Area Singer Working To Be A Star
Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 12:00 AM
BY Joe Tennis Features Writer Send e-mailBiography |
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Printer FriendlyFor Brock Hawkins, the road to fame and fortune must also include his family. This aspiring country music star from Abingdon has two young children – a little boy named Alex and a little girl named Abby – plus a wife named Hillary.
And while he’s working to achieve stardom, Hawkins vowed, “My kids and my wife are my number-one priority.”
The singer graduated from Abingdon High School in 1995.
Still, it was this singer’s surname – Hawkins – that really caught my curiosity.
“My family comes from Russell County,” Hawkins said.
“Near Hansonville?”
“Yes,” he said.
His family is the same “Hawkins” of Hawkins Mill – a landmark that once stood near what is now U.S. Highway 58-A.
And Brock?
“That’s my God-given name,” Hawkins said.
Actually, it’s Travis Brockman Hawkins. The 30-year-old grew up in Abingdon. His music career evolved from singing karaoke plus some strong encouragement from his wife, a Greendale Elementary schoolteacher who pushed her husband to find some financial backers and produce his first CD, “Country Side.”
Now, Hawkins has put his career as an insurance salesman on hold while he works full-time to be like his idol: Garth Brooks. Years ago, Hawkins saw Brooks sing at a local show. Then, about a month ago, Hawkins saw Brooks again – “in passing” – in Nashville.
For much of the past year, that’s where Hawkins has been – in Music City, recording music. “By day, I’ve been selling insurance to coal miners. And, by night, I practice with the band,” Hawkins said. “I see myself as someone who loves to get on stage and sing country music.”
Hawkins has had the fortune of working with a songwriter, Brian White, and cutting tracks that have a personal meaning to him, he said.
His CDs are on sale at Berry’s Home Center and Matt Smith’s Music, both located in Abingdon, and on his Web site, www.brockhawkins.com.
This weekend, you can catch Brock Hawkins performing on May 3, 6 p.m., at Marion High School. The show is a benefit for the March of Dimes. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12. Opening acts include Supper Break of Smyth County and Laken Loupe of Saltville. Call (866) 881-0032.
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Posted May 01, 2008 @ 01:32 AM by Virginia
I am just a little old grandma have no influence or pull in any way but suggest to Hawkins to send his CD to country western radio stations and they may just play his misic and he may become the next Garth Brooks----just a thought he may know this already----Good Luck!
