Dave Hawkins

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-styleguitarist named Chuck Dailey: [http://www.chuckdailey.com]

In 1969 young Jeffrey David was enlisted by a young parish priest at St. James the Lessto be a part of the “new folk liturgy movement” sweeping the nation. “Since I actuallyKNEW three chords Fr. Ken asked me to be part of the grade school folk group. So underthe direction of Fr. Ken Schroeder, CPPS and Sister Noreen Malone, OP, Dave beganmaking his first “public appearances,” playing liturgical folk songs in the St. James theLess Grade School folk choir, which Sister Noreen dubbed “The Group.”Dave continued performing with the grade school folk group through spring 1971. Thatfall he packed off to Sts. Peter and Paul (PIME) HS Seminary in Newark, Ohio, a minorseminary operated by the missionary PIME fathers: [http://www.PIME.org] Because of his “experience” with liturgical folk music Dave was immediately broughtinto the fold of the “Seminary Musicians.” The school’s “church music” was always onthe cutting edge; working up such works as “The Beret’s MASS FOR PEACE” whichincorporated 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 churchwhere he joined the adult folk choir. As part of this 6 member group Dave was able toexpand a bit. As part of the group Dave had the opportunity to play acoustic, electricguitars, 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’sdad offered to “invest” in a recording session where he could record some of the songshe’d enjoyed playing. The result was Dave’s first recording; a 45rpm single "Forever anda Day/Mr. Bojangles".The song was a bit of a hit in the neighborhood, but never gotairplay. "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 Prinewas) 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 formerChuck Dailey student; Phil Auer. Dave and Phil performed a handful of small gigs andhooked up with a drummer- Craig Gallagher and bass player- Jeff Glasser. Together theyformed The Taylor Station Band. Taylor Station stayed together for 3 years, performingMoose Lodge, weddings, private parties and a few bars. “We were really pulling in somegood money for bands in that time,” said Dave. By this time Dave was married to his firstwife and they had their first child, Nicole Danielle. “I was working a full-time day jobAND doing music pretty much full-time. Sometimes we’d rehearse 2 or 3 days a weekand 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 bitand take care of things on the home-front, this was the beginning of a 4 year hiatus fromregular performing. At this point Dave helped to re-organize the liturgical folk group ofHoly Spirit Catholic Church in the Whitehall area of east Columbus where he lived withhis 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 movedto the Forest Park area of Columbus Ohio. Dave joined the liturgical folk group in hisnew parish of St. Anthony Church. Every time Dave and his wife would go out to hearbands perform the lure of the stage and performing would haunt him… in 1985 Dave wasinvited to join a regional Irish Folk Group; General Guinness [http://www.generalguinness.com] covering duties as upright bass player and vocalist. Dave was with the band for therelease of their first album "TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSI" and stayed with themthrough 1991. Although Dave thoroughly enjoyed his time with General Guinness he feltthe need- the calling – to continue to write and perform his own songs. To that end he leftthe group just before their tour of the former USSR and never looked back. In 1992 hebegan working on what was to be his first solo release in nearly 15 years."The FoolFell" was released to critical acclaim- Dave was finally pursuing his true desire;incorporating his love of diverse musical styles with his Appalachian/Irish/NativeAmerican heritage.

In 1993 Dave’s youngest daughter, Maura was born…although this was a wonderfulhighlight of his personal life, the rest of the year brought sadness. His marriage had fallenapart. Living briefly in a one-bedroom apartment with a couch, chair and mattress, Davebegan 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 "ANGELAND THE FOLKSINGER". "Angel" was recorded and produced in New York withDave’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 thename presumptuous so he changed the name of the band to Celtic Core. “I really didn’tthink the name all that presumptuous,” Dave once said in a radio interview, “…I reallydid get the cream of the crop together for this band. It amazes me just how humble theyare.”

Dave released a live CD with Celtic Core in 1998. The albums official release took placeat the Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio. “Core” continued performing until 2000when many of the band members chose to return to their previous “gigs.” OccasionallyDave will bring some members of the band back together for the occasional festivalperformance 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 originalmembers of Celtic Core.

While on tour in 1997, Dave made a stop in Cincinnati, Ohio where he met the personwho was to become his current wife, Wendy. In January 1998 he moved to The Mt. Auburn areaof Cincinnati and began making regular appearances on the Cincinnati/NorthernKentucky 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 withIan as part of his Rubbing Elbows tour.

After a tour of Belgium and North of Ireland, Dave returned home and began working onhis 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 winningproducer/engineer Bil VornDick the album was under consideration for Grammynominations 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 PegBuchanan.

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

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

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 Ohlschmidtguest 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

Awards and recognition

Grammy

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

US Folk Music Charts

Manchester Mornings – entered the at #30

DigiFestival, Milan Italy

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