Al Perkins
| Al Perkins | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Albert Perkins |
| Born |
January 18, 1944 De Kalb, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | Folk, bluegrass, rock, country rock, country, contemporary Christian |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter, producer |
| Instruments | Pedal steel guitar, guitar, dobro, banjo, vocals |
| Years active | 1953–present |
| Associated acts | The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, Stephen Stills Souther Hillman Furay Band, Desert Rose Band, Gram Parsons, The Nash Ramblers, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton |
| Website | alperkinsmusic |
Al Perkins (born January 18, 1944) is a Texas-born American guitarist known primarily for his steel guitar work. The Gibson guitar company called Perkins "the world's most influential dobro player" and began producing an "Al Perkins Signature" Dobro in 2001—designed and autographed by Perkins.
Al Perkins was born and raised in Texas and learned to play Hawaiian steel guitar at the age of 9. In the 1950s Perkins was considered a child prodigy, playing with regional country and western bands, appearing on TV/radio, and winning several talent contests. In the early 1960s, Perkins began playing electric guitar with west Texas rock bands, and was discovered by Mickey Jones and Kenny Rogers of The First Edition. By 1966, he enlisted into the Army National Guard and was discharged from the US Army Reserves in 1970.
In 1970, Perkins joined the east Texas country rock band, Shiloh, and moved to California. The band included Don Henley and future producer/record executive Jim Ed Norman. Perkins was then hired to play in the new incarnation of the Flying Burrito Brothers and recorded the live album The Last of the Red Hot Burritos in 1972. Perkins, along with Chris Hillman, formerly of The Byrds, went on to join Stephen Stills' Manassas, whose material fused Latin, rock, blues, country, folk, and bluegrass influences.
With Stills working with Crosby Stills and Nash, Perkins and Hillman joined Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield and Poco founding member) and J.D. Souther in the Souther–Hillman–Furay Band. Perkins moved into record production in the mid-1970s, but did tour again with Michael Nesmith and McGuinn & Hillman. As a session player, Perkins contributed to many notable albums, including the Eagles' On The Border.
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