Dave Hawkins

Long time a'comin'....
Well, it's been a busy several months, and I've not been posting much. For the 3 people who read this I apologize.
In November I performed at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Packed house... great time!
I also made the journey to Orlando for a 2 day festival.
Kinda slow going these days BUT---
Things are slowly coming together for the benefit concert for the Katrina Victims. It'll be a wonderful night in Austin... I PROMISE!
Today (December 23) I had the rare honor of attending a Muslim service at a Mosque here in Cincinnati. The reason is truly a sad one.... Tuesday night someone detinated 2 pipe bombs at the Mosque, causing over $25,000.00 in damage! Terrorism takes many forms... HATE SUCKS! It was a beautiful prayer service. I sat in the back of the Mosque with my good friend Steve Sunderland of Peace Village. We were welcomed by the imam and at the end of the service it felt almost like a reception line at a wedding. The men (women are relagated to the balcony) came by one by one and shook our hands, thanking us for our support and wishing us "Salamm"...
Wednesday we celebrated Winter Soltice, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, then Christmas day, Hanakkah, Kwanzaa and the New Year!
Happy Holidays to all!

Keep in touch....
Peace!
Dave

BY REQUEST! Here are the words to the new song-

NEVER BEEN TO MARDI GRAS
by Dave Hawkins

(chorus)
Listen to the Jazz blow
Watch the mighty ‘Mississip’ flow
You’ve got the ear of God
But I’ve never
No I’ve never been to Mardi Gras


Now it’s blowin’ through the trees Big Easy ill at ease
Give ‘em reason to believe if a Nation has a soul
Look to the land of Creole where the music plays
And the spirit of the Delta flows
Chorus

God I’m watchin’ all this rain feeding the Ponchatrain
And I’m watchin’ the river come and I’m sure we’re done
I’m prayin’ to God above can you help me
Stop this goddam flood
Chorus


©2005 J. David Hawkins
Mountainside Music- BMI

SORRY! IT'S BEEN AWHILE...
From time to time I'll be at a show and find out that someone actually DOES read the blog...
For those folks, I'm sorry it's been over a month.
So many things have been happening...
The new video is on the website (I'm sure you've already seen it)
I was in Nashville at the Americana Music Association Conference. It was fun to hook up with Pete Huttlingler, say hello to Bela and see old and new friends... I spent the better part of that Saturday in the "Davemobile" from Nashville to Bowling Green OHIO! I stopped by Cinci long enought to say HI to my wife, take a quick shower and pick up Steve Hayes. On Sunday we performed in the Family Stage Area of the Black Swamp Arts Fest. It was a rousing good time!
A few weeks ago I was in New York for 2 1/2 days at my Union Local Exec Board meeting. I feel honored to have been asked to serve on the board and it was great meeting up with my cohorts... it was fun spending the time in Manhattan and seeing the sights, but it was GREAT to get back home!
Of course we're all aware of the devastation over the past several weeks. Here in the US and around the world! PLEASE find it in your hearts and pocket books to help all of these victims! When it's no longer on the front page and the nightly news they STILL need the help....
If you're not sure of the best place to send the money needed you can Email us and we can give you some ideas. We've been getting Emails from folks who are VERY involved with relief efforts.
Keep in touch!
Peace
Dave

Traveling to Chicago was a trip :O)
(pun intended). It truly is a town with its own personality. The folks at Heartland Cafe AND Red Line Tap were wonderful. Rodgers Park is kind of a bigger version of Cincinnati's Clifton neighborhood- or so it seems to me.
I have realized, however that my days of drivin' all night are numbered... I finished up my set sometime around midnight Central time and decided I'd just come home... pulling into my garage at 7am.... OUCH!
So it was off to bed at 7:30am, totally forgetting that Wendy and I had promised to go to an Art sale/show of a friend of ours around noon, then we were to drive to Columbus Ohio to visit my kids.... I really don't remember HOW I was able to function on 3 1/2 hours sleep when I was a "kid!"
Right before I headed to Chicago I had to deal with one of our backyard trees. Several generations of Carpenter Ants and a wind-storm had taken their toll on a wonderful old crab-apple tree... given the events of these past several days my little tree and subsequent chain-saw work is NOTHING!!! So I'm not complaining.
After the Twin Towers attack several people asked if I was going to write a song about the tragedy. I personally felt awkward about writing something for "commercial use," so I didn't release anything... After seeing this devistation in the south and the administrations slow response to it (ON VACATION IN TEXAS?!?!) words started flowing-- ah, what's another sleepless night, eh?
The early framework of "I've Never Been To Mardi Gras" is in the works... I'll keep you updated.
Well, I'm off again. The next Blog will probably be from loverly Nashville, or Bowling Green Ohio... who knows?!
Keep in touch!
Peace!
dave

