Article published June 20, 2009
Famous family returns: Hawkins singers to lead conference in Toledo
Walter Hawkins performs at the Landmark Theater in Richmond, Va. Singing at right are Tramaine Hawkins and Edwin Hawkins.
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CAPITAL ENTERTAINMENT/ROBERT SHANKLIN
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By DAVID YONKE
BLADE RELIGION EDITOR
One of the most famous families in gospel music is coming to Toledo to lead a conference for aspiring gospel artists to help them improve their musical, spiritual, and business skills.
The 28th Annual Edwin Hawkins and Walter Hawkins Music and Arts Love Fellowship Conference returns to Toledo tomorrow through Saturday for the first time since 1994.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 people are expected to attend workshops and performances scheduled at St. James Holiness Church of God in Christ "The Armory" and the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center.
In addition to Edwin and Bishop Walter Hawkins, the conference's special guests will include their sister Tramaine Hawkins and such gospel stars as LaShun Pace, Richard Smallwood, Donald Lawrence, and Toledo pastor and singer the Rev. Rance Allen.
| Hope For The World Prayer |
“Father and God of this world, heaven and earth. We give glory, honor, worship, and praise to you. We thank you for the blessings bestowed upon us. And now we’re asking your guidance and that you give us a willing heart to listen and follow your lead.
We thank you for the change and a President to help bring the new administration to improve our government. We pray for the safety of the first family. We pray for the leaders of other nations, our allies and their countries.
We pray for the United Nations also that they will be able to bring about a Constitution to make the world a better and safer place to live.
We pray also for those serving our country in Military and those of other nations, that we may all work for the common goal of peace and harmony.
Now we pray that the body of Christ, the believers in God can come together despite our denominations and pray for the world. ‘Jesus prayed, Father make them one as we are one.’ (King James Version, John 17:11, 21-22).
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”
- Edwin Hawkins |
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"St. James Holiness, the church that hosted us several years ago, invited us back and they gave us great support when we were there," said Edwin Hawkins, explaining why they scheduled the conference in Toledo for a return engagement.
This is a big year for Edwin Hawkins because it marks the 40th anniversary of his landmark gospel hit, "Oh Happy Day."The song was an upbeat remake of an old hymn, recorded by Edwin and a youth choir. It was one track on an album that the choir had recorded as a local fund-raiser to help pay for a trip to Washington.
But the song wound up on an FM radio station in San Francisco and quickly became a mainstream hit.
"Oh Happy Day" sold a million copies in two months, went on to sell more than 7 million copies, and earned Edwin Hawkins his first of four Grammy Awards.
"It was absolutely and completely a surprise," Edwin Hawkins said in an interview from his home near Oakland, Calif. "We weren't looking for a record deal. We had no ideas or dreams of that at the time. It was something God did all by himself."
He said he doesn't know how many artists have recorded versions of "Oh Happy Day," but said some of this favorites were done by Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples, Glen Campbell, Ramsey Lewis, and Quincy Jones.
He said he has yet to hear Queen Latifah's interpretation of the tune that is featured on a new EMI gospel compilation titled, "Oh Happy Day: All-Star Music Celebration." That disc features gospel classics performed by such stars as Al Green, Michael McDonald, Jonny Lang, and Jon Bon Jovi.
Edwin Hawkins said the annual Music and Arts Love Fellowship Conference seeks to train young artists in all aspects of the gospel music business.
"There are many young people looking for either a way to share their music or to learn how to create and write. We have a songwriter's class, we have a keyboard class, we have a class that talks about the business of gospel music and the ministry of gospel music," Edwin said.
His younger brother, Bishop Walter Hawkins, has won numerous music awards and in 2004 released his first album as a solo artist, "A Song in My Heart."
He is the founder and pastor of the Love Center Ministry in Oakland.
Bishop Hawkins, who turned 60 last month, underwent surgery last September for pancreatic cancer, the same disease that has afflicted actor Patrick Swayze.
"It's been stressful to say the least," Edwin Hawkins said. "He's a walking miracle."
The doctors had anticipated a six to eight hour operation, he said, but when they opened him up the cancer was much worse than expected.
"Had it been any other doctor, he would have closed him and just given him a matter of time. But this doctor said he felt compelled to proceed," Edwin Hawkins said.
The surgery on Bishop Hawkins lasted 22 hours and the doctor said he thought he got all of the cancer, Edwin said.
He said his brother is doing better, is almost done with his chemotherapy treatments, and performed this month with the Boston Pops.
Edwin Hawkins has been busy putting together the New Edwin Hawkins Singers, which will have 10 to 12 vocalists, and is getting the group ready for a Hope for the World Tour.
"We will do a concert in each city and bring in clergy from across the board, nondenominational, to pray for the President, for the United Nations, and for leaders around the world," he said.
"The Bible commissions the body of Christ to pray for those in authority. I think we should do more of that and less complaining," he said.
The 28th Annual Edwin Hawkins and Walter Hawkins Music and Arts Love Fellowship Conference will feature a pre-conference musical at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 640 Indiana Ave. The conference will continue through June 27. Information is available by calling 510-729-0680 or online at musicandartslovefellowshipconference.org.
- David Yonke
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