The Band Perry Scores Big with 'Pioneer'

Mary Morningstar
May 06,2013

The Band Perry recently scored a Number One debut on the U.S. Country charts with its new sophomore album, "Pioneer.'

From left, Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry and Reid Perry, of musical group The Band Perry, perform at the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, April 7, 2013.

The title track from the sibling trio’s first chart-topping collection was inspired by a journey across the United States. Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry drove from Nashville to California to record the project with legendary producer Rick Rubin. The band credits Rubin with improving the songs they had written for “Pioneer.” But, in the end, they returned to Nashville and worked with Dann Huff, who has produced hit records for such artists as Faith Hill, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts.

During the 18 months The Band Perry spent working on “Pioneer,” Kimberly and her younger brothers Reid and Neil faced some challenges.

“We had so many questions about our future, both personally and professionally," Kimberly said. "We also had to let go of fear and trust the boldness that has always informed our creative decisions.”

Kimberly and Neil explained what the new album means to them.

“We understand that sometimes when we hear that word, there’s a tendency to feel that it’s very antiquated or out of date, when in fact, ‘Pioneer’ couldn’t be any more of a modern word than it is," Kimberly said. "I mean, it’s about discovery. There is still so much left to be discovered. Yes, in the world around us, but especially a personal discovery. And the three of us learned so much about ourselves and each other and our music in the making of ‘Pioneer’.”

"And with that too, we had an image in our head as we were writing the music for ‘Pioneer’; we had an image of a marching band, an army marching forward," Neil added. "Always the forward motion and if you look on the cover of the album, the three of us are kind of leaning forward. We have very purposeful facial expressions and we wanted that to come across as well.”

The album's lead single, “Better Dig Two,” shot to the top of the Country Airplay chart where it spent two weeks earlier this year. The million-selling track became the fastest-rising radio hit of the trio’s career.

Since the release of its 2010 self-titled debut album, the band has graduated from performing in small clubs to arenas. Playing larger venues allowed them to add more of a rock edge to their sound.

On May 31, The Band Perry begins a North American tour with Rascal Flatts. Also in the group’s upcoming plans is its first headlining tour, set for 2014.

The Band Perry is now climbing the Country charts with the new single “Done.” Kimberly and Reid describe the fun they had in the studio while recording that song.

You know, as long as I’m dancing, I can sing that song in the right way," Kimberly said. "So I will say there was a lot of, of course under lock and key never to be seen outside of the vocal booth, but a lot of dancing going on around ‘Done.’

“She definitely felt the lyrics to that song,” Reid added.

“Yeah, I bring the spitfire in The Band Perry,” Kimberly replied.