Miriam-Webster defines evolution as (3): the process of working out or developing
People evolve. We grow and change and learn new things. We move from one job to the next, we choose new styles of clothes and hair, and we make new friends with new interests along with way.
So why then are people so stubborn when it comes time to accept that an artist has evolved and taken a new direction?
The Band Perry announced this week that they are getting ready to release a pop album, and presented its first single, Stay In The Dark, as an example of what's to come. And while they were eloquent in their presentation of the material (a great Facebook message indeed), they have been met with some very close-minded responses from their country music fans.
To our fans -
We've made an album for you. Creating it has been the most exciting thing we've ever done. It's led us to disrupt everything that was comfortable and familiar to us a short year ago. If there's one thing we've learned in making it it's this - being yourself matters. It matters even when not everyone agrees that you should be or understands why it's important that you are.
The album is called My Bad Imagination. It's our very first pop album and tonight the first track will be out everywhere, its called Stay In The Dark. Listen loud.
Thank you for your love, your patience, and for your trust. Come with us.
Now, we understand that change is hard. And we know that music is something that creates strong emotional connections for people, making it even harder sometimes to deal with the realities of change. But, that doesn't mean that we as fans (either of a genre or a band) have the right to expect an artist to stay in one lane over their career just to keep us comfortable and happy.
In August 2009, country music fans were introduced to Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry when they released Hip To My Heart, and in 2010 The Band Perry saw their star rise with ACMA wins for New Artist and Top New Duo/Group of the Year. The young, enthusiastic, good looking, talented trio were darlings of the country music youth movement. Fans were into it. Their songs charted well. And If I Die Young became one of those songs that creates an emotional connection.
For the next few years, The Band Perry was in that discussion about the future of country music, as well as its current stars. They won more awards for top vocal group in 2013 and 2014. And in 2015 they took home a Grammy for their recording of the Glen Campbell classic, Gentle On My Mind. At that point they had nearly a dozen major award wins, seven Top 10 singles, including three US Country charts #1 hits ( If I Die Young, All Your Life, Better Dig Two), tours with Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Reba, and their own headlining schedule in 2013/14.
But since then, between 2015 and today, we've seen and heard changes from the Perry siblings. They released Live Forever and Comeback Kid, which had a pop country sound. They left their label. They didn't release the third country album that was rumoured and clamoured for by fans. And it seems that now, in February 2017, we know why.
The Band Perry, Kimberly, Reid, and Neil, have made a creative decision to release a pop album. And that's 100% okay.
In fact, if that's what is turning them on as artists right now, if that's what excited them to get into the studio and work, if that's what they want to share with the world - we should all be standing with them.
Because anyone that believes an artist should be forced, by any means, to create something they don't believe in with their heart and soul doesn't really love art and artists.
But on Facebook we've seen a lot of comments that don't support the new direction that The Band Perry is taking. There are people who don't like the band switching to pop, and claiming that they have now "lost a fan" because of the decision. There are people who want the band to go back to the look they had in 2014, including their clothing and hairstyle choices. It seems that Kimberly's switch from blonde to brunette in August 2016 still isn't sitting well with some fans.
Like I said earlier, I understand that change is hard, but come on people.
Here's an easy to read bullet list of things that we want everyone to keep in mind when it comes to The Band Perry's change in creative direction.
* Nobody has the right to tell anyone else what they can, should, or ought to wear.* Shania Twain recorded crossover versions of every song on the
* No artist should be expected to never change or want to try new things.
* Taylor Swift's singles from her first four albums are still played on country radio and loved by country fans because they are country songs. The new pop songs from 1989 don't change that.
* Garth Brooks brought Chris Gaines to the world way back in 1999 because he wanted to try something new. And he's still regarded as the top of the country music mountain.
Come On Over album - and country fans are still begging for her to make new music and come play it for us.
* There is no change in the sound and direction of The Band Perry that will change the way If I Die Young sounds when you press play.
* There is no change in the visual style of The Band Perry that will change the memories we have of seeing them on stage and giving it everything they have at Boots & Hearts 2013 - or whatever show you've seen them play.
* There are still many, many, many artists making country music for you to enjoy.
* If you don't like something, you can be quiet about it instead of telling someone that their artistic and career decisions are bad/wrong/stupid/etc.
We are not telling you that you need to like Stay In The Dark, and we aren't telling you that you need to pre-order My Bad Imagination. But we are telling you that we expect music fans to support artists - and if not that, than to at least respect them.
And we're telling you that we believe in the talent and passion of The Band Perry. So if they're excited to release a pop album, we're excited to hear it.
If you haven't hear Stay In The Dark yet, press play now.
