By By CHRIST PROKOS
Staff Writer
The region’s music scene was shaken with the news that Parmalee drummer Scott Thomas was shot during a robbery attempt outside a Rock Hill, S.C., nightclub last week. With Thomas hospitalized, Parmalee has been forced to postpone or cancel shows.
The Shakedown, comprised of four Beaufort County musicians, is taking to the stage Saturday in support of its musical colleagues. The Shakedown and No Proof will co-headline a fundraising performance for Thomas and Parmalee at Live Bar in the Bells Fork shopping center on Fire Tower Road in Greenville. In addition to donation jars, all cover charges collected Saturday evening will go directly to the fund for Thomas and Parmalee.
Thomas remains in critically stable condition and is on a ventilator at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte while maintaining an elevated temperature for the past few days. He was scheduled to have his fourth surgery since the shooting a week ago as surgeons attempt to pinpoint the source of the fever.
“This was our normal scheduled night to do a show,” said Jim Daniels, The Shakedown bass player and promoter. “When we found out what happened, we wanted to do our part to help them. Along with Live Bar and No Proof, we turned this into a benefit. The bands are not getting paid. Everything goes directly to the fund. A lot of local area clubs and businesses are doing what they can to contribute.”
The Shakedown members — Daniels, guitarist Brandon Russ, vocalist Billy Craig III and drummer Billy Craig Jr. — have been playing together for six months. The band features ’90s rock along with some Motown, classic rock and ’80s rock. The band regularly performs at Music in the Streets and at Notes Cafe in Washington.
“A lot of the people who go to our shows would like Parmalee,” Daniels said. “They are a good example for local bands. They put a lot of hard work and dedication into it. They don’t have to be from the big city to make it. We have much respect for them because they are hard workers.”
For those unable to attend Saturday’s 8 p.m. show, donations may be made directly to the Parmalee fund website at http://www.helpparmalee.com.