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The Band Perry rocks near-capacity crowd at Jackson County Fairgrounds (with photos)

By Zeke Jennings | August 4, 2013

JACKSON, MI – The Band Perry doesn’t waste time.

The sibling trio from Greeneville, Tenn., kicked off its performance Sunday, Aug. 4, in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Jackson County Fairgrounds with its current smash hit, “Done.”

“Welcome to the show everybody!” howled lead singer Kimberly Perry before the group jumped into another of its big hits, “You Lie.”

Not every chair on the track or bleacher spot in the grandstand was filled, but there weren’t many empties. The big turnout almost seemed to surprise Kimberly Perry.

“I didn’t know you were all going to fill up the sides and all the way to the top,” she said scanning the crowd. “Thank you so much for coming out.

“Look at you, Michigan, you are magnificent!”

Kimberly, 30, along with younger brothers Reid and Neil, ages 24 and 23, brought plenty of energy to a big crowd that, outside of the fans on the track, was a little slow to return the favor during the early stages of the show.

About a dozen tracks into the set as dusk was settling on the fairgrounds, the band ripped into its country version of Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls,” which seemed to send a jolt of energy up through the grandstand.

The crowd continued to stay energized through “Double Heart” and “Postcard from Paris” before the group’s most recognizable hit, “If I Die Young,” a touching ballad that seemingly everyone in the attendance sang along with.

Ashley Maloney was working one of the lemonade stands inside the concert, but took a break to enjoy “If I Die Young” with the rest of the crowd and take a video of the performance with her phone.

“That made me cry,” she said.

In addition to “Fat Bottomed Girls,” the Band Perry included bits and pieces of “Amazing Grace,” Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” during its set.

Kristen Kelly, who had a top-30 hit with her debut single “Ex-Old Man” in 2012, was the opening act for the Band Perry.

The two acts will team up for a concert at the Midland County Fair on Monday, Aug. 12.

(Pre-concert interview with the Band Perry.)

Heavy metal veterans Godsmack will headline a night of hard rock that will include West Michigan’s Pop Evil on Monday, Aug. 5, at the fairgrounds.

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/jackson/index.ssf/2013/08/the_band_perry_rocks_near-capa.html