Parmalee at Blue Gate Performing Arts Center in Shipshewana, IN
Shipshewana, IN (December 29, 2023) – On the first night of the last weekend of 2023, country music group Parmalee closes out their successful year with a visit to the Blue Gate theater.
The Parmalee foursome consists of brothers Matt (lead vocals and guitar) and Scott Thomas (drums), cousin Barry Knox (bass guitar and background vocals) and lifelong best friend, Josh McSwain (guitar, keyboards, and background vocals). The band comes from Parmele, NC in which the band’s name comes from.
Since releasing their seventh studio album For You in 2019, the band has proven that they can do no wrong with three consecutive #1 hit singles: “Just The Way” (2021) with country rapper Blanco Brown, “Take My Name” (2022) and “Girl In Mine” (2023) along with the emotional autobiographical hit “Gonna Love You” (2023), that is already showing signs of another chart topper.
The latter and current single is based on an actual experience with the band in 2010. Matt and Scott were ambushed and robbed from inside their RV during load out from a show. As gunfire occurs from both sides, Scott suffers from 3 gunshots that leave him with only a 5% chance of survival. After recovering from the wounds and a coma, Scott hobbles back on stage with the band four months later. Right after the return to the stage, Parmalee signs a record deal with Stoney Creek Records. With the new single, the guys have also released an emotional video depicting all the details from the event. You can see the video by clicking here.
Adding to the setlist for the evening, the boys open the show with “Already Callin’ You Mine” from their 2013 major studio debut Feels Like Carolina. “Close Your Eyes For This” and their debut single “Musta Had A Good Time” are also performed on stage this evening from that recording.
While still on tour supporting the 13 song album For You and the 18 track extended album For You 2, the show’s song list consists of other songs from these two albums. They include “Only You,” “Better With You” and “Boyfriend.”
Additional songs from the show includes a new song “Boots On Broadway” that features long time friend Jelly Roll, and a cover of “Drops Of Jupiter” from the rock band Train. Early on in the performance, Matt calls fans down to fill a couple of the vacant seats near the front of the stage. Instead of just filling a seat, many from inside the theater get up from their seats and bypass all others to fill the open front aisleway in front of the stage to make a standing only front pit. During the Train cover, Matt comes down off stage and proceeds to walk through the crowd in front, shaking hands and taking selfies with many in the new crowded area while paying special attention to a few small children in attendance.
To close out the evening, Matt grabs his guitar and as he and the band play softly, he tells of he and the band getting started. He speaks of them all having regular day jobs and heading out on Thursday nights to start a weekend of shows, only to repeat again the following week. When they approached a contact to help them expand themselves, it was going to cost them $11,000. Mom, a single mother of four, took out a second mortgage on their house to help her kids advance in their careers. Afterwards, every night before anyone in the band would get paid, they always made sure that mom got her cut of the monies first. One of the songs that mom helped pay for was the first #1 single in 2013 called “Carolina.” As Matt sings, he invites everyone in attendance to join the Carolina Choir and sing along with him.
After the song ends, the four gentlemen that make up Parmalee join at center stage and do a customary bow to the crowd for taking time out of their weekend to come support them. Just one more reason, this crowd loves these four gentlemen.
To stay updated or see a show from the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, or stay up with Parmalee, follow along by clicking the provided links below.
Words: Leslie Reasoner
Photos: John Reasoner
Parmalee
Blue Gate Performing Arts Center
Parmalee setlist:
Already Callin’ You Mine / Only You / Mr. Bright Side / Close Your Eyes For This / Better With You / Girl In Mine / Boyfriend / Boots On Broadway / Musta Had A Good Time / Yeah / Stay / Truth Hurts / Just The Way – Dust On The Bottle / Gonna Love You / Drops Of Jupiter / Take My Name / Carolina