Band Perry
The Band Perry is an American country music group comprised of siblings Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry. Originating from Jackson, Mississippi, and raised in Mobile, Alabama, they have been involved in music from a young age, with Kimberly initially leading a country band in her teens. The group gained national attention after forming in the early 2000s and touring various venues, leading to a recording contract with Republic Nashville Records in 2009. Their debut album, released in 2010, featured the hit single "If I Die Young," which garnered significant acclaim, including Grammy nominations and multiple awards.
As they evolved, the Band Perry began experimenting with pop influences, resulting in a noticeable shift in their sound. They signed with Interscope Records in 2016 but later opted for independent production, releasing a series of EPs and singles. Throughout their career, they have made a substantial impact on the country music landscape, appealing particularly to younger audiences and blending traditional country elements with contemporary styles. The group's journey reflects a commitment to musical exploration while remaining connected to their roots.
Subject Terms
Band Perry
Music group
Kimberly Perry
- Born: July 12, 1983
- Place of Birth: Jackson, Mississippi
Neil Perry
- Born: July 23, 1990
- Place of Birth: Jackson, Mississippi
Reid Perry
- Born: November 17, 1988
- Place of Birth: Jackson, Mississippi
- Kimberly Perry
- Vocalist, guitarist, and pianist
- Neil Perry
- Mandolinist and accordionist
- Reid Perry
- Bass guitarist
Contribution: The Band Perry is an American country music act. The group received a Grammy Award nomination in 2011 for Best Country Song for the single “If I Die Young” and in 2012 was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Background
The Band Perry is composed of three siblings: lead vocalist Kimberly Perry, bass guitarist Reid Perry, and mandolinist Neil Perry. The children of Steve and Marie Perry, the Perry siblings were born in Jackson, Mississippi, and raised in Mobile, Alabama. The Perry children explored diverse musical interests throughout childhood. Growing up, they were each involved in a variety of bands in their hometown, playing both rock and country classics.
At age fifteen, Kimberly became the lead vocalist of a country band she formed with her fellow high school classmates. Reid and Neil, then age eight and ten, respectively, often acted as roadies for the group. As they grew older and more experienced, the Perry brothers would also occasionally perform with their own band as an opening act for their sister’s group.
The Perry parents strongly encouraged all three of their children to pursue careers in music during their teenage years, even if it meant postponing plans for secondary education. In the early 2000s, after several years of performing in and around their home, the siblings joined together to form a single group, adopting the name the Band Perry.
Career
In 2005, after several years of performing in and around their native Mobile, the band began to tour at the national level, primarily through the Coca-Cola New Faces of Country exhibition. This tour had the group performing at regional Walmart stores throughout the United States, an experience they later credited with helping them to establish crucial contacts with music industry professionals, country-music radio personalities, and fellow country-music artists.
In 2006, the band joined the TGI Friday’s Friday Night Concerts Tour, which gave them the opportunity to perform at venues nationwide. In 2009, buoyed by its increasing live repertoire and unique sibling vocal harmonies, the Band Perry was signed by Republic Nashville Records, the label of notable country music artists Martina McBride and Fast Ryde.
The band’s first full-length album, The Band Perry, was released in October 2010 to strong commercial sales but mixed critical reviews. Country-music website Roughstock.com lauded the album’s musicianship, but more prominent publications, such as the Guardian, panned the album.
The Band Perry ultimately charted five hit singles. The album’s most successful single, “If I Die Young,” eventually sold more than four million copies. Written by Kimberly, “If I Die Young” features elaborate country-style orchestration and a narrative contemplating the fleeting nature of human life.
“If I Die Young” received a bevy of national music awards and helped to establish the Band Perry as one of country music’s most promising up-and-coming acts. The song was nominated as best country song at the fifty-third Grammy Awards and won the award for song of the year at the 2011 Country Music Association Awards. The accompanying music video was also nominated for the CMT Country Music Award for music video of the year.
The band’s sophomore record, Pioneer, was released in April 2013. The album was lauded by Billboard magazine, and critical praise for Pioneer centered largely on Kimberly’s emergence as one of country music’s most talented and commanding female performers. The band spent 2013 touring throughout the United States and Great Britain in support of the record. Popular singles from the album include "Better Dig Two," "Done," and "Chainsaw."
In 2015, the band began shifting their sound toward pop music, releasing the crossover single "Live Forever," on which they collaborated with pop producer RedOne. The following year, the Band Perry signed with Interscope Records, with whom they released the country single "Comeback Kid," in 2016, and the pop single "Stay in the Dark," in 2017. The group left Interscope Records in 2018, however, before producing an album for the label.
The Band Perry instead began producing music independently, releasing an extended play (EP) record of previously unreleased country music titled From the Vault: 2010–2013 in 2018. They followed with another EP the same year, a five-song collection of electronic and pop music called Coordinates. In 2019, the group released the singles "The Good Life" and "Nite Swim."
After being shut down from touring during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the group attempted to continue their career, but eventually went on what Kimberly termed a hiatus. She launched a solo career in 2023 with the EP Bloom.
Impact
In less than a decade of existence, the Band Perry harnessed a family’s love of music into international acclaim and commercial success. The band’s evolving sound continually draws on classic American rock influences while staying true to the roots of country music. The group’s popularity among the young generation of country music fans helped to propel country music further into mainstream popular culture.
Personal Life
Kimberly is a passionate collector of antiques. She married baseball player J. P. Arencibia in 2014; the couple divorced in 2018. She remarried in 2021 to Johnny Costello; the couple had their first child, a son named Whitaker James, in 2023. Reid is an active equestrian, while Neil is an avid fly fisherman.
Bibliography
Band Perry, The. “Interview with the Band Perry.” Interview by Ken Morton. The 9513. The 9513, 15 Apr. 2010. Web. 23 Aug. 2013.
Cox, Joanie. “The Band Perry’s Sibling Harmony.” Sun Sentinel [Fort Lauderdale]. Tribune Newspapers, 25 Jan. 2011. Web. 23 Aug. 2013.
Hudak, Joseph. “The Band Perry Refuses to Fall Back.” Country Weekly. American Media, 29 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 Aug. 2013.
Moss, Marissa R. "Kimberly Perry on The Band Perry’s Breakup: ‘Did We Leave or Were We Kicked Out?’" Rolling Stone, 8 June 2023, www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kimberly-perry-why-band-perry-broke-up-bloom-1234766321/. Accessed 16 Sept. 2024.
Nicholson, Jessica. "Kimberly Perry Welcomes Baby Boy With Husband Johnny Costello." Billboard, 7 Sept. 2023, www.billboard.com/music/country/kimberly-perry-welcomes-son-whit-costello-1235408405/. Accessed 16 Sept. 2024.
Ross, David M. “Republic Nashville Signs the Band Perry.” Music Row. Music Row, 17 Aug. 2009. Web. 23 Aug. 2013.