Chris Hawkes
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Chris Hawkes

Austin, Texas, United States | SELF

Austin, Texas, United States | SELF
Band Pop Singer/Songwriter

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Chris Hawkes"

Chris Hawkes is a Dallas-based acoustic/rock artist who knows the power of meaningful and straight-forward lyrics. With a voice that shimmers on all notes, Hawkes uses his Americana sound to engage the listener in wonderfully structured and soulful songs that, when coupled with honest lyrics, make you think, "yeah, that's it." Great music is supposed to echo the things inside of you that you can't find the words for, to reach out into that void and pluck out the feeling that you couldn't convey to anyone else - it's a rare talent in the music industry, and Chris Hawkes has it.

His vocal range is quite impressive, as can be heard in the song Falling Into Doubt when Hawkes easily graces into falsetto with immaculate control. His sound is also surprisingly excessively mainstream-friendly, especially on songs like Finally Free, so it's no shock that Chris Hawkes has been played on popular music outlets like MTV.

If you admired the quality production of his tracks, you should know that Chris is a recording engineer and producer with his own recording studio, One Road Studio. I've said it before and I'll say it again- music production is key to a great album. Judging by his tracks, Chris is not only a great musician, but a great recording engineer. Doubled together, you end up with a great album.

Bottom line: These songs are dripping in gross amounts of mainstream-potential with a solid core of honest lyrics and pure talent. I'm really shocked that Chris Hawkes isn't more of a household name. Regardless of the type of music you're into, you should add him to your music library, because as acoustic rock goes, this is high quality. Check him out. - Guit Free Pleasures


"Must See Shows"

If Chris Hawkes could simultaneously play all the instruments on his second CD, Because I Feel That
Way Too, he probably would. As it is, the Dallas native wrote, produced, mixed and engineered the
entire record. He even created the album artwork and graphic design. Talk about a do-it-yourself guy.
Because I Feel That Way Too showcases Hawkes' uncluttered brand of pop-rock. His sound has a
fresh, acoustic-toned vibe even when he employs a full band, as he does on the disc. Songs such as
"Finally Free," "Again," "Falling Into Doubt" and "Control" strike a natural balance between
chugging energy and organic simplicity.
Hawkes, a working musician, is constantly looking into opportunities for exposure for his songs. After
all, we live in the lucrative age of tunes in television commercials, shows, movies and ring tones. So,
three of Hawkes' compositions from Because I Feel That Way Too – "Again," "Falling Into Doubt"
and "Finally Free" – have been programmed into new Windows Mobile smart phones sold at AT&T
stores.
- Dallas Morning News


Discography

2007 Guitar and Voice
2009 Because I Feel That Way Too
2011 Broken Record

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Bio

CHRIS HAWKES is a native Texas singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He collaborates and performs with a community of musicians and writers from his home in Austin, Texas.

Hawkes can be described as a rock guitarist with a dynamic voice. His lyrics are meaningful, personal and straightforward. His drive for expression doesn’t end in songwriting. Hawkes also pours himself into each performance both recorded and live. “My favorite part of creating a song is open expression of something very personal or getting a specific message across. Stepping back and saying ’yeah… that’s exactly what it feels like.”

In 2007, Hawkes released his first solo acoustic album “Guitar and Voice” which was featured on MTV’s popular series The Hills. This was soon followed by the release of a second independent album “Because I Feel That Way Too” which combined his singer-songwriter compositions with more developed full-band production. The Dallas Observer called it “earnest pop/rock that displays a keen songwriting touch” Three tracks from the album, “Again”, “Falling Into Doubt” and “Finally Free” were pre-loaded in AT&T smart phones. By late 2009 “Because I Feel That Way Too” was supported with commercial and independent radio play on 165+ stations in the U.S. and spurred national touring for the album.

While touring in 2010, Hawkes co-wrote and recorded “Mystery” with Annemarie Jensen (a.k.a. Mary May Love of Copenhagen, Denmark) including the song on her debut album, “Melodies”. It also started the initial recording of what became his third album, “Broken Record”. Shortly after it’s release, “Mystery” was added to rotation on Denmark’s most popular radio station, P4. “There was complete silence in the studio as even the most seasoned sat with tears in their eyes”, said P4’s Radio DJ, Alex Nyborg Madsen.
“Broken Record” features a variety from guitar and string arrangements to a full blues band and showcases Hawkes’ continued talents in musical artistry, dynamic production, and emotive song craftsmanship.

Working both as a producer and independent musician creates an interesting blend. “I feel extremely blessed to have my music, my relationships and creative energy all intermingle. It gives me so much freedom to express and constantly challenges me to bring something to the table. I guess it’s my job but it never feels like work.”