Latest news with #Parmalee
CTV News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Visa delay turns London, Ont. singer-songwriter's big break in the U.S. to heartbreak
A local singer-songwriter had to cancel her New York state performance due to delays obtaining a visa. With more, here's CTV London's Daryl Newcombe. Rather than opening for a multi-platinum band in upstate New York, a local singer-songwriter stayed in London because of recent delays processing visas to perform in the United States. 'Today was the day, and we are going to miss out,' country singer and songwriter Amanda Keeles told CTV News. On Friday, Keeles was scheduled to perform with her band immediately before headliner Parmalee takes the stage at HarborFest 2025 in Oswego, New York. 'This was our first step into the U.S.,' she explained. 'We could have had an incredible band like Parmalee on our resume, that we opened for them at a music festival in the United States.' However, the P-2 Visa application for Keeles and her band to perform in the U.S. is stuck in a processing backlog. 'We sent the applications in plenty of time,' she explained. 'The fee was processed, [but] we kept getting notifications that there were delays.' Amanda Keeles London-based country singer-songwriter Amanda Keeles. (Source: Submitted) Musical artists across Canada have recently experienced much longer delays getting the required visa from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A three-to-six-month processing period for Canadian artists has recently jumped to a year. 'Wait times have increased in both service centers in the U.S. now,' said Liana White, executive director – Canadian Office of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. 'The Vermont Service Center that we deal with, they just increased their processing times last month. So, it was quite a blindside for us.' Keeles was recently told she could try expediting her visa application for $2,800 dollars U.S.—but there was no guarantee. Instead, she had to cancel her first opportunity to perform songs to an American audience. 'This is the world we're living in, unfortunately,' she said. 'Artists are getting caught up in this red tape of politics and delays.' White says a lobbying effort is underway to convince U.S. officials to address the backlog facing Canadian artists. 'The message that is being delivered back to us is that we need examples and data from the U.S. venues, which are impacted by these last minute cancellations,' she said. Keeles added, 'It is so unfortunate because musicians just love to play their music. And this is what is happening.' Undeterred by the setback, Keeles is choosing to cowgirl up— focusing on her current tour including stops in Collingwood, Thunder Bay, and Canada's east coast.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Visa delays turn London, Ont. singer-songwriter's big break in the U.S. to heartbreak
A local singer-songwriter had to cancel her New York state performance due to delays obtaining a visa. With more, here's CTV London's Daryl Newcombe. A local singer-songwriter had to cancel her New York state performance due to delays obtaining a visa. With more, here's CTV London's Daryl Newcombe. Rather than opening for a multi-platinum band in upstate New York, a local singer-songwriter stayed in London because of recent delays processing visas to perform in the United States. 'Today was the day, and we are going to miss out,' country singer and songwriter Amanda Keeles told CTV News. On Friday, Keeles was scheduled to perform with her band immediately before headliner Parmalee takes the stage at HarborFest 2025 in Oswego, New York. 'This was our first step into the U.S.,' she explained. 'We could have had an incredible band like Parmalee on our resume, that we opened for them at a music festival in the United States.' However, the P-2 Visa application for Keeles and her band to perform in the U.S. is stuck in a processing backlog. 'We sent the applications in plenty of time,' she explained. 'The fee was processed, [but] we kept getting notifications that there were delays.' Amanda Keeles London-based country singer-songwriter Amanda Keeles. (Source: Submitted) Musical artists across Canada have recently experienced much longer delays getting the required visa from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A three-to-six-month processing period for Canadian artists has recently jumped to a year. 'Wait times have increased in both service centers in the U.S. now,' said Liana White, executive director – Canadian Office of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. 'The Vermont Service Center that we deal with, they just increased their processing times last month. So, it was quite a blindside for us.' Keeles was recently told she could try expediting her visa application for $2,800 dollars U.S.—but there was no guarantee. Instead, she had to cancel her first opportunity to perform songs to an American audience. 'This is the world we're living in, unfortunately,' she said. 'Artists are getting caught up in this red tape of politics and delays.' White says a lobbying effort is underway to convince U.S. officials to address the backlog facing Canadian artists. 'The message that is being delivered back to us is that we need examples and data from the U.S. venues, which are impacted by these last minute cancellations,' she said. Keeles added, 'It is so unfortunate because musicians just love to play their music. And this is what is happening.' Undeterred by the setback, Keeles is choosing to cowgirl up— focusing on her current tour including stops in Collingwood, Thunder Bay, and Canada's east coast.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Clinton County Fair returning for six days
