Dave Hawkins

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Dave Hawkins (born January 14, 1957) is an American singer-songwriter and recording artist.

Born Jeffrey David Hawkins in Columbus, Ohio.

Dave has always insisted that his first “real” guitar teacher was a young finger-style guitarist named Chuck Dailey: [1]

In 1969 young Jeffrey David was enlisted by a young parish priest at St. James the Less to be a part of the “new folk liturgy movement” sweeping the nation. “Since I actually KNEW three chords Fr. Ken asked me to be part of the grade school folk group. So under the direction of Fr. Ken Schroeder, CPPS and Sister Noreen Malone, OP, Dave began making his first “public appearances,” playing liturgical folk songs in the St. James the Less Grade School folk choir, which Sister Noreen dubbed “The Group.” Dave continued performing with the grade school folk group through spring 1971. That fall he packed off to Sts. Peter and Paul (PIME) HS Seminary in Newark, Ohio, a minor seminary operated by the missionary PIME fathers: [2] Because of his “experience” with liturgical folk music Dave was immediately brought into the fold of the “Seminary Musicians.” The school’s “church music” was always on the cutting edge; working up such works as “The Beret’s MASS FOR PEACE” which incorporated acoustic and electric guitars, piano, organ and drums.

By junior year at Sts. Peter and Paul the school began touring the greater Ohio area with a rendition of Godspell Revival, which helped solidify Dave’s love of performing. After graduating from PIME Dave went back to his old neighborhood, and parish church where he joined the adult folk choir. As part of this 6 member group Dave was able to expand a bit. As part of the group Dave had the opportunity to play acoustic, electric guitars, banjo, mandolin and even balalaika.

As much as Dave enjoyed his time with the group, he still longed for the “spotlight.” By this time he had been writing songs, (which he seldom shared) …in June 1977 Dave’s dad offered to “invest” in a recording session where he could record some of the songs he’d enjoyed playing. The result was Dave’s first recording; a 45rpm single Forever and a Day/Mr. Bojangles.The song was a bit of a hit in the neighborhood, but never got airplay. Forever is actually a wedding song, and if I had a chance I wish I could re- record Bojangles. In retrospect it’s not as strong as I would have liked it.”

With a hand full of John Prine songs (before most folks even KNEW who John Prine was) Dave began playing the “Ground Round Restaurant” circuit in the Columbus area. After playing solo for a bit less than a year Dave met up with an old friend- and former Chuck Dailey student; Phil Auer. Dave and Phil performed a handful of small gigs and hooked up with a drummer- Craig Gallagher and bass player- Jeff Glasser. Together they formed The Taylor Station Band. Taylor Station stayed together for 3 years, performing Moose Lodge, weddings, private parties and a few bars. “We were really pulling in some good money for bands in that time,” said Dave. By this time Dave was married to his first wife and they had their first child, Nicole Danielle. “I was working a full-time day job AND doing music pretty much full-time. Sometimes we’d rehearse 2 or 3 days a week and were performing 2 or 3 days a week. It was starting to wear on me and I fell into ‘doing’ some things to keep up the pace…” Dave decided it was time to pull back a bit and take care of things on the home-front, this was the beginning of a 4 year hiatus from regular performing. At this point Dave helped to re-organize the liturgical folk group of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in the Whitehall area of east Columbus where he lived with his growing family. By this time Dave had 2 children (Nicole and Kristin). In July 1983 Dave and his then-wife Diane had their 3rd child, David Patrick and moved to the Forest Park area of Columbus Ohio. Dave joined the liturgical folk group in his new parish of St. Anthony Church. Every time Dave and his wife would go out to hear bands perform the lure of the stage and performing would haunt him… in 1985 Dave was invited to join a regional Irish Folk Group; General Guinness [3] covering duties as upright bass player and vocalist. Dave was with the band for the release of their first album TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSI and stayed with them through 1991. Although Dave thoroughly enjoyed his time with General Guinness he felt the need- the calling – to continue to write and perform his own songs. To that end he left the group just before their tour of the former USSR and never looked back. In 1992 he began working on what was to be his first solo release in nearly 15 years.The Fool Fell was released to critical acclaim- Dave was finally pursuing his true desire; incorporating his love of diverse musical styles with his Appalachian/Irish/Native American heritage.

