Watkins began to play with local band during the late 30's first was with an ex U.S. Calvary Bandsman and then with bassist Jimmy Brown. As a member of Browns band Earl played vaudeville and stage shows. Soon after In 1937 Earl Joined the Musician's Union which at that time were segregated. He took more lesions, played nightclubs and on New Years Even in 1937 Early became a professional musician.

By the-mid 40's, Earl Joined the Navy and was in the Navy Band. The Navy band consisted of the finest musicians from the top bands of the day. Bands like Count Bassie, Les Hite, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman and Stan Kenton.

After the Navy, Earl played in small bands and worked in nightclubs. Then He joined "Fatha Hines" and played radio shows, then television and toured from Los Angeles to New York and Canada. In 1963 Earl Left the Hines band and went to work for "Slim Jenkins" one of Oakland's leading night clubs owners. He then moved on to the Mars Club in San Jose then on to a seven year gig at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley.

After that Earl received a call from the Tom Donato Trio. They were together for ten years. During the 5o's Earl play in San Francisco and backed true stars such as Dorothy Dandridge, Arthur Prysock and others. Earl also played opposite Dinah Washington and Cal Tjader.

Today Watkins is a regular at in Jack London Square in Oakland.
He plays Sundays at Scott's Sea Food Restaurant and serves on the Board of Directors for the Musicians Union Local #6 and for OJazz.

LP's of Bird, Miles and Art Blakey. That same year Randy saw the Miles Davis Quintet perform and was swept away. Soon he began to notice Horace Silver and Clifford Brown.

In 1958 he purchased a string bass and studied with local pianist Jimmie Barnes. After Graduation from high school in 1960, Randy moved to the Big Apple NYC, switch to drums and played in a Harlem Latin jazz group. He studied drums with Walter Perkins and attended the New York College of Music.

Soon After Randy performed with pianist Elmo Hope, tenor saxophonist Junior Cook. He played sessions on Allen Street with Gary Bartz and Charles Tolliver and had a chance to see some of the greatest stars perform at venues such as Birdland, the 5 Spot Café, the Village Vangaurd, Mintons Playhouse and others.

In 1972 Randy made his way out west to the bay area and began performing with John Handy, Donald Bailey, Ed Kelly, Lonnie Hewitt and rare gems like Pharoah Saunders, Abby Lincoln and Gloria Lynne.

Currently Mr. Moore lectures on the history of African American jazz at Golden Gate libraries summer jazz program in Oakland.