Meet the Family

I guess my involvement with the family band started almost 34 years ago. Can't say I remember that first moment because I was still in my mother's womb. However, a good majority of my early memories revolve around the music and places my family played. On occasion, I would drive past a building and say that it looked oddly familiar even though I thought I had never been there. Mom or Dad would turn and say, "we used to play there back in the early 80's, you were just a little shaver back then.”

For years, I tagged along as an observer. As I got a little older I would carry in equipment; helping to set up and take things down for gigs. I was about 9 or 10 when I started playing an instrument. My parents put me in piano lessons so I would learn to read music. My first experience with an electric bass guitar happened in 1993. I was listening to the family practice for an upcoming gig and for some reason the bass piqued my interest so I started to play around with it. By the end of the night I received my first lesson and, not too long after, played my first gig with the family band. Along the way I have played piano, learned to play acoustic/electric guitar, the upright bass and started to dabble with the mandolin. I love to listen to any and all music I can get my hands on. You never know when inspiration is going to strike and I’ve found myself learning a lot from other genres of music.

It's been twenty-one years since that first bass lesson and I wouldn't have changed a single bit of it. I've had a lot of fun, spent a lot of time with my family, met a lot of wonderful people, traveled all over the east coast and parts of Canada, and had the opportunity to play with some great musicians.

I have a son, Liam, who also likes to listen and dance to the music we play. I am hoping he shows as much interest in our traditions as I did and maybe someday I’ll get the chance to watch him up on a stage somewhere.

At the age of five my Grandmother Perkins gave me a fiddle. Due to health issues I was unable to engage in the extracurricular activities that other children my age took for granted, so my mother would sit at the old upright piano in our living room and spend hours chording and humming the old fiddle tunes while I figured out how to play them on the fiddle. After many years of squeaks and squawks, and mother’s faith and persistence, I played my first square dance in the family band at the age of ten.

To play an instrument was a challenge, so I felt driven to play electric and acoustic guitar, bass, mandolin and the 5-string banjo. I was a member of the rock and roll band The Placid Rockers. On occasion, I would help the orchestra conductor at the local high school tune the students’ violins prior to their practices and concerts. My younger brother, Dewey, played in a band called The Young Set. Sometimes a member of that band was unable to make a gig so he would ask me to fill in.

In 1957 Sonny Burgoyne, another local musician from Lake Placid, and I participated in a program called Santa’s Toy Lift. The focus of this program was to distribute Christmas presents to handicapped children. We donned Santa Helper costumes, grabbed our instruments, and boarded an airplane accompanying Santa Claus to various cities along the east coast. While Santa handed out presents Sonny and I furnished the music. It was the first time I had ever been on an airplane and personally rewarding to be a part of such a worthwhile cause.

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to entertain with many bands. One group, based out of Saranac Lake, NY, was called The Wee 3. Consisting of Sonny Burgoyne on guitar/vocals, Vince Van Yserloo on drums, and me on guitar and fiddle, we had a grand time entertaining throughout the region. I also played at a bar called the Double M on the Military Turnpike in Plattsburgh churning out 50’s and 60’s pop and rock and roll with fellow musicians Herm Green and Del Berghorn. Amazing what music we put out in the old days with only three people. I used to travel to Glens Falls, NY, with Doc Otis joining Bucky Stewart and Al Buroughs to play country music. Doc, Bucky and Al have long passed away but many good memories linger. There was no finer lead and harmony singer than Bucky. When he and Al blended their voices there was no better country sound to be heard. To this day I get goose bumps thinking about the purity of their voices. Many a Saturday night I entertained with the Clem Hawkins Band. What a good time I had putting out the old country sounds with Junior, June, Tommy and a very young Julie Venne. I also played fiddle with the Gibson Brothers, IBMA Entertainers of the Year, early in their bluegrass career; in fact they were still in high school. I used to head up to their farm in Ellenburg, NY, meet up with Bobbi Erdman (bass) for practice sessions. What a warm and welcoming family the Gibson's were.

