomas brothers have described lingering psychological effects, such as vigilance and occasional sleeplessness, yet Scott now views September 21 as his "second birthday" and has publicly forgiven Hinton during his sentencing hearing. The event's influence permeates their narrative, notably recreated in the 2023 music video for "Gonna Love You," which dramatizes the robbery to underscore themes of perseverance and brotherhood.[14][16][15]Breakthrough with Stoney Creek Records (2012–2015)
In 2012, following the recovery of drummer Scott Thomas from a near-fatal shooting incident two years earlier, Parmalee signed with BBR Music Group's Stoney Creek Records imprint, transitioning from independent releases to a major label partnership.[20][21] The band's debut single under the label, "Musta Had a Good Time," was released in July 2012 and captured their energetic country-rock style, drawing from stories of wild nights that reflected the group's enduring spirit after adversity. It peaked at No. 38 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2013.[22][18] Parmalee's first major-label album, Feels Like Carolina, arrived on December 10, 2013, showcasing a blend of heartfelt ballads and uptempo tracks produced by the band alongside Frank Rogers and Luke Laird. The album featured a remixed version of their earlier track "Carolina," which became their breakthrough hit, topping the Billboard Country Airplay chart for one week in December 2013 and earning RIAA gold certification for over 500,000 units sold. Follow-up single "Close Your Eyes" also gained traction, reaching No. 4 on the same chart in late 2014.[23][24] To promote the album, Parmalee embarked on their first headlining U.S. tour in fall 2013 and secured opening slots at major festivals, including performances ahead of Lady Antebellum at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wis. These efforts helped solidify their national presence amid rising radio play.[25][26] In recognition of their rapid ascent, Parmalee earned a semi-finalist nomination for New Artist of the Year at the 2014 Academy of Country Music Awards and a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice Country Song with "Carolina."[27][28]Subsequent albums and hits (2016–2020)
Following the momentum from their 2013 debut album Feels Like Carolina, Parmalee released their second major-label studio album, 27861, on July 21, 2017, via Stoney Creek Records. Named after the zip code of their hometown Parmele, North Carolina, the record explored themes of small-town roots and personal reflection, with production emphasizing the band's signature blend of country rock and heartfelt lyrics. The lead single, "Sunday Morning," co-written by frontman Matt Thomas, Ross Copperman, and Josh Osborne, was issued in April 2017 and peaked at No. 40 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, marking a modest follow-up to their earlier hits but failing to replicate the commercial breakthrough of prior releases.[29][30] Post-2015, after the promotional cycle for Feels Like Carolina concluded, Parmalee encountered label instability at Stoney Creek, including uncertainty about their roster status and reduced promotional support following the underwhelming performance of 27861. This period tested the band's resilience, as they navigated a three-year gap between albums by focusing on live performances and fan engagement through digital platforms and independent touring. Despite these hurdles, they maintained visibility by opening for established acts on major tours, such as Dierks Bentley's outings, and building a dedicated following in the Southeast. By late 2020, their catalog had surpassed 500 million global streams, underscoring sustained digital growth amid industry challenges.[31][32] A pivotal shift occurred in December 2019 when Parmalee released "Just the Way," a collaboration with Blanco Brown, initially handled through broader distribution channels after their label hiatus. The uplifting track, co-written by Thomas, Kevin Bard, and Nolan Sipe, celebrated self-acceptance and gained explosive traction in 2020 via TikTok virality, where user-generated content propelled it to widespread exposure. Certified multi-platinum by the RIAA, the single amassed over 500 million streams by year's end and climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in early 2021, holding the top spot for one week while dominating year-end lists. This hit revitalized the band's career, bridging their mid-period struggles and setting the stage for future releases.[33][32]Recent developments (2021–2025)
In 2021, Parmalee released their seventh studio album, For You, on July 30 via Stoney Creek Records, marking a significant commercial resurgence for the band.[34] The project featured the lead single "Just the Way" (featuring Blanco Brown), which became their second No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in March 2021, following "Carolina" from 2013.[35] This success was built on the momentum from their prior releases, solidifying their return to mainstream country radio. The album's follow-up singles continued the band's hot streak, with "Take My Name" topping the Country Airplay chart for two weeks in June 2022 and earning the No. 1 spot on Billboard's year-end Country Airplay Songs chart for that year.