Queen of Percussion

     When you think of percussion, usually images of drums start beating in you mind. The "Queen of Percussion" does not play the drums. Not that she hasn't tried. She just doesn't have the rhythm. Give her a tambourine, some maracas and a cow bell and it is a different story.
     Born Loreen Teresa Perkins on June 27, 1957 to Lyle and Audree Perkins, her friends know her as Lori. Lori's mom, in her youth was a female drummer, She paid to have Lori take drum lessons when she was sixteen. After a couple of lessons she was told to give it up. "As far as musical instruments go," they told me, "You have no rhythm. So, don't bother trying to play any." That didn't stop Lori. She picked up her brothers tambourine and found out she did have rhythm after all.
     Lori started playing with the Mike Burn's Irish band. Since then she has played as a guest performer with the Dave Steffen Band, Stringbenders, Iggy Rae Vicious and Rat Sass, Donnie Pick, Bobby Evans, Darryl St. John, Jeff Johnson, Gary Marg and Women in Music Minnesota.
     The Queen does not just stand on stage and tap the tambourine and shake her maracas. She dances with them. She puts a lot of energy and love into her music. Watching her perform is a show all by itself.
     Lori is a very humble person and thanks the Lord every time she can share her gift with fans. She is also very grateful to the musician friends who let her grace their stage.
     Lori is on Dave Steffen's Cd, Half a Million Miles. After her name is her initials backwards...PTL...Praise the Lord, which is what she does every day.
     Recently, Lori has started playing with a small church band on  Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. She has even listened to her friends and is adding vocals to her talents.
     When asked what else she is looking forward to she didn't hesitate replying, "I would like to be back in a band on a regular basis and get paid for it."  With a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes she asked, "Do you know any bands hiring?"
     This is another example of a musician who loves what they are doing so much they didn't let any obstacles get in their way. "No rhythm?" Lori torts. "I showed them."