I met Fred Pike, Sam Tidwell, and the Kennebec Valley Boys from Cambridge, ME, in the late 70’s. Fred was a master of bluegrass music and when he asked me to join the group I learned much about how bluegrass music should be played. My sister still recounts that she has never seen me work so hard, and step up to the challenge, as when I was entertaining under Fred’s tutelage. Our friendship lasted for years and the bluegrass community lost one of its greatest musicians when Fred passed away.

While entertaining with the Kennebec Valley Boys, I came to know yet another stellar bluegrass band from Maine, the Bluegrass Supply Company. What a privilege to be a part of this group and entertain at various festivals throughout Maine.

Fiddle contests were very popular during the 70’s and early 80’s. What fun to have the opportunity to travel and participate in contests held throughout New York, Vermont and Canada. Back in the 70’s I placed third in the Northeast Fiddlers’ Association Contest in Vermont and took first place in the New York State Fiddlers Contest in Osceola, NY. One of the most memorable contests I remember was held in Shelburne, Ontario back in ‘77. Out of 125 fiddlers I placed 24th. It was exciting to be a part of this contest.

Two highlights of my musical career: 1. Being inducted into the Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame in Osceola, NY, in 2001 and 2. Our family being awarded the North Country Heritage Award given by Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY) in 2002.

It has been a lot of fun playing music for the past 68 years. I’ve met so many people, had the opportunity to entertain with some well-known bands, played at festivals and Council on the Arts events and recorded in Nashville, TN. I’ve kept company with fiddle greats Frank Orsini, the late Ken Bonner, Jimmy Hamblin, George Pratt and Rollie Swinton.

Thinking back, I have had some pretty memorable experiences. The first one that comes to mind is the time I was jamming at a bluegrass festival in Hillsdale, NY. Listening a few feet away was Bill Monroe, considered to be the father of bluegrass. I never will forget him turning my way, tipping his hat, and saying to me “mighty fine job, son.” The second one is having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be on the stage and twin fiddle with Bobby Hicks at the Fiddler’s Picnic in Osceola, NY, back in 2008.

In retrospect, I’ve come a long way since that little boy sitting on a couch sawing away on the fiddle. I owe much to my wonderful parents who had faith in my musical ability and helped me so much along the way. Thank you Mom and Dad.

I remember as a young boy going to square dances at the local Fish and Game Club. I remember the energy in the room and the excitement I felt just being there. There was something special about that experience. I could feel the power of the music and the affect that it had over the dancers. The music spoke to me.

When I was in elementary school my music teacher, Ginny Lund, who just happened to be a good friend of my family noticed my musical aptitude. She approached my parents about it and the next thing I know I was in the library looking at books that had all different types of musical instruments in them. My brother, Jason, was trying to convince me to take up the drums or the guitar, but my excuse was, “everyone plays the drums and guitar.” I quickly settled on the violin. My mom said, “You mean the fiddle?” and I replied, “No, the violin!”

That was the beginning. I started taking lessons beginning with the Suzuki approach, learning everything by ear. Before long, it was time for me to learn how to read music. My formal training meant that I had to travel great distances for my lessons, which looking back, I realize was an immense commitment and sacrifice on my parent’s part. They drove me an hour to the lesson, an hour at the lesson, and an hour back, every week for about 10 years. I am wondering now if they had ulterior motives in doing that. I think they just wanted me hostage in the car to have some “interrogation” time. I loved it though.

I wanted to quit many times yet never did. The only thing that kept me going was knowing that I had put in many years of practice and I couldn’t throw it all away. I’m so glad I didn’t. I continued on until my high school graduation. I got to a level six of six and really didn’t feel the need to explore the repertoire so I took some time off. Not too long after, at a doctor’s appointment, Dr. Barry Kilbourne invited me to join him and his friend, Dr. Tom Minehan, and do some traditional jam music. I was eager and it turned out to be a lot of fun. After that I was hooked. I started attending the weekly Ceili sessions and began to really enjoy the traditional Celtic/Appalachian music.

About this same time, my father was getting ready to retire and I began thinking of something to do for him for his retirement. It was decided to get him a bass guitar so he could also join in on the weekly Ceili session. I loved the time we spent together — it’s a special bond that is meaningful to me.

Not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life, I began my associate’s degree and within a year discovered I had a love and passion for teaching. I decided to teach music. I applied at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, NY, and was accepted. I began my music education degree.

