No Lie
Texas loves The Band Perry & blonde bombshell Kimberly like no other — a recordRodeo crowd proves it
Kimberly Perry got more alive with each strum of her guitar.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
The Band Perry played to the second largest Rodeo crowd ever.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
And Kimberly Perry seemed to be having just as much fun as those 74,241 fans.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Neil PerryPhoto by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Reid PerryPhoto by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Coming straight off the energy from the introductory fireworks at Reliant Stadium Wednesday night were Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry, not skipping a single beat and keeping the electricity rocking throughout the crowd of 74,241 — the largest crowd the sibling trio The Band Perry has ever performed in front of and the second largest crowd in RodeoHouston history.
That rookie enthusiasm, mostly from the blonde bombshell Kimberly, was surely appreciated by every attendee. Kimberly Perry got more alive with each and every strum of her guitar as the band offered the fans some midweek "song therapy." Coming out in a black off-the-shoulder dress, all-black jewelry and knee-high black boots, Kimberly dazzled.
The boys stood on either side of her with Neil rocking a pearl snap and custom Reliant belt buckle (as pictured on Perry's Twitter timeline) while Reid opted for a more basic black tee and black pants. Though their outfits may not have screamed "I'm with the band," their vocals surely matched up for their 15-song set list. The Band Perry played in unison and performed their little hearts out.
You could tell how immensely excited the group was to play in front of the large audience in a state which was instrumental in kicking off their twangy career.
Lacking a big of a vault of No. 1 hits, like say a Blake Shelton, Perry threw in a number of classic rock 'n' roll songs to keep the crowd moving. Kimberly and the boys busted out an American Sing Along Medley which included samplings of Tom Petty's "Free Falling," John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane," "Me and Bobby McGhee', "American Pie" and even a hymnal version of "Amazing Grace."
Whether it was a well-timed five-hour energy drink or The Band Perry was just that happy to be in Houston, the band had much reason to celebrate and put on one hell of a show as Texas was the first place to play them on the radio. You could tell how immensely excited the group was to play in front of the large audience in a state which was instrumental in kicking off their twangy career.
After two-plus weeks of Rodeo concerts, it was refreshing to see a group of talented artists having as much fun on stage as the crowd was in their seats (or in the aisles dancing). Throughout the show, Kimberly Perry took a few long pauses to really let it all sink in.
I'm sure the "we finally made it" feeling has set in with the group long before now, but playing in front of this large crowd, in front of the state that heard their music first, you could tell this was one of those ah-ha moments for music enthusiasts.
"Daddy rocked us to sleep with the Rolling Stones; Mama woke us up with Loretta Lynn. So we get it honest," is how Kimberly Perry puts it on the band's website. That gives you a little feel for how the band got its unique voice and vibe of one part honky-tonk, one part rock 'n' roll and one part punk — all of which Perry brought into Reliant.
As the F-150 started out onto the dirt field signaling the end of the concert, I made a friendly wager that Kimberly was still so amped she'd forego the pickup and run past the end zone and into the tunnels.
In true Texas country female form, The Band Perry ended with its most famous song to date, "You Lie." Only, they started with a little rendition of Rihanna's "I Hate The Way You Lie" — dedicating the song to "all the cheaters out there."
I think they got the message. Well if my ex checked his voicemail, then they got the message.
As Kimberly Perry screamed out to the massive crowd, "It is bigger and better here in Texas, y'all!"
