Adrian Perkins Jr. "AJ" plays the drums as his father plays the piano at their family's church in Brownsville, Tenn., his father taught AJ how to play when he was 4, now he's the lead drummer of his group.
Adrian Perkins Jr. ("AJ") started playing the drums when he was 4 years old. According to his dad, Adrian Perkins Sr., AJ was "beatin' on everything" and showed a passion for music. Two years later, AJ is now the lead drummer of his family's church, New Revelation Baptist Church in Brownsville, Tennessee.
"Just seeing him play, and hearing him play, makes me feel great," Perkins said. "With a passion of music and hearing his skills, it's a gift that he has at such a young age. (It) is simply amazing."
The Perkins family performs together in a group called the HM Perkins Praise team. The family members sing and play gospel music and praise God when they go on tour. It's a family group singing, playing gospel music and praising god when they go on tour.
When AJ practices, Perkins doesn't expect him to get it right the first time. He sees his son as a perfectionist, and he likes to remind him to not give up and keep trying every time he plays.
"My daddy taught me how to play the drums, but I came out of my momma's stomach learning how to play drums," AJ said. "(Music) makes me feel great and (knowing) God is keeping me safe."
AJ holds his sister's Imani Perkins hand while praying at church and listening this grandfather and pastor's sermon, Harold Perkins, at the New Revelation Baptist Church in Brownsville, Tenn., Sunday, June 6, 2020.
AJ waits for his father's signal to begin playing during rehearsals at New Revelation Baptist Church in Brownsville, Tenn.
AJ plays the drums with his family in front of the church in Brownsville, Tenn., Sunday, June 6, 2020. The family performs together at various churches in the community to praise god.
During rehearsals AJ practices with his father at Brownsville, Tenn., in their family's church New Revelation Baptist Church.
Adrian Perkins, father of AJ, plays on the piano singing with his son next to him during church service at New Revelation Baptist Church in Brownsville, Tenn., Sunday, June 6, 2020.
According to AJ, there's a power that goes through him that reminds him to pray for everyone he loves. He says he plays for Jesus Christ because he is his Lord and savior.
Perkins believes his son is exceptional because he notices how focused he is and how passionate he is when playing music. He'll peak peek over at AJ and see him singing the words with his mom and sister. This motivates Perkins to bring in other passionate children to play music and grow into their talents as well.
When the Perkins family travels to other churches to play for the community, people notice the little boy who plays the drums. According to Perkins, everyone is always amazed at how old he is and how well he plays.
"They are amazed at the gift that God has given him," Perkins said. "People always walk up to him wanting to bless him. They love the give gift that he has."
AJ said: "I love Jesus. He's good to me and I listen to him, and I'm just doing God's work."
When AJ grows up, he hopes to become a musician and continue playing the drums. He also hopes to start his own family band and follow in his father's footsteps as a director.
AJ look up towards his dad while he sings and plays on the piano, he hopes to one day grow up like his father and be the future's band director at their families church. "I love Jesus. He's good to me and I listen to him, and I'm just doing God's work." Aj said.