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The music industry has witnessed a trend toward longer albums, often featuring 20 to 30 tracks. However, country band Parmalee chose a different approach for their latest release, Fell in Love With a Cowgirl, which launches on April 4 with a concise collection of only seven songs.
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Matt Thomas, the lead vocalist, articulates the band’s philosophy behind this streamlined format, stating, “We wanted to give everybody a break. Specifically, we wanted different content— avoiding the repetition of multiple versions of the same song just to bulk up the album.”
Scott Thomas, the drummer and Matt’s brother, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the group’s focus on selecting tracks they truly enjoy and intend to perform live.
Originating from North Carolina, the band comprises the Thomas siblings, their cousin Barry Knox on bass, and Josh McSwain on guitar and keys. They aim to maintain their recent momentum in the charts, following a successful run that includes three No. 1 hits on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in the last four years, along with a No. 3 single, “Girl in Mine.”
Their current project balances the poignant ballad “Gonna Love You” with the upbeat track “Cowgirl,” which celebrates the growing popularity of cowgirl culture and is poised for summer airplay.
After launching their Fell in Love With a Cowgirl Tour in February, the positive response to “Cowgirl” from their audience has been thrilling for the band. “Seeing the crowd already familiar with the song is incredibly exciting,” Matt shares.
The album’s diversity is showcased through various musical styles, including rock-influenced pieces like “Miss Me When You’re Drinkin’” and romantic anthems such as “Day One” and “Feels Like Home.” Notably, each member of Parmalee contributed to the songwriting, with Matt involved in every track.
Discussing their creative process, Matt remarks, “We understand our niche and what our audience anticipates. Love remains a prevalent theme in our music, as we strive to uplift listeners.”
The band’s rich harmonies draw clear inspiration from influential vocal groups across rock, R&B, and Americana genres.
Reflecting on their North Carolina roots, McSwain notes the pervasive influence of diverse music styles in their upbringing—from Motown to classic rock. “We still find ourselves jamming to ‘90s R&B like Boyz II Men,” he adds, highlighting the band’s eclectic musical background.
Knox reminisces about his early experiences with singing, explaining that his mother harmonized with the radio instead of sticking to main melodies, which shaped his understanding of vocal arrangements.
“When I’m performing at my best, I focus on higher notes so my bandmates can fill in the middle harmonies,” says Matt. “The transition from the studio to live performances presents unique challenges, as capturing that magic consistently night after night can be difficult.”
Parmalee’s journey has been a mix of highs and lows since releasing their debut album, Feels Like Carolina, in 2013. While their first single gained traction, the subsequent songs struggled to maintain that momentum, leading to a period of uncertainty by 2019.
However, the group found renewed success during the pandemic with the release of “Just the Way” with Blanco Brown, which marked their second Country Airplay No. 1 and reinvigorated their career trajectory.
Scott attributes this turnaround to persistence and timing. “Once ‘Just the Way’ hit, we realized the importance of fine-tuning our sound, leading us to create hits like ‘Take My Name’ and ‘Girl in Mine’ that had a significant impact similar to the success of ‘Carolina.’”
Further developments are on the horizon, as Fell in Love With a Cowgirl symbolizes the initial phase of a two-part series. The anticipated follow-up may include “Boots on Broadway,” a track featuring Jelly Roll that has been in the works for two years.
Knox mentions that the collaboration nearly made the album but was ultimately set aside for this round. “It was definitely a contender,” he notes.
Matt adds, “We need to check in with Jelly; his schedule is packed. We want to ensure we’re on the same page regarding this collaboration.”
The band’s history with Jelly Roll stretches back over a decade, when connections were established through mutual associates before he entered the spotlight in the country music scene.
“Upon moving to Nashville, we shared the same attorney and were encouraged to collaborate. Our initial writing session was laid-back and fruitful,” Matt reminisces.
Despite their recent successes, Parmalee has yet to earn a nomination at the prestigious CMAs or ACMs for the group or vocal group of the year categories, with only one nomination a decade prior for the new vocal duo or group of the year at the ACMs.
Matt reflects on this absence from nominations, questioning the criteria and suggesting that radio presence plays a significant role in recognition. “Typically, a hit correlates with a nomination,” he states.
Despite these challenges, the band remains committed to their goals, viewing their overlooked status as a motivator.
“We’re on the brink; it’s nearly our time,” McSwain asserts. “By consistently delivering hits and engaging our audience, we’re optimistic that recognition will follow.”
Source
www.billboard.com