The band, who took their name from their hometown Parmele, North Carolina, formed in the early '00s after brothers Matt and Scott Thomas spent years playing alongside their dad in his band. (Cousin Barry Knox and longtime friend Josh McSwain round out the group.) While their early music was grittier and more rock-based, the guys have�of all people�Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx to thank for going the country route.

While recording at a L.A. studio, their producer called up Sixx to see if he would be willing to lend a hand. "He came in and wrote some songs with us," Knox told Radio.com. "We were definitely different than what he had been used to working with."

McSwain chimed in: "Well, that's the weirdest thing, what steered our songwriting was a meeting with Nikki Sixx that led us to Nashville. It doesn't make any sense, but that really is the way it happened."

Chance meetings, like their session with Sixx, are a theme throughout Parmalee's rising career, "Carolina" being another example. After several label showcases and subsequent rejection, Matt approached one A&R guy, knowing Parmalee would not be signed.

"Being me, I said, 'What would you have us do? If you sign us tomorrow, what would you do with us?'"