Parmalee: The Country Rock Band from North Carolina
Parmalee is a country rock band originally from Parmele, North Carolina, known for blending Southern rock grit with modern country melodies. The group achieved mainstream success in the 2010s, securing a number one hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and earning platinum certifications for their signature singles.
Early career
The band's story began in 2001, founded by brothers Matt and Scott Thomas alongside their cousin Barry Knox and childhood friend Josh McSwain. They honed their sound through relentless touring on the Southeastern club circuit, developing a reputation for energetic live shows rooted in rock and country. Their independent efforts led to the release of their debut album, "Compton," in 2004, but their path was dramatically altered by a 2010 robbery and shooting that left drummer Scott Thomas critically injured.
Breakthrough
Parmalee's major label breakthrough came in 2013 with the release of "Carolina," the title track from their debut studio album on Stoney Creek Records. The song became a slow-burning hit, eventually climbing to the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2014. This success was solidified by the follow-up single "Close Your Eyes," which also reached the Top 10, helping their "Carolina" album gain significant traction.
Key tracks
Carolina — This chart-topping anthem served as the band's breakthrough single, defining their heartland rock-meets-country sound.
Close Your Eyes — A Top 10 country hit that cemented Parmalee's place on national radio following the success of "Carolina".
Just the Way featuring Blanco Brown — This 2021 collaboration became a crossover smash, reaching number one on Country Airplay and earning platinum certification.
Take My Name — A 2022 wedding-themed hit that gave Parmalee their second number one single on the Country Airplay chart.
Girl in Mine — The band's third consecutive number one country airplay hit in 2023, demonstrating their consistent chart prowess.
Building on their momentum, Parmalee has continued to release successful albums, including 2021's "For You" and 2023's "Greatest Hits Volume 1". Their collaborative spirit is evident in tracks with artists like Blanco Brown, which expanded their audience. The band's resilience and adaptability have allowed them to maintain a steady presence on country radio playlists for nearly a decade.
Fans of Parmalee's Southern-tinged country rock often enjoy the sounds of Florida Georgia Line, who similarly blend party anthems with country instrumentation. The heartland rock influence connects them to Zac Brown Band, known for their musical versatility and band dynamic. Listeners might also appreciate the modern country approach of Old Dominion, another group that writes catchy, radio-friendly hits. The rock-infused energy of Brothers Osborne offers a similar gritty counterpart to Parmalee's style.
The music of Parmalee is a staple on contemporary country and country rock radio stations featured on this website. Their string of number one hits ensures regular rotation on major market FM stations and popular online country music streams, keeping their North Carolina roots and anthemic choruses in constant play.
You can hear Parmalee's catalog of country rock hits on the radio stations available right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their biggest chart-toppers and deep-cut favorites broadcasting live across our featured independent and mainstream country music radio stations.
