Al Perkins


Al Perkins is an 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.
WWW alperkinsmusic.com

Early years

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.

1970s

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. He also played steel guitar on the Rolling Stones' song, "Torn and Frayed" on Exile on Main St.
With Stills working with Crosby Stills and Nash, Perkins and Hillman joined Richie Furay and JD 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.
He joined the British band Ark in 1977 and recorded the album The Angels Come.

1980s

Continuing his production work into the 1980s, Perkins also toured with Chris Hillman as a duo before joining Dolly Parton in 1986, touring and recording with her for several years before moving to Nashville.
In Nashville Perkins formed a new project called The Nash Ramblers with Emmylou Harris, with whom he had worked previously on the two solo albums recorded by Gram Parsons.. The Live at the Ryman album was to win Perkins his first Grammy award in 1992.
Perkins is listed playing pedal steel guitar on two albums by Christian singer Don Francisco: Holiness and One Heart at a Time. He is listed as the producer of the "One Heart at a Time" album.

1990s–present

Al Perkins continues to tour and record. To date, other artists Al Perkins has played for are: James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Tori Amos, Garth Brooks, Dwight Yoakam, Dan Fogelberg, Joe Walsh, Mike Love, Solomon Burke, Patty Loveless, Cher, Rita Coolidge, Iris DeMent, Michael Martin Murphey, Buddy Miller, Tommy Womack, Yo La Tengo, and Jim Lauderdale.
In 2002 Perkins released a collection of studio outtakes and rare recordings. Snapshots features recordings by the Nash Ramblers and the Flying Burrito Brothers among others. This was followed in 2003 by Triple Play, Perkins' first solo album, revealing blues, country, bluegrass, gospel and Cajun influences.
Perkins appeared on stage alongside James Burton and Keith Richards at the Gram Parsons tribute show in California in summer 2004.
Throughout the 2000s Perkins toured periodically with the Road Trippers, a band led by Kevin Montgomery and occasionally included Mike McAdam and Mavericks Paul Deakin and Robert Reynolds.
In 2009, Perkins formed Big Dog 3, a trio with bassist Chris Donohue and drummer Brady Blade. Big Dog 3's self-titled debut album features guests such as Jim Lauderdale and Emmylou Harris. Today Al Perkins performs with The HiPower Band, which includes vocalist Kristine Arnold.

Awards

Grammy Awards

  • 1997 – Producer on Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album
  • 1992 – Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal
  • 1991 – Best Bluegrass Album

Other awards

  • 2015 – Induction to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame
  • 2007 – 'Musician of the Year' Texas Music Awards
  • 1997 – Induction to The Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame
  • 1993 – Induction to Opryland's Starwalk
  • 1985 – Indie Award for album production on ''Desert Rose''

Collaborations

With Tori AmosFrom the Choirgirl Hotel
With Bob BennettFirst Things First
With Solomon BurkeNashville
With Garth BrooksSevens
With Kate CampbellSongs from the Levee Moonpie Dreams
With Steve CampJustice
With CherCher
With Gene ClarkTwo Sides to Every Story
With Leonard CohenDeath of a Ladies' Man
With Rita CoolidgeThe Lady's Not for Sale Fall into Spring It's Only Love Anytime...Anywhere
With John DenverThe Flower That Shattered the Stone
With George DucasWhere I Stand
With Bob DylanKnocked Out Loaded
With EaglesOn the Border
With Tim EastonSpecial 20
With Dan FogelbergSouvenirs Captured Angel Nether Lands The Innocent Age High Country Snows
With Steve ForbertRocking Horse Heads
With Richie FurayI've Got a Reason Dance a Little Light Seasons of Change The Heartbeat of Love
With John Wesley HardingThe Confessions of St. Ace
With Emmylou HarrisCowgirl's Prayer
With Mark HeardAppalachian Melody Eye of the Storm
With Chris HillmanSlippin' Away Morning Sky Desert Rose
With Nancy HoneytreeMelodies In Me Maranatha Marathon
With Wynonna JuddThe Other Side
With Bill LaBountyBill LaBounty
With Miranda LambertPalomino
With Jim LauderdalePlanet of Love Persimmons Patchwork River I'm a Song
With Roger McGuinnPeace on You
With Michael Martin MurpheyHigh Stakes
With Michael NesmithInfinite Rider on the Big Dogma
With Randy NewmanGood Old Boys
With Juice NewtonAin't Gonna Cry
With Joe NicholsIII
With Gram ParsonsGP Grievous Angel
With Dolly PartonHere You Come Again Dolly, Dolly, Dolly Rainbow Hungry Again Precious Memories
With Billy PrestonThe Kids & Me
With John PrineIn Spite of Ourselves For Better, or Worse
With Terry ReidSeed of Memory
With The Rolling StonesExile on Main St.
With Tom RushVoices
With Michelle ShockedShort Sharp Shocked
With Jill SobuleJill Sobule Happy Town Underdog Victorious
With Donna SummerBad Girls
With Russ TaffWinds of Change
With James TaylorGorilla
With The TractorsFast Girl
With Joe WalshBarnstorm
With Dwight YoakamBuenas Noches From a Lonely Room If There Was a Way This Time A Long Way Home
With Michael Brewer