Brooklyn Legend Rick Perkins can be described as a multi-faceted Renaissance Man. When updating Rick's profile, his widow Oscar Hernandez Perkins his daughter Candace Veasey and friend Bobby Glanton Smith provided photos, personal stories and career accomplishments that will require several days to cover.

Rick's family's home was located on Rt3. He and Frances Holman Moore (lead singer with Wayne Newton) were neighbors and attended schools in Brooklyn together. Rick started playing in the school band under the direction of George Hudson. He chose the trumpet and worked hard to become first chair. He was an accomplished athelete in high school. In his senior year, he was captain of the school's basketball team and pitcher for the baseball team. After graduating high-school, Rick enlisted in the Airforce, becoming a Senior Airman. Upon returning home (Brooklyn), he picked his horn up and became a working musician. He was a member of George Hudson's Orchestra. He eventually joined Casey and The Matadors who had become the hottest band on the East Side. Brooklyn's famed Harlem Club was a hotbed for musicians who played the segregated clubs in St. Louis. After finishing their gigs in St. Louis, they came to Brooklyn which was then known as The 24 Hour Town. Rick played trumpet for every big name artist that played clubs in St. Louis including Ike and Tina Turner. To Rick, music was life and life was music.

At the peak of his career, he did something that most accomplished musicians would consider unthinkable. He took a 23 year hiatus. His reason for during so, speaks volumes of his character and dedication to family. After he and the mother of his children divorced, Rick became a single father, embracing the responsibilities of raising his daughters Ricki and Candace. A choice he never regretted. When he would hear music, it stirred his soul. Rick reminisced about his days as a working musician.

When the time came, the man with the Billy D. William looks who could make a trumpet sing, made a come back in 2000. He purchased a trumpet from a local pawnshop and began his musical journey that led him to heights unimaginable.

Rick had honed his chops on the pawnshop trumpet and was ready to embark on his musical career. Before doing so, he went home to visit Prince Wells IIII. During that visit, Prince sold Rick a trumpt befitting a serious musician. It was a Benge trumpet, which was a collectors item. Prince joked that he sold it to Rick at the Brooklyn Discount rate. Rick migrated to California in the 1980's. It was here that he met Bobby Glanton Smith, who became like a brother to Rick. They found themselves moving in the same business circles.

Having the looks, charismatic personality and ability to connect with people served him well. Black owned Founders National Bank was the first financial institution that Rick was affiliated with where he served as Vice President. It wasn't long before the President of Family Savings and Loans, Mr Wayne Bradshaw, recognized Rick's business savy and scooped him up with a quickness from Founders National Bank. Rick became Vice President of this financial institution as well. Rick was on fire! The late Muhammad Nassardeen, founder of Recycling Black Dollars, convinced Rick to join his non profit organization as Senior Vice President. By now, Rick had built an impressive network of Movers and Shakers. He was known as the Straw that Stirred The Drink by his colleagues. When he made the transition to Recycling Black Dollars, he brought his people with him. While at Recycling Black Dollars, Rick was instrumental in implementing CHANGE BANK DAY which moved over fifteen million dollars from Traditional Banks to Black Owned Banks. The mindset of this organization is "Every Chance You Can, Put A Dollar In A Black Man's Hand. Plug Into The Power." It had a membership base that included local businesses as well as members of the Black communities. Businesses displayed the emblem in their windows and members received a 10% discount off services and goods. Membership increased substantially and innovative concepts during Rick's tenure were implemented. Recycling Black Dollars is still in existence today.

Although he had found success in the business world, Rick still yearned to play his music. After his friend/brother Bobby Glanton Smith heard him play, he convinced Rick to pursue his heart; music. Being the innovator that he was, Rick assembled world renowned musicians Makil Majeed (keyboards), Wali Ali (guitar/vocals) who was the musical director for Aretha Franklin, William "Bubba" Bryant (drummer) who was musical director for Bobby Womack and The Back Street Boys, Rasheed Bahati (tenor sax) and Billy John Young (lead vocals). The Rick Perkins Jazz Quintet was born. Bobby booked gigs and served as the Master of Ceremonies. There was one problem, Rick didn't like these smoked filled establishments and decided this was not the venue for him. He and Bobby shifted gears and sought corporate gigs which afforded more financial stability and a professional smoke free venue.

Rick and Oscar Hernandez met in 1989. She had a scheduled meeting with him when he was Vice President of Founders National Bank. She was there seeking sponsorship for a project with Arnold Schwarzenegger in which she was involved. Oscar was (and remains today) a producer, and director of major award shows in Los Angeles, California.

Mrs. Perkins stated that on this day, they became a Power Couple and were married soon after. They were evenly yoked and matched in every aspect. Their love and dedication to family allowed their families to blend in harmony. Rick's daughters (Candace and Ricki) and Oscar's daughter (Tanya) became one family. Rick later adopted Monique Brand ( two time Emmy Award winner and writer for Voices United of Killeen). Their passions, business savy, connection in the entertainment industry, and hustle enabled them to build an empire. Their union was not only of the flesh, but one that binded their souls. Their union was likened to a complex sophisticated fragrance that blends the absolute notes of sweet vanilla, praline, and the citrusy aroma of neoreli, grounded with the woodsy notes of patchouli and ambergris creating a timeless and iconic attar.

Together, they produced and directed major productions in the entertainment industry including the NAACP Theater Awards from 2003-2014. Oscar produced and directed the NAACP Theater Awards and Rick was Music Director of the NAACP Theater Awards. The Rick Perkins Quintet Plus One (which included his son in-in law, Samuel Earl Veasey on percussions) was the musical nucleus.

In 2017, Oscar and Rick created the Celestrial Awards of Excellence. She and Rick have recognized and honored many celebrities in the entertainment industry. October 2024. Mrs. Perkins will produce and direct The Cellestrial Awards of Excellence in Los Angeles. A special tribute will be given to honor Rick Perkins. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be named after him.

In addition to his music career, Rick was also a community activist. In 2005, the family moved to Victoria, Texas, where he published Voices United of Victoria. In 2014, the family moved to Killeen, Texas, and he published Voices United of Killeen. Both publications focused on community and college students in particular.

Rick never forgot where he came from. He loved our hometown and helped every chance he could. When one of our historic churches, Antioch Baptist Church was damaged, Rick was contacted for help. Antioch was his family church when his mother lived in Brooklyn. He used his resources in the banking industry to help the church acquire funds for repairs. He often brought his family home for visits. His widow and daughters say that he often told them stories of growing up and playing music in the school band and as a professional musician at the Harlem club.

Rick transitioned life on this earth, but he continues to inspire and touch the lives of many. Our young men in Brooklyn don't have many positive role models to mentor them. If just one young man who reads Rick's profile takes it as an example of what a small town boy can achieve, it will be a testament to Rick's legacy.

HSOBI would like to thank Mrs. Oscar Hernandez Perkins (his widow), Bobby Glanton Smith (his brother), daughters( Ricki, Candace, Tanya, Monique and his sons (son in-laws) Samual Earl Veasey, and Donald Girdy Jr. , to allow us into their private lives to obtain pictures, experiences and narratives making this tribute possible. It should be noted that Rick loved and cherished his grandchildren (Brittany Veasey, Shannon Bursey, Bradley Mills, Shannan and Arianna Girdy).