The group formed on December 25, 1970 with Randy Perry and his sisters Debbie and Libbi in Georgia. In the mid-80's, the group signed with former pianist for the Happy Goodman Family, Eddie Crook on his, then new, Morning Star Records label. Also during this time Libbi met and married Tracy Stuffle who would become the group's bass singer.
Eventually Debbie left the group to rear her family and the Perrys were joined by soprano singer Denise Helton. During this time the Perrys experienced enormous growth in their popularity with such songs as "I Remember The Day", "I'll Go On", "The Mountain", "He Knows How", "Get Involved", "This Is Just What Heaven Means To Me" (a remake of a classic Happy Goodman Family song) and "The Rock of Ages".
In the mid-90's, shortly after the release of the very popular "Grace" album, Randy Perry left the road to concentrate more on evangelistic work and Denise Helton would also leave the group to pursue other ventures. Nicole Watts and Barry Scott would come in to fill these spots. Barry Scott soon left the group and was replaced by Mike Bowling, a former member of the New Hinsons. In 1997, the group made a record label transition from their home of a dozen years, MorningStar Records, to Daywind records owned by Dottie Leonard Miller. They also signed an exclusive booking agreement with Harper and Associates. Their debut album on Daywind, "Crossings", included their first two #1 songs on the Singing News charts, "Not Even a Stone" and "By Faith I Can Touch Him Now."
Mike would also leave to join with the The Crabb Family and also pursue his own solo career; and Nicole Watts married and departed the group shortly after Mike's departure. David Hill joined the Perrys and held the lead position for approximately nine months. His only album with the group was, "Absolutely, Positively, Live!", which featured the #1 hit, "Praise God, It's Settled, I'm Saved." Loren Harris, formerly of the Wilburns, took the lead position shortly afterward. After Nicole's departure, this time marked a turning point for the Perrys.
Having always been a quartet consisting of two females and two males, the group was faced with a decision that many had been anticipating for some time. The group decided to not fill the position of Nicole Watts with another soprano but to turn that position over to a male- hence the hiring of baritone Curt Davis.The group has since became a 3 male, one female group and has gained very high status in the southern gospel community. After the departure of group pianist Dennis Horton in 2000, Adam Harman joined the group. Adam departed the group in 2002 to join the Dollywood based quartet, the Kingdom Heirs. It was during this time that the Perrys had their fourth #1 song, "I Rest My Case at the Cross" written by the great master songwriter Kyla Rowland. Justin Ellis, formerly of the Accords, took the pianist position and remained with the group until July 2004. In August 2003, Curt Davis resigned his baritone position with the Perrys. After the fill-in from the Perrys' producer Wayne Haun including National Quartet Convention 2003, the Perrys hired Joseph Habedank for the baritone position. Soon after Joseph Habedank joined the group, patriarch of the Perrys, George Perry, died in November 2003. Though this was a time of testing for Libbi and all of the Perrys, they managed to keep on singing for God's kingdom. After the departure of Justin Ellis to perform with the Crabb Family, the Perrys hired Matthew Holt as the group's pianist in September 2004 at the National Quartet Convention. It was around this time that the Perrys had their fifth and latest #1 song, "I Wish I Could Have Been There." Mr. Holt was hired as pianist approximately one day before the Perrys were awarded their first Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Mixed Quartet of the Year.
Fans and the Southern Gospel Music industry showed the Perrys support for their hard work by honoring them Singing News Fan Awards for the 2004, 2005, and 2006 Mixed Quartet Of The Year. The Perrys also received the Harmony Honors Awards for Favorite Album of the Year, This Is the Day, and for Favorite Song of the Year, I Wish I Could Have Been There written by Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey. Libbi Perry Stuffle was awarded Singing News Fan Awards for the 2005 Female Vocalist and Alto Singer Of The Year and the 2006 Alto Singer of the Year. The Perrys were also awarded the Singing News Fan Award for Album of the Year in 2006 for their album Remembering the Happy Goodmans.
