With the presence of a choral element as a device to add texture to his songs, but for the first time ever, the legendary voice of Walter Hawkins comes into view as the brilliant counter tenor that he is, awing listeners with the dynamics of his phenomenal, nearly operatic, vocal range and his passionate reverence for the Lord, God.Īfter 30 years of being recognized by his peers with nominations/wins from the GRAMMY, Dove, GMWA and Stellar awards, he has also worked with a broad range of artists R&B (Jeffrey Osborne), Rock (Van Morrison), Jazz (Lee Oskar) and Dance Music (The late Sylvester) artists. “Elegant,” “stunning,” and a “gift from God” are just a few of the words that describe this most sacred debut of Walter Hawkins, solo artist. A Song In My Heart is a journey to the ultimate place: the freedom to worship without boundaries. He says of his music laden childhood, “In the Hawkins’ house, my father didn’t go to church, so we listened to a gamut of music country western, quartets the Staple Singers, we loved the Staple Singers Tony Bennett, Barbara Streisand…so in terms of my writing, my history is incorporated in my style of writing.” In staying true to his musical past, Walter Hawkins dexterously uses the up tempo excitement of Latin music, the subtleties of jazz scatting, the splendor of classical string, the wisdom of harmonica, the youthful energy of hip hop and the intensity of dance music, bringing A Song In My Heart to a ground-breaking plateau. I decided, I am going to sing everything that I love.” I wanted to do things that would make me stretch. ![]() I tried to do songs with a timely message. “This time, with my music, I was trying to figure out what was me, at this late date in my life. ![]() Inspired by his undying reverence for God, Hawkins uses all of God’s sonic possibilities, which have been laid at his feet. PT.Įveryone is requested to wear the color “CREAM”įor more info on the services and arrangements go to Bishop Walter Hawkins Coda RecordsĪ Song in My Heart, his new album, denotes his long prayed-for musical emancipation. The Walter Hawkins musical Tribute will air Sunday on the G.M.C July 25 at 8:00 p.m. Bobby Jones, Marvin Winans, and BeBe Winans. The master of ceremony duties will be shared between Dr. The musical directors will be Edwin Hawkins, Donald Lawrence, Kurt Carr, Richard Smallwood, and Bishop’s own musical director Rusty Watson. Lady Tramaine Hawkins will be make a special appearance along with Bishop Hawkin’s sister, Lynette Hawkins Stevens. The Tuesday Night Musical Celebration, titled, “The Man, the Music, The Ministry: A Musical Salute to Bishop Walter Hawkins” will be Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Pastor Donnie McClurkn, Daryl Coley, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Ledisi, Ted Winn, Kim Burrell, Byron Cage, Karen Clark Sheard, DJ Rogers, Melvin & Doug Williams, The Love Center Choir and more. Bishop Hawkins you will be missed, but we thank God for the assurance that this is not the last place we’ll see you. The Hawkins family is one of the main reasons why my love for Gospel music is so strong today. On a personal note, this is a sad day for me as The Hawkins dynasty was one of my first introductions to Gospel music that my mother exposed me too. Walter Hawkins leaves behind two children, Jamie and Trystan Hawkins from his first marriage to Gospel legend Tramaine Hawkins, along with siblings Edwin, Carol, Freddie, Daniel and Lynette. Hits like “Be Grateful,” “Thank You,” “What Is This,” “Change,” “Dear Jesus,” and “Marvelous,” reiterate just what a prolific songwriter/artist he was.īishop Hawkins also split his time between being a highly sought after artist and Pastor of The Love Center Church in Oakland, CA. ![]() Walter’s timeless melodies and brilliantly crafted lyrics are still some of the most re-recorded and re-produced songs today from some of the Gospel industries biggest names. Gospel music wouldn’t be what it is today without the last name “Hawkins” attached to its historic legacy. Walter Hawkins was a pioneer and a Gospel legend, not only in Contemporary Gospel music, but also in music history as a whole. Bishop Hawkins had been battling pancreatic cancer for some time, but was said to be in good health and even returned to most of his pastoral duties. BISHOP WALTER HAWKINS DIES AT 61 (UPDATE ON FUNERAL & MUSICAL CELEBRATION)Īs this terrible news continues to send shockwaves through the Gospel industry, I’m deeply saddened to report that Bishop Walter Hawkins passed today Jat the age of 61.
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