Al Perkins




AL PERKINS
From Shiloh to the Flying Burrito Brothers: Manassas & Souther, Hillman, Furay to the Nash Ramblers; Perkins first solo album, Snapshots, is a must for Americana enthusiasts. A legend of the pedal steel from Southern California to Nashville, Perkins remains one of Nashville’s most in-demand and respected players.

Al Perkins’ resumé reads like a who’s who of country rock. As a member of Shiloh (Don Henley’s pre-Eagles outfit), the Flying Burrito Brothers, Stephen Stills’ Manassas, Souther, Hillman & Furay and Emmylou Harris’ Nash Ramblers, Perkins was a charter member of the country rock fraternity in Southern California in the latter '60s to mid-'70s. An in-demand session player, Perkins also lent his mellifluous pedal steel tones to recordings by the likes of Gram Parsons, the Eagles, Michael Nesmith, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, and more recently, Garth Brooks. He remains one of Nashville’s most respected players. Be sure to check out his first solo album, Snapshots, available on Kleartone Records.

BIOGRAPHY
Texas-born guitarist/pedal steel player, Al Perkins’ resumé reads like a who’s who of country rock. As a member of Shiloh (Don Henley’s pre-Eagles outfit), the Flying Burrito Brothers, Stephen Stills’ Manassas, Souther, Hillman & Furay and Emmylou Harris’ Nash Ramblers, Perkins was a charter member of the country rock fraternity in Southern California in the latter '60s to mid-'70s. It was in that melting pot of folk, country and rock that the country rock movement, which came to dominate the pop world in the early '70s under the aegis of the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and Poco, was first born. An in-demand session player, Perkins also lent his mellifluous pedal steel tones to recordings by the likes of Gram Parsons, the Eagles, Michael Nesmith, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, and more recently, Garth Brooks. He remains one of Nashville’s most respected players.

Surprisingly, given his impressive credentials, Snapshots is Perkins’ first solo effort. The album showcases his magical musical ride from an 11 year-old steel guitar protégé in West Texas through a variety of bands and sessions over the next 30 years that feature his expressive guitar, steel and dobro playing. Opening with a broadcast circa 1955 that boasts a young Albert Perkins guesting on Smokey Rogers’ television show out of El Cajon, California (the 11 year old rode the bus alone all the way from Odessa, Texas) playing “B. Bowman Hop,” the album follows with rare recordings, live tracks and demos, all never before released. Included are singles by Perkins’ earliest groups The Mystics (offering a “Wipe Out” wannabe instrumental) and The Shades, a live radio broadcast take of the classic “Steel Guitar Rag” from the 1971 edition of the Flying Burrito Brothers, a countrified live version of The Byrds’ “Mr. Spaceman” by ex-Byrds, Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman, featuring Perkins playing the innovative Telecaster stringbender or B-Bender popularized by the late Clarence White, and an unreleased Nash Ramblers number entitled “The Nash Ramble,” propelled by Perkins’ colorful dobro work.

The album also boasts a rare 1971 solo demo recording by Perkins from his Burrito Brothers days entitled “Back To The Country,” as well as unreleased demo recordings of Perkins accompanying country rockers the Curtis Brothers (who sound remarkably like a latter day Burritos), Travis Jones, Michael and Dyann Woody and Richie Owens. A rare treat is a revved up rendition of Chuck Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me,” featuring Elvis Presley’s stellar '70’s-era backing band consisting of James Burton, Jerry Scheff and Glen D. Hardin. Detailed notes and photos illustrate each of the album’s sixteen tracks.

Snapshots is a wonderfully unique and refreshing album that not only chronicles the journeys of a gifted musician but also the growth of the country rock genre. Perkins continues to record and tour with country singer Kevin Montgomery.

John Einarson, author of “Desperados: The Roots of Country Rock” (2001, Cooper Square Press, NY)