Will Hawkins

Artist Information

Biography

Will Hawkins was born in Sleepy Hollow, a small upstate town on the Hudson River, home of the Headless Horseman and a General Motors factory. Taking Sleepy Hollow's tradition of storytelling with him, Will, now based out of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, uses the influences of Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed and John Hiatt to weave engaging stories of unlikely characters with great pop sensibility and terrific hooks.
"Will is one the best new voices on the scene today"
Dennis Elsas, WFUV Radio

Starting out as an engineer, Will worked with George Benson, Diana Krall, Jonatha Brooke and Dr. John before moving into radio promotion working for a number of record labels, including Universal and Warner Brothers.

"When I worked at the labels I learned what standards I needed to work from" Will says, "There was no BS and was taught to understand the importance of sonic quality of a recording as well as how a great song is built. I think I learned from the best and was fortunate to have the opportunity to watch producers like Glen Ballard, Tommy Lipuma and Al Schmidt make records."

After managing acts like David Yazbek, who won a Drama Desk Award for his score of Broadways highly successful musical "The Full Monty", Alt-Folk troubadour Block and ex-English Beat front man Dave Wakeling, Will decided it was time to go back to where his passion was, and in 2003 released his debut "Next Stop Bedford Avenue" to critical raves.

"It was nice to get back to working on my own material again. I enjoyed where my career has taken me over the years, but there is nothing like doing your own thing. These songs were written during a huge transition period of my life and I think it’s those feelings and emotions that my listeners respond to."

Hawkins has performed all over the country with the likes of Grammy winners Norah Jones and Jesse Harris as well as Richard Julian, Jenifer Jackson, Jack Hardy, Martin Sexton, Phoebe Legere, George Clinton and Jennifer Kimball. He performs solo-acoustic as well as with is his five piece band The Good Intentions. Will's live performance is passionate and emotional and is often compared to Springsteen, Tom Petty and Martin Sexton giving heart-filled and intense performances like few has ever seen.

"Hawkins' live performance is energetic and memorable. From the first note he had my undivided attention."
~LA Weekly

Will's debut "Next Stop Bedford Avenue" is available at cd.baby.com, itunes, Tower Records and Napster and can be heard on radio stations across the U.S and Europe.

"Next Stop Bedford Avenue" is an assured, pro-sounding album. Breathe exemplifies his work that sometimes evokes hitmakers (Fade echoes Springsteen) without nicking their style. What shines through is Hawkins' street poetics. This is a singer-songwriter who knows his craft and puts it across convincingly."
~Music Connection

Instrumentation

Will Hawkins
Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals

Uses a 3-6 peice band as needed, drums, bass, guitar, keys and violin.

Discography

Sins of the Father-Summer 2006
Next Stop Bedford Avenue-2003
Five Dollar Singer-2000

Audio

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Time Out London [+ Show ]
  

  Brooklyn based songwriter Will Hawkins brings his riviting and passionate performance to the 12 Bar ...Brooklyn based songwriter Will Hawkins brings his riviting and passionate performance to the 12 Bar Club this Thursday evening. His well crafted CD "Next Stop Bedford Avenue" is a masterful blend of American roots rock in the tradition of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and early Springsteen.

• San Diego Chronical [+ Show ]
  

  After working behind the scenes in the music industry as a studio engineer, Will Hawkins steps confi...After working behind the scenes in the music industry as a studio engineer, Will Hawkins steps confidently into the spotlight with his self-produced debut Next Stop Bedford Avenue.
  
  Hawkins delivers solid proof that classic songwriting and storytelling is alive and well on his ten-track CD. A keen observer, he captures the essence of everyday people, places and things as well as the spirit of more colorful characters and subjects. Hawkins channels a captive lovers frustration on the opener Breathe, then recreates the moves of a mysterious woman with the bluesy swagger of She Walks. And he opens Around with the lyrics I met a girl from Kalamazoo/she had sweaty palms and four tattoos, which is more than enough to pull you into the story thats about to unfold.
  
  Will Hawkins deftly explores themes of change, longing and loss and easily suggests Bruce Springsteen in his glory days. But he isn't trying to be the new boss. He's just tapping into his own heart and soul and telling his own stories. 

• Performing Songwriter [+ Show ]
  

  Will Hawkins' debut solo album Next Stop Bedford Avenue was many years in the making. Hawkins spent ...Will Hawkins' debut solo album Next Stop Bedford Avenue was many years in the making. Hawkins spent his days prior becoming well-versed in the music business. He worked as an engineer turned radio promoter turned manager and subsequently shifted his focus inward and began working on his own project. A native of upstate New York and a current resident of the fertile artistic community of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Hawkins was spawned from a music scene full of other talented singer-songwriters. Obvious influences include Richard Thompson, Ryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen, Hawkins is also able to draw from his experience turning knobs for artists like George Benson and Jonatha Brooke, and has released a well-rounded, sonically exciting project. The songs are radio friendly and fully equipped with hooky choruses sung with a husky roots-rock voice.

• Music Connection [+ Show ]
  

  Will Hawkins shines through with his street poetics. This is a singer-songwriter who knows his craft...Will Hawkins shines through with his street poetics. This is a singer-songwriter who knows his craft and puts it across convincingly.

• Boston Phoenix
  

  An Honest and sincere presence on stage...terrific stories and wonderful pop hooks.

• LA Weekly [+ Show ]
  

  Hawkins' live performance is energetic and memorable...he weaves stories of un-likely characters wit...Hawkins' live performance is energetic and memorable...he weaves stories of un-likely characters with a wonderful pop influence of Tom Petty, Richard Thompson and Elvis Costello.

Setlist

The 45-60 minute set consists of the songs from both CD's as well as some well placed covers from the likes of Lucinda Williams, Springsteen, Johnny Cash and Patty Griffin.

Basic Requirements

Calendar