Industry Celebrates Parmalee’s Fourth No. 1 Hit
Pictured (L-R, back row): Jon Loba, Beth Laird, Caroline Hodson, Emilia James, Travis Wood, ET Brown, Casey Brown, Mason Hunter, Ashley Gorley, Greg Gallo, David Fanning, Adrian Michaels, Courtney Crist; (L-R, front row): Kari Barnhart, Scott Thomas, Barry Knox, Matt Thomas, Josh McSwain, Rusty Gaston, David DeVaul, Christina Wiltshire. Photo: Larry McCormack
Industry members and artists came together for a special No. 1 party earlier this week when Broken Bow Records’ Parmalee celebrated their fourth career chart-topper, “Girl In Mine.”
The afternoon’s rain clouds parted and sun filled the foyer of BMI as friends, family and colleagues eagerly awaited BMI’s Mason Hunter to take to the podium. Gathered on stage were the song’s co-writers Ashley Gorley, Casey Brown, Travis Wood and Parmalee’s Matt Thomas along with fellow band members Scott Thomas, Barry Knox, Joshua McSwain and producer David Fanning.
Hunter began the event by warmly introducing the songwriters and band members, highlighting their remarkable achievements. He then turned the spotlight to Canada native Wood, acknowledging his impressive track record of nine No. 1 Canadian singles and now, his first No. 1 hit in the United States. “When you score your first No. 1 in Canada, do they give you a hockey puck?” teased Hunter. “Here in Nashville, we present you with a Taylor guitar. Here’s to many more No. 1s on that guitar!”
ASCAP’s Emilia James took the stage next, followed by SESAC’s ET Brown, who honored Brown with a guitar of his own. “One of the things I admire most about Casey, besides his obviously powerful and strong surname, is his unwavering dedication to his craft, which is matched only by his commitment to his family,” remarked Brown.
On deck to congratulate their writers were Reservoir Music Publishing’s Greg Gallo, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, Tape Room Music’s Caroline Hodson, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Studio Bank’s Ron Cox, Pinnacle Bank’s David DeVaul and Stoney Creek Record’s Adrian Michaels.
Gaston took to the mic in a whirl of enthusiasm to congratulate both Gorley and Thomas, “This is a remarkably special week for Gorley. As of this week, he has the No. 1 song in the U.S. and it is his 75th No. 1 song. What I want everyone to realize is that there is no songwriter ever before, in any genre or country, that has ever had as many hits as Ashley Gorley.”
Gaston continued on to congratulate Thomas by sharing a few of Gorley’s own quotes praising the band, or in his words, quotes from “the most successful songwriter in the history of music.” Finally, he closed in fashion befitting only “the reverend” himself, “Parmalee is our band, my band, your band and they are country music’s band. They are nominated for two CMT Awards coming up. Pull out your phones and vote for Parmalee! God bless everyone and God bless country music.”
After the whistles and applause died down, it was time to hear from the songwriters. Wood kicked things off saying, “This is the community I was really anxious to be a part of when I moved here, so to be here with you guys today is really special. I am thankful to be a Nashville songwriter and to be celebrating a No. 1 with you guys.”
Producer, songwriter and the band’s manager, Fanning, added, “While I am not as enthusiastic as Rusty, you guys go vote. Thank you for supporting [Parmalee] as we continue to elevate their career.”
Brown took the chance to thank his team and congratulate Wood on his first U.S. No. 1. He said, “Travis, I am so honored to be a part of your first. If I could put you up on DraftKings and bet a large sum of money that you would have about a million more of these, I would do it in a heartbeat.”
“I am just thankful to be a part of this,” said Gorley. “Thank you to my family for believing in me at home and also my family with Domain, Sony Music and Tape Room.”
Thomas closed, gesturing to his own family, “Speaking of family, I want to say thanks to my family for being here. My niece Charlotte actually wrote a song the other day sitting in my kitchen, and I said, ‘You can do this!'”
Parmalee’s frontman closed with, “We love our job, we love what we do and we love being in Nashville, so thank y’all.”
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!