PFI's Party in the Parking Lot draws thousands in south Springfield

PFI Western owner Randy Little wasn't sure how many country fans would turn out for his annual PFI/PBR Party in the Parking Lot concert, or how much money it would raise for two cherished charities: Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks and the Rider Relief Fund, a group that helps defray medical costs for those in the injury-prone sport of professional bull-riding.

"I don't use numbers," Little said in an interview with the News-Leader a few hours before contemporary country artists Old Dominion took the stage, supported by newcomer Michael Ray and former "America's Got Talent" top-five finalist Jason Pritchett.

Yet Little was comfortable making another prediction: "It's not going to rain."

That's what Little told the crowd when he took the stage to emcee before showtime.

He had been saying so all day, even as the Springfield weather forecast threatened to be wet and stormy. But apart from some sprinkles around 3 p.m., the sky was dry by the time opening act Pritchett took the stage.

Cortney Little-Ash, Little's daughter and PFI Western's head marketer, said the benefit concert brought in between 9,000 and 10,000 people last year. She thought it could have more attendees in 2016 based on fast-paced ticket sales.

Seats were $30 each, a standing-room-only pit near the stage was $40 per person and VIP spots on a set of risers left of the stage — which sold out in a day — were $50 each.

Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks executive director Crystal Webster said everyone involved with the charity was delighted by PFI Western's support through the concert series.

Last year's portion of the proceeds donated to BCFO funded the equivalent of 170 mammograms. "That allows us to pay the bill for that so women receive those screenings," she said.

And Webster added that she really appreciated the artists who play. "Randy Little knows how to put together a great concert," she said.

Concert-goers Shelby Hall and Rachel Swofford, both from Ava, and their friend Lena Alsup, who lives in Springfield to attend college, said they were happy to turn out for Party in the Parking Lot so they could see Old Dominion play its brand of rock- and hip-hop influenced country.

"He (Old Dominion lead singer Matthew Ramsey) just has songs we're going to sing to," Hall said.

"On the radio, they're catchy, they're upbeat," Swofford said.

The three came to last year's Party in the Parking Lot and said they like the way the concert series presents up-and-coming musicians who are on the edge of public popularity.

After PFI Western brought in 21-year-old singer Tucker Beathard last year, all three women said they got really excited when they started hearing Beathard's songs on the radio a few months later.

"I just think it's really neat that it's in Springfield where we have this, and the guy who was here last year is charting now," Hall said.

This year's up-and-comer is Michael Ray, a 28-year-old who starts his first headline concert tour next month. For 10 years, he's served as opening act for the likes of country artist Darius Rucker (of '90s-era Hootie and the Blowfish fame).

Ray and Rucker toured together this summer just before Ray's appearance at Party in the Parking Lot. In an interview with the News-Leader, Ray said the experience put things in perspective for him.

"Being able to tour with, I mean, a music legend like Darius and be able to be mentored, and watch him — that's something I value."

In the middle of a packed concert in Ray's home state of Florida, Rucker said to him, "Can you believe we do this for a living?"

"From somebody like Darius, that was powerful," Ray said. "We're very fortunate. You know, everybody making memories together, that’s what music is all about."

In a separate interview, the artists of Old Dominion said they were keen to play Party in the Parking Lot before going back in the studio to record their new album and going out on a headlining tour starting Sept. 22.

But they hadn't gotten out much in Springfield during their stop, except for a swing by breakfast restaurant Jimmy's Egg.

"I liked it," said bass guitarist Geoff Sprung.

"We bought a coffee mug," said lead singer Matthew Ramsey. "The guy that sells our T-shirts, his name is Jimmy."