The Band Perry with MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson.

Members of The Band Perry say they have learned to “work smarter, not necessarily harder” during the making of their upcoming album. “This third album is the only time we’ve taken time off the road to actually be in the studio,” Kimberly Perry told MusicRow on Tuesday (Sept. 1) during a visit to the publication’s offices.

The sibling trio has been performing together for more than 16 years and has barely slowed down since the release of their debut album five years ago.

Elaborating on the upcoming project, Reid Perry said, “Recording this third album we weren’t really thinking about genres as much as honesty, and being true to who The Band Perry is, and being excellent at whatever we produced. We weren’t necessarily chasing a particular sound, other than what The Band Perry normally does, which is three-part harmony, a narrative in a song, Neil’s mandolin, and acoustic guitar. But we did incorporate a lot of modern sounds as well, like bigger drum beats.”

“Country music is very interesting and has changed a lot in the past five years,” said Kimberly. “Our genre is steeped in tradition. You’ve got everything from the tradition of the Opry, to the tradition that it is a narrative genre. Sometimes it’s about mandolin and banjo, sometimes it’s about family three-part harmony. So for us, that’s our brand of modern country.

“This umbrella of country seems to be more widespread than ever before. I think it’s a really cool day when there’s not a creative glass ceiling for country artists, because I don’t like the idea of having to shed your country skin just to be able explore something else creatively. I love to be able to be a country artist but still grow. Songs and creativity are organisms and they’re ever growing and ever changing. That’s why we went back to home plate to put out ‘Gentle On My Mind’ to radio and honor the tradition, but then we put out [new single] ‘Live Forever’ after that, with more of a modern spin.”

Reid agreed, “With The Band Perry, people expect us to do the unexpected.”

MusicRow staff with The Band Perry pictured (L-R): Kelsey Grady, Eric Parker, Neil Perry, Sarah Skates, Sherod Robertson, Kimberly Perry, Jessica Nicholson, Reid Perry, Robert Oermann, Troy Stephenson

Exile

Exile Joins Webster Public Relations

Exile has joined the roster of publicity firm Webster Public Relations.

“How many bands with the original members have been around as long as Exile has? Not many,” says Webster Public Relations president Kirt Webster. “Getting the opportunity to represent and work with this group of guys is exciting. Their music is timeless, their attitude towards the business is still full of excitement, and they still sound amazing.”

Founded in Richmond, Ky., in 1963, Exile, recently celebrated 50 years in the music industry. The band found success in 1978 with the hit “Kiss You All Over,” which sold in excess of five-million singles, and haven’t slowed down since. Exile’s achievements include nine consecutive No. 1 singles with tunes such as “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory,” and “Give Me One More Chance.” Exile has sold over 11 million albums and accumulated 13 award nominations from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

Deborah Evans Price To Release ‘Country Faith Christmas’

Journalist and author Deborah Evans Price has compiled heart-warming Christmas stories from 37 of country music’s most well-known artists for Country Faith Christmas, the followup to 2013’s Country Faith.

Country Faith Christmas releases Oct. 19 via Regnery Publishing. The book includes stories and holiday recipes from Florida Georgia Line, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Darius Rucker, and Brenda Lee as well as a foreword written by Kimberly Schlapman (Little Big Town) and four Advent meditations from Charlie Daniels.

Darius Rucker Surprises South Carolina Fans With CMT Instant Jam Concert

Darius Rucker surprised his hometown of Charleston, S.C., last week with a pop-up concert for CMT. “CMT Instant Jam: Darius Rucker” premieres Saturday, September 5 at 10 p.m., ET/PT. With the Atlantic Ocean serving as the backdrop, the one-hour show features Rucker jamming on the beach at local hotspot The Windjammer to hits including “Homegrown Honey,” “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” “Alright,” Hootie and the Blowfish favorite “Only Wanna Be With You,” and more.

Pictured (L-R): Jayson Dinsmore, EVP, Development, CMT; John Hamlin, Executive Producer, Switched On Entertainment; Darius Rucker; Margaret Comeaux, VP, Music & Event Production, CMT; Leslie Fram, SVP Music & Talent, CMT. Photo credit: Getty/Rick Diamond

Maddie & Tae Give Fans A Sweet Treat

Last night (Sept. 1), after a day full of press including two performances on the TODAY show, Maddie & Tae entertained fans at the flagship Dylan’s Candy Bar on the Upper East Side in Manhattan. Dylan’s Candy Bar is owned by Ralph Lauren’s daughter Dylan.

Maddie & Tae welcome guests to a private performance at Dylan’s Candy Bar in New York City – the famed candy shop owned by Ralph Lauren’s daughter, Dylan. Photo: Getty Images for Dot Records

Kenny Chesney Performs With Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi

As Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival Tour played Gillette Stadium this past weekend, Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey and Brad Tursi joined Kenny on stage for a performance of his current single, “Save it for a Rainy Day,” co-written by Brad, Matthew and Andrew Dorff.

Pictured (L-R): Chesney, Ramsey, Tursi. Photo: Kyle Beerman

Carrie Underwood Meets KMNB’s Kenny Jay And Son

Before her sold-out show at the Minnesota State Fair this past weekend, 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville’s Carrie Underwood caught up with KMNB PD Kenny Jay and his son, Brooks, who marched boldly up to Carrie and exclaimed, “You are Beautiful!”

Brooks, Kenny Jay, Carrie Underwood

Denny Strickland Opens For Kentucky Headhunters

Red Star Productions artist Denny Strickland is celebrating his hot new single, “How Far You Wanna Go” and his recent show hosted by WKSR Radio in Pulaski, Tenn., opening for the Kentucky Headhunters.

Pictured (L-R): Richard Young, Greg Martin, Denny Strickland, Doug Phelps and Fred Young.
Photo: Red Star Productions

Lady A Continues Sold Out Tour

This weekend, Lady Antebellum’s Wheels Up 2015 Tour touched down for more capacity crowds. Stopping for the PGA Dick’s Sporting Goods Open in Endicott, N.Y. (Aug. 28) and the Allen County Fair in Lima, Ohio (Aug. 29), the trio rocked the “largest concert crowd in Allen County Fair history” (The Lima News) hosting a total of over 45,000 fans across the course of the weekend.

Shanna Henderson Visits WSM

Oliver Ann Music’s Shanna Henderson stopped by the WSM Studios recently to visit with Charlie Mattos, co-host and producer of Coffee, Country and Cody. The star of the hit show Glee Project 2 debuted her new single “Hell or Highwater,” and chatted about the song’s music video, which you can click here to watch.

Pictured (L-R): WSM’s Mattos, Henderson and guitar player Cam Passara.