01/16/2026
Joseph Reed, who recently joined The Perrys as lead singer, vividly remembers the unusual circumstances surrounding his first encounter with the gospel group. In 1986 or 1987, his father took him to Campbell Ford Auto Dealership in Bristol, Virginia, where The Perrys performed in the showroom, an unconventional venue that would leave a lasting impression on the young Reed. At the time, the group's "God's Little People" album had not yet been released, though they were gaining popularity in gospel music circles.
The performance featured the original line-up of Randy, Libby, Deborah, and Tracy, accompanied by their band, all crammed into the car dealership's showroom. Reed recalled the experience as "fantastic" and noted that he "fell in love with them then," captivated by their music despite the unlikely setting. Adding a poignant detail to the memory, he remembered that Deborah was pregnant at the time, preparing to have her daughter Brittany, who is now 37 years old.
That memorable showroom concert took place nearly four decades ago, a fact Reed reflected upon when calculating his daughter's age. The journey from being a young fan watching The Perrys perform amongst automobiles to becoming their lead singer represents a full-circle moment in Reed's musical career, demonstrating how a single performance in an unexpected venue can inspire a lifelong connection to a group.
