Kimberly Perry was presented with a Diamond Award in a surprise on the CMA stage, recognizing the monumental success of ‘If I Die Young' and its certification as Diamond by the RIAA. The moment, delivered by executives from Big Machine Label Group, Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, and the RIAA, marks a historic achievement as Perry becomes the only female artist to have solo-written a Diamond-certified country song. The recognition celebrates not only the song’s commercial impact but its enduring emotional resonance across generations of listeners.
Industry leaders praised the track’s timeless quality and Perry’s songwriting brilliance, noting how the song’s journey from its original 2010 release to this latest milestone reflects its lasting cultural significance. ‘If I Die Young' topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, earned CMA Single and Song of the Year honours in 2011, and has since become a cornerstone of modern country music, frequently cited as one of the genre’s greatest songs of all time. Its official music video has surpassed 265 million views, further underscoring its widespread reach.
Perry reflected on the song’s origins as something written from innocence and faith in everyday poetry, expressing gratitude to the fans who have carried it into their most personal moments, from celebrations to times of loss. With the recent 15th anniversary reissue of The Band Perry’s self-titled debut album and this landmark Diamond certification, the group now turns its attention to the future, teasing the first release from its next chapter of music, set to arrive in January 2026.
