WILLIAMSBURG — Saturday night’s Williamsburg Live show with The Band Perry promises to be a reunion for the ages, and lead singer Kimberly Perry recently sat down with WYDaily to explain it all.
The Band Perry — siblings Kimberly, Neil, and Reid Perry — started in 2005 and began touring extensively, performing at local festivals and fairs. The group built a grassroots fanbase with tight harmonies and a polished stage presence.
In 2008, the group had its big break when it was discovered by Bob Doyle, who, at the time, was managing Garth Brooks. Doyle helped the group land a record deal with Republic Nashville. From there, the group began working with producer Paul Worley, known for his work with the Dixie Chicks and Lady Antebellum.
Their debut single, “Hip to My Heart,” was released in 2009. However, it was their second single that Kimberly wrote, “If I Die Young,” that catapulted the group to fame.
After much time on the road, the group took a hiatus in late 2022.
“As a family, I’ve been on the road since I was 15. My brother Reid, his very first show, he was just 10 years old. We truthfully grew up on the road and loved every minute of it. In 2022, it became really clear, though, that everybody really just needed a break. We had done it since we were young and we kind of looked around and realized that we needed to build other elements of our lives,” Kimberly said.
Having grown up in the Appalachian Mountains, the group was devastated to watch the effects Hurricane Helene left on their hometown. After talking as a family, Kimberly and Reid banded together again to lend their voices to a benefit concert for the region.
“We got together in January and did a hometown benefit show for Greenville. It was our first official show back, and it was just such a special night and such a catalyst for us getting back together to start making music, and from that show, we decided to start adding shows to 2025,” Kimberly said.
Their visit to Williamsburg also holds special significance.
“Our parents, when they first got married, they honeymooned in Colonial Williamsburg. They would take all three of us back several Christmases over the subsequent years, so I know Williamsburg very well,” Kimberly said.
The concert coincides with the group’s 15th anniversary of its first project.
“We’re going to combine the hits from our first record and our second album with some of our favorite deep cuts. We’re also going to try out a couple brand new songs as well. I’m just really excited to bring this music to the Williamsburg stage,” Kimberly said.
Local Hampton Roads talent Celeste Kellogg will open for The Band Perry.
“I’m super excited to play with her. I think that’s one of my favorite things at shows. If it’s an artist that we haven’t necessarily gotten to cross paths with yet, just to sit side stage and enjoy their perspective and their performance, we always look forward to doing that,” Kimberly said.
Tickets for The Band Perry show are still available through the Virginia Arts Festival website.