After attending the Ceili’s, I, along with my dad, quickly formed a band and called it Inisheer. This was the beginning of musical love. We began playing for many different venues in and around the Adirondacks and getting our name out; before long we were playing for big venues and traveling greater distances.

As band members came and went, I really felt a draw to invite Aunt Phyllis to join Inisheer. She brought with her an amazing talent and uniqueness that our band needed. It felt right to have Dad, Aunt Phyllis and me on stage together. Inisheer’s sound grew over the years and my love for the music also grew. Inisheer, during its 10 year life span, published three CD’s and played at large music festivals; one of which was the Great American Irish Festival in Utica, NY.

I have an entire career in front of me. I not only look forward to the challenges but also the achievements that my musical career presents me. My teaching style reflects the wonderful traits I have gained because of my family and I am extremely grateful. It is my family who have given me a sense of who I really am. I am proud to be an educator and have the opportunity to pass my love for music on to others.

Visit www.stilwellorchestra.com, www.thevirtualstringstudio.com, or www.pedalpointmusic.com to view my current career pursuits.

There’s a lot to be said about growing up in a family that considers music and breathing equivalent. At an early age, I was exposed to a variety of music in a variety of venues. The earliest memories I have of music place me in my living room listening to my mother and grandmother play the piano. I would sit anywhere comfortable and listen to my mom sing, and my grandmother play. Even at a young age, the traditional music that my mother knew, and her mother before her, gave me a sense of admiration.

As I got older, learning an instrument wasn’t high on my lists of to do’s. However, my mother considered it on the top of her list. My father and mother provided me with the opportunity to take piano lessons from an excellent pianist, and although I do not play the instrument frequently, I have the basic knowledge to take any piece of music and appreciate it.

Some may say that the appreciation of music is a learned behavior. In various aspects, this is true. However, for my family, music is genetic. It has been passed down from gene to gene. All of my life I have listened to my grandmother, mother, father, brother, uncles, and family friends play and sing music. I listened to old country favorites, such as “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones. I listened to classic bluegrass, such as “Blue Moon of Kentucky” by Bill Monroe. I listened to Celtic, blues, jazz, classical, and rock and roll. No matter what the music was, I could always find something about the song that I loved, whether it be a lyric, a melody, or both.

I continue that sense of admiration today for my family and continue to appreciate all music in which I can find a part of the whole that I truly love.

Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die. ~Paul Simon

As a teenager, I became interested in learning to play an instrument. Coinciding with my interest it just happened that the Perkins family needed a bass player in their band. Viola, a star is born!! You would find me many a weekend night hammering out the driving bass beat to the country music being played at my families’ North Country gigs.

After graduating from high school I married Terrie, served in the military, and fathered two wonderful boys. Other responsibilities took precedence yet music continued to be a major part of my life, even though I hadn’t picked up an instrument in years.

Joel definitely had the musical genes, Terrie and I recognized his talent, so we both encouraged him to pursue a career in music. As he became more involved with music and became very proficient as a violinist/fiddle player, it was inevitable that I would become more involved as well. My family, much to my surprise, decided this to be the perfect time to buy me a custom made Ernie Ball bass guitar. This guitar was all the motivation I needed to return to my musical roots.

Joel and I co-founded the Celtic Band, Inisheer, and I played bass with this band for over ten years. There is nothing that delights me more than to put on my hat, play the bass on stage, see the excitement on people’s faces, and have the opportunity to play music with my family.

Music has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. I watched my mom and learned, by her example, how to play piano for square dances. My parents thought it important that I learn to play piano by note so they arranged for me to take lessons. The old upright piano wasn’t the best, so they scraped together enough money to buy a beautiful spinet so I would be able to practice on a piano of better quality

My father, I called him "Pop", would get home after a hard day at work and I would inevitably choose this time to practice my classical pieces — right during his supper. I’ll never know how he kept from getting acute indigestion. I always received a nod of approval and that special smile letting me know, without the utterance of a single word, just how proud he was of me.

In school, I was a member of the high school chorus, became first violinist in the high school orchestra and played bells in the marching band. I also had the opportunity to play piano for the elementary choral group and continued to do so each year until I graduated from high school.

