Parmalee frontman talks shootout, family, fear of heights
It’s an incredible story and obstacle to overcome: North Carolina country band Parmalee members were the victims of an attempted robbery in September 2010 after playing a bar in Rock Hill, S.C. They were in their RV when two men entered with a handgun and demanded money.
Drummer Scott Thomas appeared from the back of the vehicle with his own gun and told them to leave. The gunman opened fire, and Thomas was shot in the shoulder, stomach and leg. Returning fire, both suspects were hit, and one was killed.
Thomas was hospitalized in Charlotte, N.C., for 35 days, 10 of which he was in a coma, and was given a 5 percent chance of survival. By May 2011, Thomas was well enough to get behind a drum kit again, and he since has made a nearly full recovery.
Frontman Matt Thomas, Scott’s brother, talked over the phone the day after Memorial Day and ahead of the band’s show at 10 tonight at Gilley’s Saloon & Dance Hall in Treasure Island. He was in the recording studio laying down tracks and took a break to chat.
The topics included the shootout, working with family and his fear of heights.
Congratulations on your new single, “Already Callin’ You Mine.”
Yeah, man, thanks, it’s been great. We’re singing it more and hearing it more on the radio. We’ve had three singles on the charts, and this one is following the same path.
It’s all about patience; it’s in the 30s now, and from there we hope that it keeps moving up.
How’d it feel to hit No. 1 with your smash “Carolina”?
It is one of the best accolades you can have. It helped us get a record deal. It’s really great for a career in the long term.
What can Parmalee fans expect from your show at Gilley’s?
It’s going to be a lot of fun. We stayed there a month ago, at Treasure Island, and it was a lot of fun. We’ll have the production with the guitars and three-part harmony. We’re going to have a good time.
How’d the “Country Nation World Tour” go with Brad Paisley?
It was so much fun. Brad is a great guy.
How was it touring with Jake Owen on his 2014 “Days of Gold Tour”?
Aw, man, he’s awesome. It was our first big tour, and it was great. Jake is such a good dude. It was a great experience, and to have our name tossed around was incredible.
How was the first tour versus the second?
We knew what to expect a little more the second time around, and we stepped up our game. We’re looking forward to the next time.
Parmalee is a family band — your brother Scott Thomas (drums), you on lead vocals and guitar, your cousin Barry Knox (bass) and lifelong best friend Josh McSwain (guitar). What’s the best part of that?
We knows each other’s moves. We’ve been together so long, we know to say it, when to say it and how to say it. We’re fighting for the same common good, for the good of our band and our families. It’s like being married (laughs).
And the biggest challenge?
Well, it’s family, so being around each other all the time (laughs).
Even though we work together all the time, we’re going to see each other at the family reunion, too.
The September 2010 attempted robbery and shootout in South Carolina is an incredible and miraculous story. How is Scott? And how did the incident affect the band?
He’s still a little sawed up, all things considered. It’s made us a lot tighter emotionally, and we learned some rules of life like to lock the doors and to have somebody accompany you when we go about here and there.
Have you been to Las Vegas often? What’s on your must-do list while you’re in town?
We had a couple of days off to hang out there last month. We gamble and have some fun. We love it out there.
Must-do list … well, our tour manager wants us to jump off the Stratosphere, and I am afraid of heights, so I don’t know about that. Maybe rent some Ferraris, do something ostentatious and hit the jackpot on “Wheel of Fortune.”
Have you ridden the High Roller at the Linq Promenade?
Yeah, that wasn’t so bad (laughs). Our manager was itching for us to do that, too.
What’s in the future for Parmalee along with touring and concerts?
All of the above. We’re writing, producing, working away and making certain that all of our songs slay.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Man, call the stations, request our song. We’re always on social. Say “Hey!”