Country artist Derryl Perry really stands out among the multitude of Nashville based singer/songwriters. In fact, this hard-working and incredibly talented fellow may be one of Nashville's best kept secrets.
As an artist, Derryl's unique musical style blends the sounds of today's Country with the classic traditions of Americana and Texas Music. It's a potent style, infused with a Southwestern flavor and an intimate rock edge that he's honed through years of songwriting and performing. Derryl is relentlessly passionate about his artistry and considers it a blessing to be able to share life’s experiences through his music.
Originally hailing from Texas City, TX, Derryl grew up in the midst of a Texas Music scene where the term "Country" describes a lifestyle as much as it does a genre of music. His blue-collar beginnings, combined with the musical influences of such prominent Texas artists as Willie Nelson, Gary Stewart and George Strait, provided Derryl with abundant inspiration to draw upon as he began developing his own unique musical voice. He spent several years performing with bands around the competitive Dallas/Ft. Worth club circuit while fine tuning his songwriting skills with the help of songwriter friends in Nashville.
Eventually, Derryl relocated to Nashville where he released an independent demo project that garnered substantial music industry attention. One of the tracks from that project, "The Ink Hasn't Even Dried", was included on the prestigious ASCAP EAR compilation CD. Additionally, several songs Derryl had written or co-written were recorded by other Country artists or performed by artists on the Grand Ole Opry. In September of 2002, a demo version of Derryl's song "You Will" was featured in the USA Television Network movie BLOOD CRIME.
In 2005, Music City Records released Derryl's national debut album ALL JUST TO GET TO YOU. J. Gary Smith, who has worked with Andy Griggs, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Bonnie Raitt and Lonestar in a production capacity, spearheaded the studio production of the album with Derryl taking on a co-producer role.
In 2005, Music Row Magazine, Nashville's premier music industry trade publication, honored Derryl with both the Small Label Artist Of The Year and Small Label Breakout Artist Of The Year awards in recognition of his radio airplay success with this album.
In the years since, Derryl has continued to write and record new music and has self-released a number of projects. He also continues to tour relentlessly with his dynamic stage show that mixes poignant ballads with danceable, high-energy tunes. Over the last 12 years, he's logged well over 2000 performances throughout the nation. During this time, he's opened for or played on bills alongside such major recording artists as Diamond Rio, Mark Chestnutt, Tracy Byrd, Joe Diffie, Chris Ledoux, Andy Griggs, Asleep at the Wheel, Gene Watson, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, Justin Moore, Sara Evans, Montgomery Gentry and Dierks Bentley.
March 2012