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Elliott and Perkins met in 1987 and found their interests in music were the same. They began working together, sharing and reviving some older styles of American music, which led to their sensitive, soulful style.
When Perkins joined Elliott, they found they had a natural knack for entertaining any group of people who gathered around. They are relaxed performers, the kind of guys you want to sit around and talk with. And they do talk - about their music and how it comes about. Then they make the music that shows off their talent.
While both men contribute equally musically, Elliott is the showman in the duo. He's the one who gets out front and breaks the ice, the spokesman, talking directly with the audience.
Vocally their style is reminiscent of the early brother-groups of country music. Both men are probably more traditionalist than contemporary, yet their music has qualities of and from both.
Alton Elliott |
Alton Elliott, from Davidson County, North Carolina, grew up surrounded by his dad, Dewy Hyatt and uncle's traditional two-fingered-style banjo playing. Picking up the banjo at an early age, Alton learned the modern three-fingered style. Over the years Al has become a multi-instrumentalist, playing banjo, guitar, bass, and mandolin, but his favorite and most accomplished talent is singing.
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Learning these traditions, Alton says was of major importance to his music at an early age, and that it taught him a very important lesson in timing and other qualities of musicianship.
Other elements that were extensions of these traditions were singing in the church choir and listening to local members give their renditions of traditional Southern Gospel music. The first job Elliott got was playing banjo, for a short stint, in Al Greene's southern gospel group, The Foundations.
Around this time he and his brother Randy Elliott would start their own unit,
(The Elliott Brothers and the Davidson County Boys) that would be primarily focused on vocal arrangements.This would eventually lead to be a major influence on the tight harmony of Original Formula.
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Dewey Hyatt
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Robert Perkins |
Robert Perkins from Randolph County, North Carolina, grew up surrounded by his dad's, William Perkins, excellent selection of musical talents. Robert picked up the instrument of his choice, guitar, at an early age, about 9 years old. Like Elliott, Perkins was learning the traditions of a wide range of American music styles. |
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