MORRISONVILLE — North Country residents can get their annual dose of family friendly fun at the Clinton County Fairgrounds next week as the fair is back for six full days. Set for Monday through July 12, the 77th annual Clinton County Fair will soon light up the night sky with its iconic and colorful midway, featuring amusement rides and games for all ages and a variety of crave-worthy carnival concessions. Additionally, the contemporary country music hitmakers Parmalee take the Glenn Gillespie Stage on Friday with their acclaimed melodies and energy-infused guitar licks. Rising star Thomas Mac will open for the group. Other grandstand entertainment includes the Lucky E Rodeo on Monday, a cornhole tournament Tuesday, the New York State Tractor Pullers Association on Wednesday and the Della Auto Group Demolition Derby on July 12. Throughout the week, the fairgrounds will also host daily performances of the popular children's shows 'Pipsqueak's Party Time Clown Show' and 'Buffalo Barfield,' both longtime fair favorites. A few mischievous marine mammals will also be on hand making daily waves as part of the 'Sea Lion Splash' show, and wagon rides will be provided by Country Dreams Farm. As always, the fair will feature a robust agricultural component, with a variety of 4-H livestock exhibits, agricultural displays and demonstrations and educational contests. Admission to the fairgrounds is $9 per person and free for children age 12 and younger. A special rate of $5 for individuals age 4 and older will be offered Monday. The reduced rate will be offered to all veterans with ID on Tuesday and to senior citizens age 62 and older Thursday. A season pass for fairgrounds admission can be purchased for $35. Admission to the fair does not include admission to rides or grandstand events. Wristbands, which provide unlimited access to most rides for a single day, can be purchased for $35. Tickets to grandstand events can be purchased online at For more information, visit
Miami Herald
27-02-2025
- Miami Herald
Man set fire that killed girlfriend's mom and grandma, GA cops say. He's prison-bound
An 'abusive' boyfriend accused of setting a fire that killed his girlfriend's mother and grandmother will spend the rest of his life in prison, Georgia prosecutors said. Jurors convicted Robert Colt Smith, 32, on charges of felony murder and first-degree arson in the 2023 house fire, the Cobb County District Attorney's Office said Feb. 27. He was also found guilty of aggravated battery and aggravated assault for attacking his then-girlfriend, Carolyn Parmalee, 19, before starting the deadly blaze, according to prosecutors. Parmalee's mom, 52-year-old Andrea Nall, and grandma, 74-year-old Michelle Lacroix, died March 12, 2023, when flames tore through their home in Austell, prosecutors said. The family's eight pets were also killed. 'This community was robbed of two amazing women who opened their home as a refuge,' Senior Assistant District Attorney Jared Horowitz, who prosecuted the case with Senior Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Green, said in a news release. 'These two mothers did what any parent would — protect their children from an abuser,' Horowitz said. 'But this defendant used fire to seek revenge.' Prosecutors pointed to Smith's history of abuse, citing beatings that landed Parmalee in a hospital on three occasions, according to the release. One attack on Feb. 14, 2022, left her with 'severe black eyes' and 'a shoe print on her face.' Smith was arrested but released on bond on a no-contact order, prosecutors said. However, he and Parmalee continued seeing each other. After repeated assaults on her daughter, Andrea Nall tried to have Smith's bond revoked for violating the no-contact order, according to the DA's office. Smith found out and started a fire outside the family's home, authorities said. 'He used the (spray) paint as an accelerant to set fire to a Honda CRV parked under the carport,' prosecutors said. 'The vehicle ignited instantly, spreading flames to the carport and the house.' Nall, Lacroix and their pets died of smoke inhalation, authorities said. 'This case is a tragic reminder of how domestic violence can escalate to devastating consequences,' Cobb County District Attorney Sonya F. Allen said in a statement. A judge sentenced Smith to two life sentences plus 20 years in prison, prosecutors said. Austell is about a 20-mile drive northwest from downtown Atlanta.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oswego Harborfest announces 2025 Friday night headliner
OSWEGO, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — North Carolina-based country band, Parmalee will be welcomed as the Friday night headliner of Oswego Harborfest 2025. Oneida swan in good hands after being found on snowbank days prior Funding deadline looms before Congress Fire erupts at same Jamesville lumber yard 9 years later Oswego Harborfest announces 2025 Friday night headliner United Way of Seneca County hosting pop-up thrift shop to help Ovid The concert will be at Breitbeck Park Constellation stage on July 25 at 9:15 p.m. Parmalee had '…four #1 singles on Billboard's Country Airplay charts: 'Carolina,' 'Just The Way' (with Blanco Brown), 'Take My Name' and 'Gonna Love You.' Their next album, 'Fell In Love With A Cowgirl,' will be released in April,' said Oswego Harborfest. Canadian singer Amanda Kneeles will open for the band at 6:45 p.m. 'It's going to be a great night of music, in the Harborfest tradition. You'll also discover a performer to watch in Amanda Keeles and enjoy the classic sounds of Chris Taylor and his band. You can bring your lawn chairs to the show but make sure to leave some space in front of you so you can dance!' said Dan Harrington, executive director. Harborfest is an annual tradition in Oswego. The 2025 festival will take place July 24 through July 27. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