In August of 2006, the Perrys announced that longtime lead vocalist, Loren Harris, had resigned his position with the group in order to spend more time at home with his family. The decision was made by the Perrys to move Joseph Habedank to the vacant lead position and bring in Nick Trammell (son of legendary baritone Mark Trammell) to fill the baritone position. The first recording, entitled "Look No Further", under the new line-up was released in September 2007 at the National Quartet Convention. In addition to the release of the album, Nick Trammell received the Horizon Individual award by the Singing News Fans for 2007. Several months later in July 2008, Matthew Holt announced his departure from the group to pursue other interests. Bryan Elliott, formerly of the Anchormen and the Palmetto State Quartet, joined the Perrys as pianist in August 2008. His first concert with the group was August 8, 2008.
It was announced February 24 that Nick Trammell was departing as baritone singer. Former sound engineer Troy Peach was hired as Trammell's replacement. After Troy joined the vocal lineup of the Perrys, the group began work on a new album for Daywind Records. The album, "Almost Morning", features songs from the pens of Joseph Habedank, Rodney Griffin, Lonnie Combs, Kyla Rowland, Matthew Holt, Joel Lindsey, and Wayne Haun. Little did the group know that the first single, "If You Knew Him", would land the #1 position for December 2009 according to the Singing News magazine. In the meantime while at the 2009 National Quartet Convention, Libbi Perry Stuffle and Joseph Habedank were voted Favorite Alto and Favorite Young Artist respectively in the 2009 Singing News Fan Awards.
Celebrate Me Home
The Perrys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That separates the two worlds that I love
Torn between my precious friends and my family
And the place of peace that's waiting up above
Hold my hand and stay there by my side
And when I finally step into the tide
Celebrate me home!
Celebrate me there
Celebrate me in that place
Celebrate me saved by grace
Don't just sit and weep because I'm gone
Celebrate me Home
I have spent most of my life on earth preparing
To take the trip from here to Heaven's throne
With the Shield and Word of God to guide me
Its a comfort knowing I am not alone
So when I take my final fleeting breath
And fade into the gentle sleep of death
Celebrate me home!
Celebrate me there
Celebrate me in that land of wonder where nothing can compare
Celebrate me in that place
Celebrate me saved by grace
Don't just sit and weep because I'm gone
Celebrate me Home
No more broken dreams
No more tears to cry
Into my Father's arms I'll fly
Celebrate me home!
Celebrate me there
Celebrate me in that land of wonder where nothing can compare
Celebrate me in that place
Celebrate me saved by grace
Don't just sit and weep because I'm gone
Celebrate me Home
Celebrate me Home!
The Perry's song, "Celebrate Me Home," speaks about the transition from life on earth to the afterlife in heaven. In the opening lines of the song, the singer contemplates the difficulty of choosing between their family and friends and the peace that comes with crossing over to heaven. The singer asks their loved ones to celebrate their life instead of mourning their passing, encouraging them to hold their hand and stand by their side as they cross the river. The song emphasizes the importance of celebrating life even after death, as the singer believes they will be saved by grace and enter a place of wonder where there are no more broken dreams or tears to cry.
The lyrics of the song are powerful and touching, conveying the message of hope and peace that comes with the Christian belief in an afterlife. The song encourages people to celebrate life and not to mourn death, as the singer feels assured that they will be welcomed into the embrace of their Father in heaven. Overall, the song delivers a message of hope and optimism amidst the pain of loss, making it a popular choice for funerals and memorial services.
Line by Line Meaning
When the time comes and I am standing at the river
As I approach death and am faced with crossing over into the afterlife
That separates the two worlds that I love
The boundary between this world and the next
Torn between my precious friends and my family
Feeling conflicted about leaving loved ones behind
And the place of peace that's waiting up above
Anticipating the peaceful afterlife that awaits
Hold my hand and stay there by my side
Requesting comfort and support from loved ones during the transition
And when I finally step into the tide
At the moment of passing into the afterlife
Celebrate me home!
