Folk singin' locals

Check out the family filled folk band from Lake Placid.

By Shawn Sylvester

 

 

The Perkins Family Band is a folk band that travels all over the upstate New York region sharing classic folk music and spreading family values.

Don Perkins, Lois Perkins and Phyllis Ezero Perkins are all from the Perkins Family Band. Each one of them grew up in a home were folk music put a smile on everyone's face. Born and raised in Lake Placid, the Perkins Family began traveling with their father, who in the 1940s held square dances.

"We would all pack up our things and head out to the next destination. While on the road, at such a young age, my brother and sister began to develop interest in playing an instrument of their own," Phyllis Ezero Perkins says.

Don found his instrument to be the fiddle. He is now not only playing with the Perkins Family Band, but he also travels alone playing his fiddle for people all around the North Country. Lois began to play the piano while traveling with her father and has evolved as a pianist since then. When it was Phyllis' turn to claim an instrument, she found her joy in the drums.

"When we all got older and our musical skill improved enough to play with our father at his dances, we started playing in the band. That's when the fun began," Phyliss says.

Since then, the Perkins Family Band has played in almost every area of the North Country. From backyards to bluegrass festivals, the Perkins Family Band has played them.

"Since we are a family, we are not just sharing music, we are also sharing family values. We have come a long way and without the help of our family who knows were we would be today," Phyllis says.