[36] "Girl in Mine," released in 2022 and included on the expanded edition, reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart in September 2023, marking Parmalee's fourth overall chart-topper. "Gonna Love You," also from the expanded edition, topped the chart in December 2024, becoming their fifth No. 1 hit and fourth consecutive chart-topper. These hits helped establish Parmalee as one of the most-played country groups on radio during this period, with over 1.6 billion global on-demand streams accumulated by 2025.[37][38][32] In September 2023, the band issued For You 2, a deluxe edition expanding the original album to 18 tracks and including additional singles like "Gonna Love You."[39] Building on this foundation, Parmalee released their eighth project, the EP Fell in Love with a Cowgirl, on April 4, 2025, via Stoney Creek Records, as the first installment of a two-part album set.[40] The debut single "Cowgirl" highlighted their signature blend of traditional country storytelling with modern production elements, emphasizing heartfelt narratives about rural life and romance.[41] Amid their rising profile, Parmalee announced the "Feels Like Home" headlining tour for fall 2025, commencing September 12 in Norfolk, Virginia, and spanning 19 cities through December 13 in Katy, Texas.[42] The tour showcased their high-energy live performances, drawing on fan favorites from recent albums. However, the band faced industry setbacks, notably being overlooked for nominations at the 2025 CMA Awards despite their string of hits and streams; in interviews, members attributed the snub to "insider trading" and political dynamics within the Country Music Association.[43] Parmalee maintained a strong presence in live country music circuits, returning to the Grand Ole Opry stage on June 26, 2025, for a performance during the venue's centennial celebrations.[44] They also secured a slot at CMA Fest 2025, performing on the Chevy Riverfront Stage on June 8, where they delivered sets blending their classic sound with newer material like "Cowgirl," reinforcing their commitment to bridging traditional and contemporary country influences.[45]Musical style and influences
Genre and sound
Parmalee is a country rock band whose music fuses contemporary country with rock elements, delivering a pop-country crossover style marked by upbeat rhythms, heartfelt lyrics, and anthemic choruses that resonate with mainstream audiences.[46][47] The band's signature sound centers on a blend of electric guitars, driving drums, and harmonious vocals, with lead singer Matt Thomas providing the primary vocal delivery supported by the group's tight familial harmonies.[45][1][48] Their production style has evolved significantly over time; early independent efforts featured a raw, unpolished quality captured in barn recordings on their family property, emphasizing an authentic, organic feel.[7][3] After signing with Stoney Creek Records in 2012, their sound shifted to a more refined major-label polish, incorporating radio-friendly hooks and subtle electronic accents starting around 2013 to broaden their appeal.[21][49] Lyrically, Parmalee's songs often center on themes of love, resilience, small-town life, and carefree partying, inspired by personal family experiences and tales of recovery.[50][51] This approach shines in crossover tracks like "Just the Way," a collaboration with Blanco Brown that weaves in hip-hop influences for a danceable vibe, propelling it to success on pop airplay charts.[31][52][53]Influences
Parmalee’s musical influences are deeply rooted in their North Carolina upbringing, where family traditions and regional sounds shaped their early exposure to music. Growing up in the flatlands and mountains of eastern North Carolina, band members Matt and Scott Thomas, along with cousin Barry Knox, were immersed in the sounds of their late father Jerry Thomas’s band, which performed a mix of southern rock, soul, blues, R&B, and country on local farms and venues.[5][54] Guitarist Josh McSwain, from the mountainous region, drew from his father’s bluegrass band, contributing to the group’s appreciation for acoustic-driven traditions.[55] This farm-country backdrop fostered a blend of heartfelt storytelling and energetic rhythms reflective of Carolina’s diverse musical heritage. Key artistic influences include southern rock pioneers like the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, whose jam-oriented guitar work and resilient themes echoed in the band’s formative years through Jerry Thomas’s repertoire.[54][56] Traditional country artists such as Travis Tritt provided models for straightforward, emotive songwriting, while blues influences from Stevie Ray Vaughan added soulful depth to their sound.[5] The Eagles’ rock-country fusion further inspired their approach to blending genres, evident in the band’s emphasis on harmonious melodies and narrative-driven tracks.[57] In their modern evolution, Parmalee has incorporated late ’90s and early 2000s pop-rock elements from bands like Lifehouse, Incubus, and Green Day, which inform the upbeat, radio-friendly aspects of their music. This influence is particularly evident in their 2025 album Fell in Love with a Cowgirl, where tracks like "Beautiful" and "Miss Me When You're Drinkin'" draw heavily from late '90s pop-rock sounds.[1][50] These inspirations, combined with their southern heritage, underscore lyrics that celebrate regional pride and perseverance, drawing from the Carolina music scenes’ tradition of authentic, rootsy expression.[55]Members
