MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Watson, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Davis, Dawkins, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Michel, Wilemon
A RESOLUTION SALUTING MISSISSIPPI'S "THE BAND PERRY" FOR WINNING THE TOP NEW ARTIST AWARD AT THE PRESTIGIOUS ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS IN LAS VEGAS.
WHEREAS, Mississippi's own "The Band Perry" won the Top New Artist Award at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, April 3, 2011; and
WHEREAS, the group's members - siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry - were born in Mississippi and spent their early years in Madison. It was the trio's second win, after taking home Top New Vocal Duo or Group before the awards; and
WHEREAS, their song "If I Die Young" went to No. 1 in December; and
WHEREAS, The Band Perry is, indeed, walking among country music's elite artists. But first things first: the siblings who make up the group - Kimberly, 27; Reid, 22; and Neil, 20 - want to clear up one thing that appears in many of their online bios: Alabama is not their home state, Mobile is not their hometown. "Our hometown is in Mississippi, right there in the Ridgeland and Madison area." Kimberly attended Madison Avenue Elementary through fifth grade, Rosa Scott in sixth grade and St. Andrew's Episcopal School in seventh grade before her dad, Pediatrician Steve Perry, moved his practice in 1996 from Ridgeland to Grand Bay, Alabama, which is near his hometown of Moss Point; and
WHEREAS, this is not an overnight success story. Kimberly always loved music and studied piano at an early age. But it was the guitar that stirred her most. She formed a group at age 15. Reid and Neil often tagged along to her gigs. Neil followed by learning drums, mandolin and accordion. Their recipe of instruments and vocal harmony proved invaluable as a hobby soon transformed into a career choice. They began performing together 13 years ago. Countless performances provided the platform to develop stage presence and an unmistakable tightness musically; and
WHEREAS, it was the song "If I Die Young" which went to No. 1 in December 2010, the song that earned nominations for Single Record of the Year (a musician's award) and Song of the Year (a songwriter's award). It was the song, Neil says, "that said a big 'hello!' to the country music world; and
WHEREAS, Nashville is filled with talented musicians who never make it out of the club scene, never hear their voices on the radio. The Band Perry - who is preparing for a summer tour with Tim McGraw - knew the odds of making it big were long, and it is with great pride that we recognize three young Mississippi artists who have brought much joy and honor to their hometown and home state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby salute Mississippi's "The Band Perry" for winning the Top New Artist Award at the prestigious Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 3, 2011, and extend to the band and their family members our best wishes for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to The Band Perry, forwarded to the Mississippi Arts Commission, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.