The 2014 Florida Strawberry Festival will culminate with one of the hottest acts in American country music.
Huddled up in Canada last month, The Band Perry will migrate south for the Florida Strawberry Festival in the middle of its world tour. The 2014 appearance will be the siblings’ second time performing in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
The first time, they couldn’t get enough of Plant City’s famous fruit.
“I think this year, they’re going to pay us in strawberries,” bassist Reid Perry says, laughing.
The group, comprising siblings Reid, Neil and Kimberly Perry, officially formed in 2005, although they had been performing together since their childhood years. When Kimberly fronted her first band at 15, she used her younger brothers as roadies. Not wanting to be stuck in their sister’s shadow, Reid and Neil formed their own band. But, the three eventually came together in true harmony.
As a trio, they were booked for the New Faces of Country Tour. In 2008, they caught the eye of Garth Brooks’ manager, Bob Doyle, and label executives Jimmy Harnen and Scott Borchetta. One year later, The Band Perry signed with Republic Nashville and released its debut single, “Hip to My Heart.” But it was the single on the band’s self-titled EP, “If I Die Young,” that became a household tune. With the help of producers Nathan Chapman and Paul Worley, the single shot to No. 1 on the country charts.
At this year’s concert, The Band Perry plans to promote its new songs from the album, “Pioneer,” released last year. In 2012, the band began working with producer Rick Rubin on the second album and ended the session with producer Dann Huff. The second single, “Done,” charted No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart and the third single, “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” reached No. 2.
“One of the things people can expect are a lot more news songs,” Neil says. “Of course, we’ll play our old songs, too.”
Kimberly is looking forward to performing “Chainsaw.”
“If Led Zeppelin and Dixie Chicks had a love child,” Kimberly says of the new song.
Traveling the south as younger musicians, the trio has performed its fair share of festivals, carnivals and even crawfish boils.
“It’s really exciting for us to play different shows,” Neil says. “We love playing outside, too. The (Florida) Strawberry Festival will be a good one.”
Following its Plant City appearance, The Band Perry will take the tour overseas for dates in Dublin, Ireland and London, England, before returning to North America.
THE BAND PERRY
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 9
TICKETS: $40
WEBSITE: thefansperry.com