In 1993 Dave’s youngest daughter, Maura was born…although this was a wonderful highlight of his personal life, the rest of the year brought sadness. His marriage had fallen apart. Living briefly in a one-bedroom apartment with a couch, chair and mattress, Dave began writing in earnest. Dave entered into a relationship with a local Columbus harpist, a relationship which would last 4 years. From this came his second solo CD ANGEL AND THE FOLKSINGER. Angel was recorded and produced in New York with Dave’s good friend JOHN WHELAN.

In 1997 Dave brought together a group of the Mid-West’s finest Rock and Celtic musicians and formed a band- initially named Celtic All Stars – many of the band felt the name presumptuous so he changed the name of the band to Celtic Core. “I really didn’t think the name all that presumptuous,” Dave once said in a radio interview, “…I really did get the cream of the crop together for this band. It amazes me just how humble they are.”

Dave released a live CD with Celtic Core in 1998. The albums official release took place at the Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio. “Core” continued performing until 2000 when many of the band members chose to return to their previous “gigs.” Occasionally Dave will bring some members of the band back together for the occasional festival performance and in early spring for performances around the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. Dave also continues to perform regularly with Peg Buchanan- one of the original members of Celtic Core.

While on tour in 1997, Dave made a stop in Cincinnati, Ohio where he met the person who was to become his current wife, Wendy. In January 1998 he moved to The Mt. Auburn area of Cincinnati and began making regular appearances on the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Music Scene when not touring nationally and internationally. In 2004 a minor “spike” in Dave’s career occurred when he received a phone call from Ian Anderson, famous leader of the 70’s rock super-group, Jethro Tull. At Mr. Anderson’s invitation Dave flew to Oklahoma City where he performed in concert with Ian as part of his Rubbing Elbows tour.

After a tour of Belgium and North of Ireland, Dave returned home and began working on his next solo album. The initial tracks of HOTEL DEVILLE were recorded in [[Covington, Kentucky]], but finished in Nashville Tenn. Produced by 8 time Grammy award winning producer/engineer Bil VornDick the album was under consideration for Grammy nominations in 3 categories. Another tour of Northern Ireland and the North of England followed up Hotel DeVille. This time Dave was accompanied by his long time friend and tour mate, fiddler Peg Buchanan.

Upon return from Europe Dave immediate set to working on his next CD. MANCHESTER MORNINGS. For this CD - recorded in 2004 in Nashville – Dave once again teamed up with Bil VornDick behind the mixing board and producing the CD. Manchester Mornings helped solidify Dave’s name in the Nashville songwriting community. This CD was also under consideration for Grammy Nomination (in 4 categories).

By 2006 Dave decided to pull back from national and international touring to concentrate on his songwriting. In early 2007 he was introduced to Birmingham AL songwriter/guitarist Lost Jim Ohlschmidt. Jim and Dave have been collaborating on songwriting, performing and recording. As of this writing a collaborative album is planned for release in early 2008.

Contents

[edit] Discography

  • 1977 – Forever (and a day) [Blue Ash Records]
  • 1985 – Traditional Irish Music (with General Guinness)
  • 1992 – The Fool Fell [Mountainside Audio Records]
  • 1996 – The Angel and the Folksinger [Mountainside Audio Records]
  • 1998 – LIVE CORE! [Mountainside Audio Records]
  • 2002 – Hotel DeVille [Mountainside Audio Records]
  • 2005 – Manchester Mornings [Mountainside Audio Records]
  • 2008 – Best That We Can Dave Hawkins & Jim Ohlschmidt

guest artist-

  • So Inclined – John Sherman
  • Lang a’ coming – CF Ramsey
  • Murt Byrne Memorial Concert – Recorded LIVE
  • Where Is Freedom? – Compilation
  • ARC Records presents The Songs of Michael Weston King – Compilation

[edit] Awards and recognition

[edit] Grammy

Hotel DeVille under consideration for Grammy nomination in 3 categories
Manchester Mornings under consideration for Grammy nomination in 4 categories

[edit] US Folk Music Charts

Manchester Mornings – entered the at #30

[edit] DigiFestival, Milan Italy

If I Could – Music Video chosen #5 overall among more than 2000 submissions