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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2019)
NEWS MyEagleNews.com Wednesday, August 7, 2019 A3 Parmalee will headline 110th Grant County Fair Nashville band will bring high energy to Grant County Fair stage By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Parmalee band members are ready to liven it up at the Grant County Fair when they take the stage Friday, Aug. 16, in John Day. “We just like to have a good time,” said lead singer Matt Thomas in a phone interview with the Eagle. “It’s a lot of energy, and we try to keep it fun.” The band’s name gives a nod to Parmele, North Car- olina, a one-stoplight town where the band members grew up, including Thomas and his brother, drummer Scott Thomas. The Thomas brothers’ cousin Barry Knox is bass player, and their best friend Josh McSwain is lead guitarist. “We’re the country side of a rock band,” Matt said. “We’re a rock and roll band at heart with country influ- ences and upbringing.” Britnee Kellogg will open for Parmalee at 7 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert tickets are $35 for adults, and admission for children 12 and under is $15. VIP tickets are $70. The band wrote “Down Town” last year as a Hur- ricane Florence relief song that shares the resilience of the people with neighbors helping neighbors. There is strength in the lyrics: “We’ve all weath- “WE JUST LIKE TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.” Lead singer Matt Thomas of Parmalee ered our fair share of storms, ain’t nothing we ain’t seen before, we get hit get knocked down, get back up for another round ‘round here. This ain’t no going ‘down’ town, when trouble comes around town.” Based in Nashville, the band has been “all over the map” this summer perform- ing in several states from coast to coast. “We’re thankful to be able to tour,” Matt said, adding they have many more shows coming up, and they’ll perform — for the eighth time — at the Grand Ole Opry in September. Parmalee’s first big hit “Carolina,” which came out in 2013, reached No. 5 on Billboard’s U.S. Indie chart and No. 10 on Billboard’s U.S. Country chart. The band will also play newer songs, including “Be Alright,” which was just released. “We’re excited to have it on country radio,” Matt said. He said the “Be Alright” video can be viewed online. Learn more about the band at parmalee.com. Matt said the band has several songs “people are diggin’” and the audience can sing along. “We’re here to party,” he said. Contributed photo The American country band Parmalee will perform a high-energy show as the headliner at the Grant County Fair on Friday, Aug. 16, in John Day. The show starts at 7 p.m. with Britnee Kellogg opening. Gates open at 6 p.m. Abby Winegar holds steer jackpot at fairgrounds to benefit heritage group By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Ten youth steer owners competed with their animals in a July 20 Steer Jackpot organized by Abby Winegar of Prairie City High School. Winegar spearheaded the two-hour event for her senior project and as a way to ben- efit the Grant County Family Heritage Foundation. She donated all the pro- ceeds from the entry fees to the foundation. Participants in the steer jackpot are often 4-H or FFA youth, or they may just raise and sell steers at auction without attending fair. The contest allows youths to see how they can improve in showmanship and other areas. “It’s kind of like fair, but you don’t sell your animal and it’s just steer,” Winegar said of the event. Raney Anderson of Izee exhibited the Champion Market Steer, and Zoey Jus- tus of Baker City had the Reserve Champion Market Steer. Tanner Grant of Burns was Champion Showman and Justus was named Reserve Champion Showman. Winegar said she com- peted in a sheep jackpot in Prineville a few years ago, but this was the first time she attended — and organized — a steer jackpot. This will be Winegar’s third time showing steer at the fair. The youths at the jack- pot gathered in the Heritage Barn where the judge Jessica Bayley of Heppner shared information on showman- ship, including not wear- ing a hat when you enter the show, Winegar said. She said the participants learned what to expect from a judge. “I think a lot of kids made new friends,” she said. “Two 10-year-olds had a blast and looked up to the older exhibitors.” She added, “It’s nice to have something for the youth of Grant County to do in the summer.” Winegar said she’d like the event to continue next year, and if any juniors would be interested in orga- nizing it, she’s willing to help them. Gibco sponsored Bob Berg buckles for the cham- pions, Timbers Bistro donated hydro flasks for the reserve champions and Les Schwab Tire Center paid for the judge. Contributed photo Abby Winegar, left, organizer of the July 20 Steer Jackpot presents a buckle to Raney Anderson of Izee for her champion market steer. Winegar organized the jackpot for her senior project at Prairie City High School. The event was held at the Grant County Fairgrounds in John Day. No Matter how big or small your trophy was or if you just want to share a hunting adventure, send or drop off your best hunting photos or stories to 195 N Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845 • kim@bmeagle.com Your photos could be published in this year’s EAGLE HUNTING JOURNAL Please have them to the Eagle by August 8.
