The Band Perry's Shocking New Lineup: What Happened To Neil And Their Return To Country Music In 2025

The Band Perry, the Grammy-winning trio famous for the smash hit "If I Die Young," has officially returned to the music scene in late 2024 and early 2025 with a dramatic new lineup and a renewed focus on their country music roots. After a polarizing pivot to pop and an indefinite hiatus in 2023, the siblings—Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry—seemed to have ended their run, leaving fans to wonder about their future.

However, as of late 2024 and 2025, the band has confirmed a major reboot, signing a new deal with their original label, Big Machine Label Group, and announcing a new configuration. The new version of The Band Perry features lead vocalist Kimberly Perry and her brother, bassist Reid Perry, alongside a surprising new third member: Kimberly’s husband, Johnny Costello. This new chapter marks a significant shift for the group, promising fresh music and a definitive end to the years of genre experimentation that preceded their break.

The New Band Perry: Complete Biography and Lineup Profile

The original iteration of The Band Perry consisted of three siblings: Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry. Their latest incarnation, however, is a trio featuring two original members and one new addition, bringing a fresh dynamic to the group's sound and identity. The news of the band's reunion and new direction has been one of the most talked-about topics in country music circles in 2025.

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Kimberly Perry (Lead Vocals, Guitar)

• Full Name: Kimberly Perry Costello (née Perry)
• Date of Birth: July 12, 1983
• Birthplace: Jackson, Mississippi
• Role: Lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter.
• Career Highlight: She is the sole female artist to solo-write a Diamond-certified country song for the 2010 hit "If I Die Young."
• Recent Activity: During the band's hiatus, Kimberly pursued a solo career, releasing her debut EP, Bloom, in 2023.
• Personal Life: She is married to Johnny Costello, who has now joined the band.

Reid Perry (Bass Guitar, Background Vocals)

• Full Name: Reid Perry
• Date of Birth: November 17, 1988
• Birthplace: Jackson, Mississippi
• Role: Bass guitarist and background vocalist.
• Contribution: Reid was a foundational member of the original trio, helping to establish their signature sound in the early 2010s.
• Current Status: He remains a core member of the new trio, maintaining the "Perry" name in the band's lineup.

Johnny Costello (Mandolin, Guitar, Background Vocals)

• Role: Mandolin player, guitarist, and background vocalist.
• Relationship: He is the husband of Kimberly Perry.
• Band Status: Johnny is the newest official member, replacing Neil Perry and cementing the new family-based trio. His addition signals a potential return to the acoustic, bluegrass-tinged sound of their early country albums.

Neil Perry (Former Member)

• Full Name: Neil Perry
• Date of Birth: July 23, 1990
• Role: Former drummer and background vocalist.
• Status: Neil is no longer an official member of The Band Perry, having departed prior to the 2025 reunion. The band's focus has shifted to the Kimberly, Reid, and Johnny trio.
• Post-Band Activity: His current career path is not widely publicized, though his departure was part of the band's collective decision to pursue individual projects during the 2023 hiatus.

The Polarizing Hiatus and the Pop Music Pivot

The Band Perry’s journey from country darlings to a band on indefinite hiatus was a fascinating and often controversial one for their dedicated fanbase. After the massive success of their self-titled debut album and the follow-up, Pioneer, which spawned hits like "If I Die Young," "Better Dig Two," and "Done," the group made a sharp, unexpected turn towards the pop genre.

In 2017, the trio announced a musical transition, moving away from the banjo-heavy country-rock sound that made them famous. This shift was encapsulated by their unreleased third album, My Bad Imagination, which featured a distinctly pop sensibility. This move was polarizing, alienating a significant portion of their core country audience who felt betrayed by the change in direction.

The group eventually parted ways with their major label and began releasing music independently. By 2023, the pressure and creative differences stemming from the genre switch led the band to quietly confirm an indefinite hiatus, with Kimberly Perry launching her solo career. She later stated that the split was amicable, a simple feeling that they needed to "go their own way" after years of working together.

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This period of silence and solo exploration ultimately paved the way for the band's current, refreshed perspective. The time apart allowed Kimberly to explore her own musical voice through her EP Bloom, while the brothers pursued their own interests, leading to the eventual decision to reform with a clear, unified vision.

Why The Band Perry is Back: A Return to Country Roots and Big Machine

The most compelling news for fans in 2025 is the band's official return to their original genre: country music. This comeback is cemented by their decision to re-sign with their former label, Big Machine Label Group, which was instrumental in launching their career over a decade ago.

The reunion with Big Machine is a powerful signal to the music industry and their fans that The Band Perry is committed to the sound that brought them their biggest successes. In a press release, Kimberly Perry described the new chapter with palpable excitement: "Same souls. New fire! Same ride-or-dies. New music!"

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New Music and 2025 Tour Dates

The trio is currently in the studio, actively writing and recording new music. The new material is expected to build upon the foundation of their early country sound, likely incorporating the mandolin and acoustic elements that new member Johnny Costello brings to the group.

Their first announced show of the new era was a January 25, 2025, benefit concert to raise money for Hurricane Helene relief efforts, demonstrating their commitment to using their platform for charitable causes. They are also scheduled for various festival dates throughout 2025, including an appearance at the Grant County Fair.

Topical Authority and Key Entities

The Band Perry's history is intertwined with several key entities and musical milestones that define their career and the country music landscape of the 2010s. The Diamond certification of "If I Die Young" is a rare feat, signifying sales of over 10 million units, placing Kimberly Perry in an elite tier of songwriters. Their discography includes the platinum-selling albums The Band Perry and Pioneer, which collectively generated multiple chart-topping singles and critical acclaim.

The band’s decision to return to Big Machine Label Group, home to other country superstars like Taylor Swift (early career) and Rascal Flatts, signifies a strategic move to reclaim their position in the Nashville establishment. This new era, featuring the core dynamic of Kimberly and Reid Perry, enriched by the addition of Johnny Costello, promises a stable and creatively focused future, leaving the polarizing pop experiments of My Bad Imagination firmly in the past.

Fans eager for the next chapter of The Band Perry can look forward to a full-fledged country music comeback, complete with new songs and a fresh, yet familiar, stage presence from the newly reformed trio.