Current lineup
The current lineup of Parmalee consists of four members who have remained unchanged since the band's formation in 2001, all hailing from the Parmele, North Carolina area and contributing equally to creative decisions.[1][31] Matt Thomas, born March 15, 1974, in Greenville, North Carolina, serves as the lead vocalist and guitarist, while also acting as the band's primary songwriter and handling most media interactions.[58][59] His brother, Scott Thomas, born February 13, 1973, plays drums and provides backing vocals, emphasizing the rhythm section's energy during live performances.[60][1][47] Cousin to the Thomases, Barry Knox, born November 9, 1977, handles bass and contributes vocals, enhancing the group's family dynamic through tight harmonies.[61][1][62] Lifelong friend Josh McSwain, born April 4 in nearby Shelby, North Carolina, joined as the lead guitarist, also playing fiddle, keyboards, and providing vocals; he adds instrumental versatility and co-writes several songs.[63][1][64]Band timeline
Parmalee has maintained a stable core lineup as a quartet since its formation in 2001 in Parmele, North Carolina, consisting of brothers Matt Thomas on lead vocals and guitar, Scott Thomas on drums, their cousin Barry Knox on bass, and lifelong friend Josh McSwain on guitar, with no permanent departures or additions to this group over more than two decades.[1][65][42] The band's personnel faced a significant temporary disruption following an armed robbery incident on their tour bus in Nashville on September 21, 2010, during which drummer Scott Thomas was shot three times and given only a 5% chance of survival, requiring extensive recovery that limited his participation in performances for several months while the group relied on substitute drummers to continue touring.[14][15][66] Throughout the 2010s, the quartet occasionally augmented their live shows with touring musicians, such as fiddlers and keyboardists, to enhance their country rock sound during larger productions, though these were non-permanent roles and the core members handled all studio recordings.[67][68] Entering the 2020s, Parmalee has demonstrated unwavering consistency, with the full original quartet performing on all albums and tours, including their 2025 "Feels Like Home Tour," which spans multiple U.S. cities from September to December, and no reports of internal conflicts or lineup shifts have surfaced.[42][69][70] This longevity is bolstered by deep familial bonds—between the Thomas brothers and Knox cousin—combined with McSwain's longstanding friendship, which has fostered mutual commitment, as evidenced by their frequent joint songwriting credits on hits like "Carolina" and "Take My Name" across multiple albums.[1][68][8] As of 2025, all members remain dedicated to the band's ongoing projects, including new music releases and tour dates, with no announced personnel changes on the horizon.[71][72]Discography
Studio albums
Parmalee has released several studio albums and EPs throughout their career, beginning with independent releases in the early 2000s and transitioning to major-label efforts starting in 2013. Their early work, self-recorded in makeshift studios like barns, captured a raw country-rock sound, while later albums under Stoney Creek Records incorporated polished production and chart-topping singles. The band's discography reflects their evolution from regional acts to national successes, with a focus on heartfelt lyrics and Southern influences.| Album | Release Date | Label | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight | December 3, 2002 | Deep South Records (independent) | Debut EP featuring six tracks of early country-rock originals, recorded in Raleigh, North Carolina.[73] |
| Inside | June 15, 2004 | Deep South Records (independent) | First full-length album with 12 tracks, including raw barn-session recordings emphasizing the band's familial roots and original material.[74] |
| Mildew or Barbecue? | 2003 | Deep South Records (independent) | Single with three tracks, produced by David Bendeth, showcasing transitional songwriting before major-label interest.[75] |
| Complicated | May 27, 2008 | Deep South Records (independent) | Final independent EP, gaining regional airplay with tracks like the original version of "Carolina," marking the end of their pre-label era. |
| Feels Like Carolina | December 10, 2013 | Stoney Creek Records | Major-label debut full-length, produced by the New Voice Entertainment team (including David Fanning and Kurt Allison); peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and featured platinum-certified singles. |
| 27861 | July 21, 2017 | Stoney Creek Records | Second major album, titled after the band's hometown ZIP code in Parmele, North Carolina; peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.[29] |
| For You | July 30, 2021 | Stoney Creek Records | Seventh studio release (counting EPs as prior efforts), hits-driven with collaborations like Blanco Brown on "Just the Way"; expanded to a deluxe edition, For You 2, in September 2023, adding new tracks and alternate versions. |
| Fell In Love With A Cowgirl | April 4, 2025 | Stoney Creek Records / BMG Rights Management | Eighth album, a seven-track collection blending traditional country storytelling with modern production; debuted with lead single "Cowgirl," emphasizing harmonies and autobiographical themes.[76][77] |