Requesting that loved ones celebrate my life and arrival into the next world
Celebrate me there
Asking loved ones to celebrate my presence in the afterlife
Celebrate me in that land of wonder where nothing can compare
Describing the paradise-like nature of the afterlife
Celebrate me in that place
Encouraging loved ones to celebrate my arrival in heaven
Celebrate me saved by grace
Reminding loved ones that my arrival in heaven is due to divine grace, not my own merit
Don't just sit and weep because I'm gone
Asking loved ones not to mourn excessively after my passing
I have spent most of my life on earth preparing
Having lived a life of faith and anticipating the afterlife
To take the trip from here to Heaven's throne
Preparing for the journey to heaven
With the Shield and Word of God to guide me
Having relied on faith and religious teachings throughout life
Its a comfort knowing I am not alone
Finding peace in the belief that spiritual guidance is present on the journey
So when I take my final fleeting breath
Describing the last moments of life
And fade into the gentle sleep of death
Comparing death to a peaceful sleep
No more broken dreams
Describing relief from the difficulties of life
No more tears to cry
Anticipating freedom from suffering
Into my Father's arms I'll fly
Describing the arrival into the afterlife and reunion with a divine figure
Celebrate me home!
Reiterating the request for celebration
Celebrate me there
Encouraging celebration in the afterlife
Celebrate me in that land of wonder where nothing can compare
Describing the beauty and splendor of heaven
Celebrate me in that place
Asking loved ones to celebrate my arrival in heaven
Celebrate me saved by grace
Reminding loved ones that I have arrived in heaven due to divine grace
Don't just sit and weep because I'm gone
Requesting that loved ones not be consumed by grief after my passing
Celebrate me Home
Final request for celebration of my life and arrival in the afterlife
Contributed by Ava V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mirashropshireyt6222
Was song at my husband's home going 1-31-2021 it will be 3 year's tomorrow that he's been with Jesus ❤😢
@haleydaniel1400
Lost my son at 20 wks pregnant & his little tiny body not even weighing a pound was so hard to bear but my husband & I dedicated this song as his song because he is alive & living more than he ever could have here on earth. We are just passing through this old world. My home is in heaven & I can't wait to reunite with him & Jesus on that glorious day!
@loreelee8268
I absolutely love this song.i probably heard a million times long story short my mom passed last year.i really had not grieved her passing.bc of the hell that entailed around her death.then this year my eldest brother passed.about a month ago and I heard this song and it finally hit me .My God they aren't coming home.they are home.and I just started finally grieving their passing together.but I could actually see Jesus,and my mom and dad welcoming him home and now they are home.and
Are in no more pain no more breathing issues no more sorrows.etc....thank you so much for recording this song.it has helped so much.more than you will ever know
@kathynemec8308
My daughter-in-law heard this on her radio the day my other daughter-in-law died in 2014. Today I am sending to a dear friend who lost her sister. Praise the Lord for giving The Perry's this song and many blessings to The Perry's for singing it.
@rebekahwilkinson2299
This was sung at my grandmother's funeral in 2016. She had been a pastor's wife and the church pianist for over 60 years. It was quite the celebration of life for her. I love this song.
@curtisstockton7890
Just lost my sweet precious sister on Saturday July 23 2022 such a wonderful way to let my sister go into the wonderful sweet presence of our glorious father..I can only imagine the joy she feels this very moment
@ryanmarrs557
Beautiful song. We buried my aunt a few weeks ago and they played this song. What a great song to sing as we said goodbye to my aunt. God bless you guys and thanks for singing and spreading gods music.
@pennyconnell69
We celebrated my precious Mother to her eternal Home with JESUS in August 2021 - She was the one that taught me about JESUS and His Love for me ❤️ She wanted this song played at her service . It was beautiful ! I can not wait to see her again soon !
@richardeller9246
We played this song at my wife's memorial service. Exactly what she would say to us.
@camilleraburn969
I love this song ❤️😍😍❤️😍😍 thank you perrys family for reminding me that I'm going one of these days to be with my sister Pamela up church she died February 23 2006