Perrys

[DeeAnnBailey]

You can't have SGM without the Perrys in the house!!!!! Love those folks!!!

[Daniel J. Mount]

Me, too!

Word is they'll be coming out with another project come about spring. I'm already getting excited about it.

[Donna Lou]

You can't have SGM without the Perrys in the house!!!!!

Very true!!!!

[Lynn Pollard]

Would you believe I've never seen them in person????

I like what I've heard either on NQC webcast this past year or Youtube...

[JimCheek]

Would you believe I've never seen them in person????

I like what I've heard either on NQC webcast this past year or Youtube...

Boy, are you EVER in for a TREAT.....they are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

[Daniel J. Mount]

Would you believe I've never seen them in person????

I like what I've heard either on NQC webcast this past year or Youtube...

You've never seen the Perrys and I've never seen the Booth Brothers (outside of several NQC sets, which over 2 years' time might actually equal 2 hours!) ... guess we're even.

[dbmurray]

I saw my first Perrys concert apart from NQC in October. I reported on it here: http://www.musicscribe.com/blog/wordpress/?p=1113

I've seen the Booth Brothers away from NQC, but never in a full length concert where they were the primary group, unfortunately. I saw them at GOGR one time, but they only sang three songs which is even more abbreviated than their typical NQC sets.

[Daniel J. Mount]

I saw my first Perrys concert apart from NQC in October. I reported on it here: http://www.musicscribe.com/blog/wordpress/?p=1113

I've seen the Booth Brothers away from NQC, but never in a full length concert where they were the primary group, unfortunately. I saw them at GOGR one time, but they only sang three songs which is even more abbreviated than their typical NQC sets.

That was fun to read again - I'd forgotten the line about solfege and "Oh Yeah."

[dbmurray]

I'd forgotten that line as well!

[Billboy]

Would you believe I've never seen them in person????

I like what I've heard either on NQC webcast this past year or Youtube...

I have been fortunate enough to see them several times over the past few years, and have always liked them. I regret that I never got to see them when Mike Bowling and Nicole Jenkins were with them.

[JChaz]

I'm probably one of the very few around that has known The Perrys since the 70s!

They started singing during the Christmas holidays following the death of their eldest sibling, Johnny. I think it was 1970. I met them somewhere around 1980. It was just Randy, Libbi and Debbie singing-and Debbie played piano. Seems like Randy played bass guitar some. Before too long, the youngest brother, George, Jr. joined them for a few songs. He was also to be their drummer. I don't really remember him ever really playing for them, though, except just messing around before a singing.

For those that may not know, Johnny suffocated in an abandoned refrigerator while playing with some friends. George died while swimming in a farm pond with some friends. They were both 13 at the time of their death. I had the privilege of playing for The Perrys several times way back. Debbie preferred to stand and sing, so she'd bring me up and I'd play most of the concert.

They traveled in a brown and tan Econoline van. It was always funny to watch them unload!! Randy did the driving, and he looked TOO small to be behind the wheel of that thing! Their Mom & Dad, and baby sister, Rachel always traveled with them, along with Randy's first wife, Sally, and their daughter, Krisi.

They had several LPs. I have them all but their very first one. That was back when there was no product table, just an old flimsy wire rack. They had a small 6 channel Peavey PA head, and two big ole Altec Lansing speakers that were placed up on these rickety ole tripods. That was a sight, too. seeing little ole Randy and P-1 (their Dad, George) hoist those things up on those poles. Two interesting songs that I remember them singing way back when were called "A Pretty Wreath for Mama's Grave" and "Get A Pan Of Water And Wash Your Brother's Feet!" -- ( Yes, we are/were from the country, and yes, we are/were foot-washing Baptists.)

I remember that they were mainly known for their 'Hallelujah-Get-On-Down-To-Town" style singing, though. They did a TON of Hinson songs. Kenny actually produced several of their early recordings, including one that honored the life of Little George. They sang at my home church a few weeks before George drowned, and I had a good, clean reel-to-reel recording of him singing "I've Got My Foot on The Rock, And My Mind's Made Up!". I offered it to Libbi, and she took it to Kenny in Nashville. They used it on that LP. That was kinda cool. One time, they also took a real old studio recording of George, and 'doctored' it up, and made it sound like Lib was singing a duet with her late brother. Technology - It's a wonderful thing...


To say that I loved The Perrys is an understatement. Through all the group's personnel changes and their individual 'personal' changes, they have remained dear friends. My personal favorite line-up (outside of the original group) was Randy, Libbi, Tracy and Denise Helton. Denise looked like a Perry, sounded like a Perry and acted like a Perry! They were a major force to be reckoned with when they hit the stage. No one wanted to sing after they left the stage. Who would want to sing to a crowd that was literally 'exhausted' ?? I also liked the Mike Bowling/Nicole Watts version. Mike brought back that Hinson sound. (We were ALL HUGE Hinson fans, too, can you tell?)

Well, I started this out as just a quick post, but, as is usual, I ended up writing a diatribe or epistle... I guess that's why some of my friends refer to me as 'St. Charles, the epistle'... That's OK. I just wanted to share a little about the early years of some small SG giants.

