When The Band Perry performed at the Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair in Westminster two years ago, the sibling trio had just started out on the national country music scene.
They have accomplished a lot since then.
When The Band Perry arrives for a 7:30 p.m. concert Saturday at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium, they will do so as one of the most in-demand acts in the country music genre.
Lead singer Kimberly and brothers Neil and Reid have released five Top 20 hits on Billboard's Hot Country Chart from their self-titled, debut album with Republic Nashville. "If I Die Young" and "All Your Life" were No. 1 hits.
They have toured with former Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley, performed at The Grammy Awards before a Beatles legend and recorded music for their still-to-be-released second album. State Fair concertgoers are likely to hear some of their new music.
Prior to the State Fair concert, the Perry trio shared with the Times what they have been up to since performing in Westminster, a concert they said they fondly remember.
"We've done a little bit of everything," Kimberly said. "I tell you what. We're really excited to bring a new show and new music back to the area."
The Band Perry and "If I Die Young"
What happened: "If I Die Young," The Band Perry's second single, became an anthem of sorts. It still regularly popped up as one of the most downloaded country music songs on iTunes more than a year after it was released. It became the band's first identifiable hit, one they will likely be performing for the rest of their careers.
Quotable: "For us, 'If I Die Young' was a giant hello to our music," Kimberly said.
Band Perry and the Grammy Awards
What happened: In addition to being nominated for Best New Artist, The Band Perry got a chance to perform a tribute to country crooner Glen Campbell in February. Campbell is being forced to retire due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.
During rehearsals, the trio got a surprise: Paul McCartney was attentively listening from the first row. Kimberly said it really doesn't get much better than that.
Quotable: "Rehearsals at the Grammys were probably one of the highlights of our career so far," Neil said. "I remember the three of us were on the stage singing 'Gentle on our Mind.' ... I look up and I see Paul McCartney sitting in the front row singing along and taking pictures. I nudged Kimberly on the shoulder, and said, 'look, we are on Paul McCartney's camera.'"
The Band Perry and their awards
What happened: The Band Perry won Top New Artist at the 2010 Academy of Country Music Awards. "If I Die Young" won Single and Song of the Year at the 2011 Country Music Association Awards. The honors were among the first major awards for the group.
Quotable: "I think even more so than the wins, we got a chance to perform at both the CMAs and the ACMs," Kimberly said. "It's life-changing. More people began to come out to our shows. More people began to recognize us."
The Band Perry and Brad Paisley
What happened: The Band Perry has served as an opening act this year for Paisley's Virtual Reality tour. In addition to being able to perform their music in front of huge pavilion and stadium crowds, The Band Perry has also gotten to know Paisley. He tried to keep life on the road fun. Sometimes, that means a petting zoo party. Other times, it means renting out a bowling alley.
Quotable: "We haven't had any time to sit down and write together yet," Kimberly said. "Our days get really busy out here on the road. But we're learning so much from him as entertainer and an artist."
The Band Perry on
bobbleheads and stock cars
What happened: In June, The Band Perry returned to their hometown of Greeneville, Tenn., as part of a United Way fundraiser. Fans were given a Band Perry bobblehead as a promotion.
Eariler this month, The Band Perry performed at the Brickyard 400 and their photo was plastered on the front of NASCAR driver David Gilliland's hood.
Quotable: "You always want to see your face on a NASCAR," Reid said. "That was a pretty awesome moment."
The Band Perry and photography
What happened: Neil is a photography aficionado, and he's been chronicling life on the road as part of the group's official Twitter feed. His photography skills were also part of a gallery printed in "Country Weekly."
Quotable: "I think one of the questions they asked in that interview was, 'what are some of the benefits of traveling?'" Neil said. "I think one of them is going to all these really interesting places. We've gone to London and Dublin, Ireland, and have been some amazing experiences for me for taking photographs. I don't think if I had been in another line of work that I would have had those kinds of opportunities."