Guitarist Wayne Perkins started life in Birmingham, AL, in (1951). He was raised in a house filled with six sisters, one brother, and parents who loved music and played guitar. It seemed only natural for Perkins to pick up one of those guitars when he was about six years old. With a lot of practice he taught himself to play the instrument. At only 15, Perkins got his first gig as a session musician, in the Prestige Recording Studio. Shortly after that he found work performing with a couple of small-time bands. One group was called the Vikings. Charles Nettles was a fellow member. In 1968, drummer Jasper Guarino helped Perkins land a steady job as a session guitarist in a studio owed by Quin Ivy. Perkins made a whole 100 bucks a week at first. After a while he left session work temporarily to form another band, Smith, Perkins and Smith. The trio recorded a couple of albums and toured in England. When the group spilt, Perkins moved on to bands like the Gap Band, the Shelter People Band, Take No Prisoners, Fever, and Problem Child. Another group he performed with was the Alabama Power Band that had been formed by his brother Dale. It later became known as Crimson Tide and completed a couple of albums. In 1995, Perkins at last recorded a solo debut album, Mendo Hotel, that carries tracks like "Big Stratocaster," "Little Girl Eyes," "Money No Good," and "Where Did Love Go." Through all his bands and even his solo, Perkins is probably best known in the music world for his powerful work as a session guitarist. His name is listed in the credits of recordings by artists including the Alabama State Troupers, Ben Atkins, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Michael Bolton, Angela Bofill, the Everly Brothers, Louise Miranda, the Oak Ridge Boys, Billy Ray Cyrus, the Rolling Stones, and many others. ~ Charlotte Dillon