[Qtman]

Very interesting reading Charlie. I enjoyed it.

[Godloves]

I really enjoy the perrys I have seen then a few times, and I love them more every time.

[Daniel J. Mount]

I'm probably one of the very few around that has known The Perrys since the 70s!

They started singing during the Christmas holidays following the death of their eldest sibling, Johnny. I think it was 1970. I met them somewhere around 1980. It was just Randy, Libbi and Debbie singing-and Debbie played piano. Seems like Randy played bass guitar some. Before too long, the youngest brother, George, Jr. joined them for a few songs. He was also to be their drummer. I don't really remember him ever really playing for them, though, except just messing around before a singing.

For those that may not know, Johnny suffocated in an abandoned refrigerator while playing with some friends. George died while swimming in a farm pond with some friends. They were both 13 at the time of their death. I had the privilege of playing for The Perrys several times way back. Debbie preferred to stand and sing, so she'd bring me up and I'd play most of the concert.

They traveled in a brown and tan Econoline van. It was always funny to watch them unload!! Randy did the driving, and he looked TOO small to be behind the wheel of that thing! Their Mom & Dad, and baby sister, Rachel always traveled with them, along with Randy's first wife, Sally, and their daughter, Krisi.

They had several LPs. I have them all but their very first one. That was back when there was no product table, just an old flimsy wire rack. They had a small 6 channel Peavey PA head, and two big ole Altec Lansing speakers that were placed up on these rickety ole tripods. That was a sight, too. seeing little ole Randy and P-1 (their Dad, George) hoist those things up on those poles. Two interesting songs that I remember them singing way back when were called "A Pretty Wreath for Mama's Grave" and "Get A Pan Of Water And Wash Your Brother's Feet!" -- ( Yes, we are/were from the country, and yes, we are/were foot-washing Baptists.)

I remember that they were mainly known for their 'Hallelujah-Get-On-Down-To-Town" style singing, though. They did a TON of Hinson songs. Kenny actually produced several of their early recordings, including one that honored the life of Little George. They sang at my home church a few weeks before George drowned, and I had a good, clean reel-to-reel recording of him singing "I've Got My Foot on The Rock, And My Mind's Made Up!". I offered it to Libbi, and she took it to Kenny in Nashville. They used it on that LP. That was kinda cool. One time, they also took a real old studio recording of George, and 'doctored' it up, and made it sound like Lib was singing a duet with her late brother. Technology - It's a wonderful thing...


To say that I loved The Perrys is an understatement. Through all the group's personnel changes and their individual 'personal' changes, they have remained dear friends. My personal favorite line-up (outside of the original group) was Randy, Libbi, Tracy and Denise Helton. Denise looked like a Perry, sounded like a Perry and acted like a Perry! They were a major force to be reckoned with when they hit the stage. No one wanted to sing after they left the stage. Who would want to sing to a crowd that was literally 'exhausted' ?? I also liked the Mike Bowling/Nicole Watts version. Mike brought back that Hinson sound. (We were ALL HUGE Hinson fans, too, can you tell?)

Well, I started this out as just a quick post, but, as is usual, I ended up writing a diatribe or epistle... I guess that's why some of my friends refer to me as 'St. Charles, the epistle'... That's OK. I just wanted to share a little about the early years of some small SG giants.

That's amazingly neat!

I've not been able to find anything of theirs before the mid '80s (their Eddie Crook years) for sale online. And I've been looking for a couple of years now.

Even though I think that their vocal lineup (and song selection) is the best now that it's ever been, they really came out with some great recordings in the day. Try listening to Little Thunder Live in Alabama (1990) without really getting going! Can't do it!

[Lynn Pollard]

Charlie, I enjoyed reading that...continue on!

[RobertYork]

Charlie, a good history of the Perrys. They always return to Georgia every year for the Gold Rush Days.

[JChaz]

I got in early this morning about 1:30, from being on the road with The Dips. Before going to bed, I was checking out this forum and my Facebook account, when lo, and behold, Libbi pops up on my computer screen. We chatted a while, and I had the chance to tell her about the new forums, here. I also told her that I had posted about some of our 'old' days together, and she indicated that she might stop in. I'd say that she will eventually stop in and post sometime, too. Just wanted to share that with you all.

[Lynn Pollard]

I got in early this morning about 1:30, from being on the road with The Dips. Before going to bed, I was checking out this forum and my Facebook account, when lo, and behold, Libbi pops up on my computer screen. We chatted a while, and I had the chance to tell her about the new forums, here. I also told her that I had posted about some of our 'old' days together, and she indicated that she might stop in. I'd say that she will eventually stop in and post sometime, too. Just wanted to share that with you all.

Hiya Charlie...I sent her an invite on facebook too...

[Qtman]

I wish Libbi would join us here.

[DeeAnnBailey]

I talked with Gerald and sent a message to Libbi so we have the two that actually got on here covered!

Gerald was about to board the ship so I doubt he'll check it out soon but he's got the info and said some admins may get coal next year for Christmas!