The Band Perry Takes Part in ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp

Today, 30 ACM Lifting Lives Music Campers with Williams Syndrome, ages 17-41, from all over the United States got an experience many only dream of – collaborating to write a song with country music superstars, The Band Perry. The morning started with all of the campers sharing what they would bring to the songwriting session. Answers ranged from passion to energy to love for music. Campers enthusiastically brainstormed song ideas with The Band Perry, accompanying the band vocally and on several instruments. The campers decided the song should be in the style of old school country and should be called “Bright Eyes.” Country newcomer Chris Janson made a surprise visit at the end of the writing session to meet the campers. They’ll be joining Janson onstage at the Grand Ole Opry this Friday to debut their brand new song.

One camper – an 8 year veteran of the camp – shared that this was the best songwriting session he had experienced yet.

“It was a fun day and probably the fastest songwriting session we’ve ever had!” Kimberly Perry said at the end of the morning.

Band mate and brother Neil Perry added, “Yeah the guys in there took charge of it and we were just kind of playing along to whatever they had in mind.”

Every year for the past 10 years, ACM Lifting Lives and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center have brought campers in to stay on Vanderbilt’s campus for a dual purpose week of studying individuals with Williams Syndrome and providing music enrichment with some of country music’s top artists. Other activities include dinners, karaoke, and spending time in a recording studio.