The Band Perry Emerges As “Comeback Kid” With New Label, New Music

The Band Perry performs at Ruby in Nashville. Photo: Alan Poizner

“Despite what you’ve heard, The Band Perry is not going anywhere,” The Band Perry‘s Kimberly Perry told a crowd of industry members gathered for music listening party at Nashville venue Ruby on Monday (Aug. 1).

One year ago, The Band Perry released the single “Live Forever” to country radio; the heavily pop-leaning track fizzled. The sibling trio later parted ways with longtime label home Republic Nashville (now BMLG Records) earlier this year.

Now, as one of Mercury Nashville’s latest signings, via a joint venture with Interscope, The Band Perry is set to make their comeback.

Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry introduced their new single, the aptly titled “Comeback Kid.” A testament to strength and endurance, the song blends themes of confusion, suffering, hope, determination and, ultimately, triumph.

“‘Comeback Kid’ follows the narrative of what the three of us have been feeling over the past year, but also something bigger,” said Kimberly Perry. “It is the story of anyone who’s walked through a challenging time only to come out the other side much stronger and wiser.”

The Band Perry with Grand Ole Opry’s Pete Fisher. Photo: Alan Poizner

“A few months back, [The Band Perry’s manager] Coran Capshaw called me and Mike [Dungan] and asked if we would have any interest in meeting with The Band Perry,” UMG Nashville president Cindy Mabe told the audience. “We went over and listened to the music and fell in love with these kids.

“We had been fans from the very beginning. ‘If I Die Young,’ six million copies, I think it touched everyone on the planet,” Mabe continued. “But after we got to see them and their work ethic and all they were made of, we knew this was somebody we wanted to work with. After they shared some music with us we feel deeper in love with these guys and today is our comeback day.”

Since their breakthrough single, “If I Die Young,” released in 2010, the trio has increasingly explored rock-inspired rhythms of songs like “Better Dig Two.” “Comeback Kid” marks the first time the trio has co-produced one of their own songs, alongside producer Benny Cassette.

The Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry with CMT’s Leslie Fram. Photo: Alan Poizner

“This has been an incredible year of transformation for the three of us,” said Kimberly Perry. “Our lives look completely different now than they did six months ago and all for the better. We are completely in love with our Mercury family who have been so good and embraced us as their own. It is so refreshing to be in a place that champions your music, and challenges you, but does it in a respectful way that makes you want to be better and better and work harder and harder.”

Moored by a newly-brunette Kimberly Perry’s husky vocals and onstage presence that punctuates each lyric, The Band Perry presented a unified front, complete with their signature family harmonies. Following a rendition of “Comeback Kid,” the band offered two additional fresh songs, including “The Best One Yet.”

“It’s the story of our relationship with each other, how we are so invasive of each other’s privacies, especially when it comes to relationships,” Kimberly quipped.

They followed with the smoldering new track, “Stay in the Dark,” before wrapping with the TBP hits “Better Dig Two” and “Done.”.

The trio also used the occasion to support Teen Cancer America, via the launch of a million-dollar fundraising effort. Prior to the listening party, The Band Perry donated $25,000, their winnings from an appearance on ABC’s Celebrity Family Feud, directly to the program. The band will work with Teen Cancer America and Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Monroe Carrel Jr. Children’s Hospital throughout the year on various fundraising initiatives.

The Band Perry donates $25,000 to Teen Cancer America. Photo: Alan Poizner