Who is Al?

Okay, who is "Al" (me) -- often referred to as "Big Al" -- and why am I doing this?  I mean, why is the Mellophone so important that I'd put up this whole website for it?

Al soloing with the Million Dollar Band

Well, I am Alan David Perkins.  I was born in Boston, Massachusetts.  I started playing music in kindergarten when my parents made me take piano lessons.  I learned cornet by the 3rd grade, which I continued after I moved to Mobile, Alabama, up to the 9th grade when I started marching band.  Then, because I didn't particularly like any of the other trumpet players, I switched to French Horn, getting acclimated through a DEG Mellophone.

In a way, this website is my opportunity to be true to my own heart.  Though I continued to play the French Horn, I secretly relished playing the Mellophone, hoping some day to become a noted and respected mellophonist.

Al at the 84 Olympics

But, being that I was a serious band geek and aspiring musician/teacher, the choices I made steered me away from the Mellophone.  Instead of marching in a Corps, I spent my summers in camps such as at the University of Southern Mississippi and Brevard, all the while pining for the marching field.

I majored in Music Education at the University of Alabama and was a member of the Million Dollar Band, where I played a Conn for the first year, but then a King 1120 for the last three.  While there I was section leader and, once, a featured soloist.  (I recall during marching band warm-ups, I'd tuck away from the masses and wail on Mozart and Strauss on the Mellophone, secretly wishing this noble yet misunderstood instrument were more legit as I enjoyed playing it far more than the French Horn that took up the rest of my time.)  Finally, when I was a Senior at the UofA, I got to represent the state of Alabama at the XXIIIrd Olympiad in Los Angeles as part of the All-American Marching Band, where much butt was kicked.

I became a Band Director for a couple of years in southern Alabama.  Then came the long hiatus, during which I moved to New York (among other things).  After playing French Horn in a few groups such as the Queens Symphonic Band and the Doctor's Orchestra, I took yet another hiatus.

Al playing in the pit band for a production of "Once Upon a Mattress"

It was then I discovered the Tenor Horn, which was a happy link to the Mellophone.  I played for a season with the Imperial Brass in New Jersey, but the rehearsal schedule interfered with too many other things and, sadly, I had to drop out.

It was after this experience that I decided it was time to apply myself to the Mellophone and, whenever possible, create opportunities to use it.  Being that I have a number of theatrical affiliations (click here) I was able to play Mellophone in some pit bands with ease, as well as to grab a feature here and there when participating as a singer in musical revues.

So, what's next?  I'm working on recording a solo album.  I'm not sure whether it will be on a traditional Mellophone or bellfront, but I plan on getting started on it very, very soon.  I have a few other projects in my head that combine music and theatre.  I'm currently looking for the personnel to get rolling on them.  (Anyone know any ex-Corps or DCA folks in NYC?)

And that's me.  Big Al.  Thanks for visiting the site!