Kimberly Perry Was Destined to "Bloom"

By Nicole Marchesi

We sat down with Kimberly Perry, formally the lead singer of The Band Perry, at CMA Fest to discuss “If I Die Young” reimagined, her new project “Bloom”, and becoming a mom. 

Experiencing CMA Fest for the first time as a solo artist, Perry described it as “feeling like a new artist, but with benefits.” Her fans were able to see her perform on the Chevy Vibes Stage and hear an exclusive interview about her new project “Bloom” on the CMA Close Up Stage. Her single off the project “If I Die Young Pt. 2” is a reflection of how Perry interprets the 9-time platinum-selling song “If I Die Young” as an adult. She realized that life becomes sweeter as you live it and you can’t trade the collective wisdom and the people that come into your life for anything. Highlighting the last line in the chorus, “now I know there’s no such thing as enough time,” she found that’s the biggest way she disagrees with her younger self and hopes people can relate growing up alongside her and the song. 

During CMA Fest, Perry dropped her first solo project “Bloom”. A long time coming, “Bloom” was written during a very transformative time in Perry’s life. The project was born with the help of new relationships she formed including a relationship with incredible female songwriter, Nicolle Galyon, who signed Kimberly to her publishing label -  Songs & Daughters. 

The album as a collection talks about creating a welcoming space to be able to grow and blossom. When asked about her inspiration, Perry explained, “All the female songwriters that have meant so much to me in the country format from Loretta Lynn to Dolly and also Paula Cole in 1996 with ‘Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?’ All the female country songwriters that we love so much, it was about their real-life experiences paralleling with my own. And really making their experiences mine. Hopefully, that’s what “Bloom” is for some ladies and gents out there.” 

The first track “Ghosts”, is Perry’s spin on a love song. In line with her southern gothic style, “Ghosts” talks about meeting the love of her life and in the afterlife. She told us that meeting her husband, Johnny, was a huge catalyst in operating on instinct rather than acting on the millions of other options thrown at her. Now the pair are expecting their first child and despite their nerves are excited about the next chapter in their lives. 

Stay tuned for visualizers to compliment “Bloom” and hear the album now at kimberlyperry.lnk.to/Bloom.EP