I think one of the many memories I have from growing up in a musical household is that from one night to the next you never knew what genre of music was going to be resonating within the walls of our house at any given time. One night I could be practicing piano or Donald would be learning a new country and/or fiddle tune. Another night it might be the electric guitar blaring out a solo-lick of Elvis’ “You Ain’t Nothing But A Hound Dog.” My brother, Dewey, could be heard practicing his drums or playing the saxophone. I can still see my late brother, David, sitting in the recliner playing 50’s rock and roll on the old 45 rpm record player, eating oatmeal cookies, and drinking skim milk. I honestly can’t remember a night that our house wasn’t filled with music.

My role in the family band has mostly been playing piano and providing the vocals. I can play fiddle, guitar, and dabble with the mandolin, but feel the most comfortable playing piano. I think what I enjoy most is step dancing. When I get the opportunity I recreate the steps learned from my father and, in doing so, all those happy memories of when we danced together so many years ago come rushing back; I can feel his presence.

I have participated in several fiddle contests taking first and second place at the Cobleskill County Fair in Cobleskill, NY, and Huntington, QC, respectively. I have also played piano backup for Donald at many fiddle contests throughout New York, Vermont and Canada.

In 1993, the Perkins Family had the privilege of participating in a program called Families of New Yorkers presented by the Folk Arts Program/New York State Council on the Arts. These concerts were held on the West Capitol Lawn & Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY, and featured the finest musical families in the Empire State. During our performance, I had the privilege of dancing a jig with Matilda Cuomo, then New York State’s First Lady, on the front lawn of the capitol. What a great time we had.

I think one of the most humbling experiences was in 2002 when the Perkins Family was awarded the North Country Heritage Award given by Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY). What an honor for my family and, without a doubt, the highlight of my musical career.

Over the years our music has brought me in contact with many wonderful people. Little did I know that I would meet my future husband, Joseph, while entertaining at Woody’s Club in Redford, NY. I also didn’t know at the time that he would become a member of our family band. Another special person I hold dear to my heart is Ken Bonner. What a fiddle icon, great entertainer, and musician that held true to his art. He wrote many fiddle tunes. One, in particular, that I love is Skillet Lickin’ Breakdown. He taught me “Skillet” on one Thanksgiving Day back in the 70’s when he came to our house for dinner. I play this tune often and think of Ken, and that Thanksgiving Day, with much fondness.

My children, Daniel and Lesley, have also entertained with our band. Introduced to their musical heritage in the womb, they each possess an innate sense of musicianship and a love for a wide variety of musical genres. Daniel’s exceptional style and proficiency on the electric bass, coupled with Lesley’s sweet vocal work, has added much to our repertoire over the years. My grandson, Liam, also shows a love for music. It will be interesting to see what path he follows in his musical journey.

For a number of years we were part of the praise team at the Elizabeth Street Wesleyan Church in Plattsburgh. What a joy to serve our Lord and Savior in yet another musical genre; not only playing the old hymns but also the newer, more contemporary choruses. Although happy for the Saunders family, our family was saddened when Pastor Mike accepted a pastoral position out of our area. He, his lovely wife Diane and their family, moved to Pennsylvania yet we have stayed in touch over the years. We have had a couple opportunities to participate in Country Sunday at Crossway Community Church where he currently pastors. I remember the first time we were asked to play; it didn’t take us long to load our instruments, hop in the car, and head for PA. I asked our good friend Shaun Batho, a very accomplished musician from Pittsfield, MA, if he would lend his expertise to our sound. Without hesitation he, and wife Amy, met us in Willow Grove. What a grand time we had singing and playing the old bluegrass gospel tunes.

My musical journey has never been dull. I’ve traveled many miles playing many genres of music; old time fiddle tunes, old country, rock and roll, jazz, classical, the old hymns of the church, bluegrass and my favorite bluegrass gospel.

One of the most awesome musical adventures I've ever experienced was playing Celtic, Appalachian, Irish, and Cape Breton music in the high energy band Inisheer. My parents always said, “You are never too old to learn.” Thank you Philip and Joel, I've learned a lot while entertaining with you and grown even more as a musician.

In closing, "it's been a great ride." I'm pleased beyond measure to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the rich musical heritage of the Perkins Family.