Well, I'm a week and 2 days late. Gitcher money back :O)
Things have been a bit slow- but I HAVE moved into the 21st century. Friday I took delivery on my iBook so I'll be able to post while on the road.
Having my head buried in work the past week I TOTALLY missed a very important and sad passing in the music world. Rest In Peace Vassar Clements! What an astounding musician he was!
I'll dedicate the rest of this blog to the write-up that appeared on his website: www.vassarclements.com
Peace! Keep in touch!
Dave

VASSAR CLEMENTS (1928 - 2005)
AUGUST 16, 2005

Dear Friends,

On August 16th 2005 at 7:20 am Nashville time, the angels in heaven stopped singing for a moment, as they heard the most beautiful music approaching from a distance - the high lonesome sound of Vassar Clements' fiddle.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of this truly wonderful and beautiful man whose purpose in life on Earth was in spreading love and happiness to people, both through his music and through his generosity and light of spirit.

Vassar indeed has touched the lives of so many of us, and we can all count ourselves as blessed to have been witness to the musical genius and kind-hearted nature of this great yet humble man.

It is a great testament to a life when those whose paths you crossed hold you up as an example on how to treat others. Vassar's guestbook is that testament and shows how incredibly loved and admired Vassar was on this Earth by both those who knew him personally and those who knew him only through his music.

I would like to thank Vassar's daughter Midge and son-in-law George on behalf of all of us that loved Vassar for the great love and care they have shown him since the passing of his wife Millie just over seven years ago. Selfless and devoted, they not only took care of Vassar emotionally and physically, but also jumped in and learned the music business so Vassar could continue to play for all of us around the country.

I picture Vassar and Millie in heaven, reunited in the love they shared that transcends all things, him playing while she dances.

Thank You Vassar - God Bless You. Rest In Peace.

GETTING CLOSER!
WOW! I hope folks don't faint at the fact that I'm ALMOST on time with this week's blog!
Last week was recording time here in College Hill. I finished up with the 5 song special CD for the Kids in Glasgow Kentucky. The CDs were shipped Friday--- I'm hoping they enjoy it!
Friday night my wife and I trekked to Columbus for a 2 day event. My nephew/Godson Tony and his now-new wife Melissa invited us to their rehearsal cookout, and then Saturday was a beautiful wedding ceremony at Seton Parish in Pickerington Ohio. This is the parish where my late-brother Steve spent 12 years of his priestly life as pastor. It was a bitter-sweet visit!
From reports the reception was a GREAT party! Ol' Dave couldn't make it, since I had to head back to Mariemont Ohio for an evening gig-- Oh well... it's a "Folksinger's Life" :O)
This week is prepping for the Chicago mini-tour, and booking out for fall.
I got a confirmation from my publicist, Lance that I'll be performing at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville on October 30. The Bluebird is a mecca for songwriters, so I'm really excited about that one!
Keep in touch!
Peace!
Dave

Late Again!
OK, I must apologize! I realize that an email went out saying I was to post Blogs starting July 25. Nine out of ten of the good sisters who taught me through my school years will tell you that I'm NOT good at turning in assignments on time.
SORRY! SORRY! SORRY!
Now that's out of the way... here goes!
July 20-21 was a HOOT! David Krieger is the director/producer of the video single "If I Could" We worked up in Athens Ohio- well into the night on Thursday the 21st. After we had it "in the can" we went up the street to "Tony's Place" for a bit o' brew.
What a hoot when a young woman walked up to me and thought I was.... get this!..... NICK NOLTE! I guess I should have given her an autograph :O)
This past Thursday I was here at home minding my own business when my friend Tom McLean called me and asked if I might be interested in 2 Comp tickets to LOGGINS AND MESSINA! WAY COOL! It was Christmas-Hanakkah- and my birthday all rolled into one!
I generally don't go to concerts much these days. I find myself being either hyper-critical of the act on stage or making mental notes and hyper-criticizing my own band's stage performance... believe me- with Jimmy Messina and Kenny Loggins that's far from the case! In 1975 I sat in the 17th row at St. John Arena in Columbus Ohio watching these guys on stage with their band... by the second song I was thinking "That's the blueprint for what I want my band to be!"
So, this past Thursday, there I was sitting in the 20th row screaming, "Whoo! Whoo! VAHEVALA!!!!"
These guys are STILL in my Top 10 of favorite acts!
www.logginsandmessina.com
Friday night I made it back to the Dubliner in Cinci along with Peg and Stan. It was a fun night with a small, but appreciative crowd.
It's off to bed! Tomorrow's a recording session for the Kids' CD...
Keep in touch!
Peace!
dave

Well, it's back home again for a week of... REST..... YEH, RIGHT!
Paperwork.... UGH! I HATE IT! (but who doesn't?!)
I'm working with Barbara, my new agent getting some tours set up and catching up on all the paperwork and Emails I missed last week while in Glasgow.
Keep in touch!
Peace!
dave