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- History of the Group...
This year commemorates a lifetime of music and praise as The
Hawkins Family celebrate 50 years in gospel music. In 1958, Buddy
and his wife, Imogene, formed the quartet with their two young
daughters, Lou and Norma. Buddy answered the call into the ministry
which took the family to Longview, Texas. They provided the
music for the tent meetings. Since this was prior to electric
keyboards they used an old upright piano and Buddy learned right
away how to tune a piano (daily). After leaving the tent ministry
the family began to sing in singing conventions and monthly
singings around Hot Springs. They soon became a familiar sight
at local churches and began to sing throughout Arkansas and surrounding
states. Today, the group members include Morris Tabor, Lou Tabor,
Terry LeMay, Valerie Oliver, Dan Henderson and Paul DeWeber.
The group is a member of the Texas Gospel Music Artists Association
and the Four States Gospel Music Association. In addition to
their own website they are featured artists on other websites
which include Heaven Sound, Smoky Mountain Gospel Music and GospelOK.
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- Special Places...
The group is very active in spreading the gospel through their
musical talents. They have sung in many revivals, special services,
homecomings, and concerts. Other functions include the Arkansas
State Fair, Mesquite Opry, Festival of Two Rivers, South Arkansas
Quartet Convention, Hope Watermelon Festival, Arkansas State
Quartet Convention, Saline County Old Fashion Days, Sawmill Days
Festival, Mid South Quartet Convention, the Ozark Folk Center,
Prairie Grove Clothesline Fair and the Lester Flatt Memorial
Park. They have also appeared in concert with The Cathedrals,
Lewis Family, The Isaacs, The McKameys, The Hemphills, The Freemans,
The Kingsboys, Charles Johnson & the Revivers, The Bishops
and Gold City Quartet. In their willingness to help others they
have participated in numerous benefits throughout Arkansas.
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- Hickory Hill Park...
In addition to singing and being a part of these activities,
in 1987 they built Hickory Hill Park located just off Highway
7 North in Hot Springs. It is dedicated solely to the promotion
of gospel music and Christian fellowship. Nestled among shade
trees in the heart of the  Ouachita
Mountains, the hillside amphitheatre provides an intimate view
of the central stage with its earthen floor banked by a wall
of natural mountain stones. The park offers a monthly schedule
of downhome, southern gospel concerts from May through September
each year. One of the highlights of the summer season is the
Hawkins Family Homecoming Celebration held each year in July.
In addition to great gospel music each night this event features
a birthday celebration complete with a giant birthday cake, and
"a Family reunion" on the last night. Crowds continue
to grow as visitors from all over take a drive to the country
for some good ole' southern gospel music.
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- Radio, TV, Records, Tapes...
The group produced weekly gospel radio programs for many years
on local stations. In 1994, they put together a special two-hour
live program for a Mississippi TV station which features religious
broadcasting. In addition, they have produced eight projects
presenting their unique southern style of music and close harmony.
As a part of the 40th Anniversary Celebration the daughters re-released
the Gloryland tape as a tribute to their Mom and Dad. A project
entitled Amazing Grace…How Sweet the Sound was released
in 2003 in celebration of 45 years in gospel music. There are
22 songs on the compilation CD including live performances, favorites
from projects through the years, as well as songs which have
not been recorded on any other project. Granddaughter, Angel,
sings the title song. Their latest project, Gentle Shepherd,
features songs recorded by the current group.
Today, they share the warmth and sincerity of their desire to
further the cause of Christ by opening their peaceful home at
Hickory Hill to all who appreciate the beauty of voices lifted
in praise. All other weekends away from the park will find this
group traveling the highways sharing their music...southern style!
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- "There's
a message that encourages the discouraged, lifts up the downhearted,
excites the unexcited, and entertains the listener...it's called
Gospel Music!
Let us bring glory to God as we sing it…"
-- Buddy
Hawkins
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