Ted Hawkins (mandolinist)
Edward Lee "Ted" Hawkins (born November 14, 1894 in Atlanta , Georgia , † February 4, 1985 ) was an American old-time musician and mandolinist . Knowledge of Hawkins' life is based in large part on the biographies of other contemporary musicians. In addition to the mandolin, Hawkins also played the banjo and guitar .
Life
Hawkins lived most of his life in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. He taught a few younger musicians, such as his friend Puckett and the musician Doug Spivey to play the guitar , which Hawkins had an influence on old-time music.
Between 1913 and 1935, Hawkins was a regular participant in the Atlanta Fiddler's Conventions and won several prizes in the banjo competition. In 1918, along with Clayton McMichen and Lowe Stokes, he was a founding member of the Lick the Skilet Band , which would later become the Hometown Boys . With this band and various other musicians, Hawkins was often heard from 1922 on the program of the WSB radio station in Atlanta , Georgia. His brother Boss Hawkins also played guitar in the Hometown Boys. With Boss Hawkins (William Haygood Hawkins) and Mike Whitten he also played together in the Hapeville String Band .
In August 1923, while on tour with the Hometown Boys, Hawkins took part in a Fiddler's Contest in Macon , Georgia, and won first prize as a "top banjoist". Hawkins spent the 1920s mainly accompanying Riley Puckett on tours of the United States. Since Puckett was blind, Hawkins had to drive him to his performances and was therefore often on stage and supported Puckett. In 1925, the two musicians had a car accident in which Hawkins and Puckett were seriously injured. Hawkins was hospitalized for a total of six months.
In the 1930s, Hawkins had engagements with various bands at radio stations in Atlanta. With the Atlanta Ramblers he could be heard on WGST in 1931 and with the Mountaineers on WJTL in 1932. Hawkins played with the latter for Columbia Records between 1930 and 1931 records. In 1934 Hawkins became a member of the string band Gid Tanner and his Skillet Lickers as a mandolinist , which had re-formed due to their separation in 1931 and held their last session for Bluebird Records in March 1934 in San Antonio , Texas . Hawkins in particular gave these pieces a sound that was very similar to that of the later bluegrass . Some of Hawkins' recorded records for Bluebird have also been released in the UK through the Regal-Zonophone Records label.
When not playing music, Ted worked as a carpenter and roofer to make money for himself and later his wife, Dossie Harper. After 1935, Hawkins apparently disappeared from the music scene. He died at the age of 90 and was buried in the city cemetery in Jonesboro , Georgia.
Ted Hawkins was one of the earliest mandolin players in country music history and influenced the next generation of musicians who would develop the bluegrass. Bill Monroe , the Father of Bluegrass , admitted in an interview to Charles K. Wolfe that he had never heard a Hawkins record. Hawkins is often associated with teaching guitar to Riley Pucketts, one of the most influential and individual guitarists in old-time music.
Discography
Hawkins is listed as both Ted and Ezra.
Singles
| year | title | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Records | |||
| 1931 | Roamin 'Jack / When The Lillies Bloom Again (In Old Kentucky) | as Ted Hawkins' Mountaineers | |
| Bluebird Records | |||
| 1934 | Texas Hop / Raindrop Waltz | with Riley Puckett | |
| 1934 | Kirnball House / Hop Light Ladies | with Riley Puckett | |
| 1935 (?) | Tokyo Rag / Rainbow Waltz | with Riley Puckett | |
Recording dates
Atlanta, GA , December 5 (or a day later) 1930
Lowe Stokes (fiddle), Ted Hawkins (mandolin), Riley Puckett (guitar), remaining cast unknown
- Sanford Barnes , Columbia unpublished results
- Mandolin Rag , Columbia unpublished
Atlanta, GA November 2, 1931
Unknown (fiddle), Ted Hawkins (mandolin), Unknown (guitar), Johnny Tallent (vocals)
- Roamin 'Jack , Columbia 15752-D
- When The Lillies Bloom Again (In Old Kentucky) , Columbia 15752-D
- Hawkins Rag , Columbia unpublished results
- Memories of Mother , Columbia unpublished
San Antonio, TX March
29-30 , 1934 March
29th
Ted Hawkins (mandolin), Riley Puckett (guitar)
- Tokyo Rag , Bluebird B-5656
- Texas Hop , Bluebird B-5473
- Raindrop Waltz , Bluebird B-5473
- Rainbow Waltz , Bluebird B-5656
March 30th
Gid Tanner (fiddle), Gordon Tanner (fiddle), Arthur Tanner (banjo), Ted Hawkins (mandolin), Riley Puckett (guitar)
- Down In The Valley , Bluebird B-5691
- Zelma , Bluebird B-5691
- Kirnball House , Bluebird B-5514
- Hop Light Ladies , Bluebird B-5514
literature
- Wayne W. Daniel: Pickin 'on Peachtree - A History of Country Music in Atlanta, Georgia (2000); University of Illinois Press, ISBN 0-252-06968-4
- Tony Russell: Country Music Records: A Discography 1922-1942 , p. 413; Oxford University Press, ISBN 0195139895
Web links
- Ted Hawkins in the DAHR database , see also other database entries: A B C D (English). Retrieved May 27, 2019.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Diane Jones: Edward Lee Hawkins. Find A Grave, accessed November 7, 2016 .
- ^ Wayne W. Daniel: Pickin 'on Peachtree - A History of Country Music in Atlanta, Georgia , p. 148; University of Illinois Press, ISBN 0-252-06968-4
- ↑ Bill C. Malone: Stars of Country Music (1975), p. 31; University of Illinois Press, ISBN 0252005279
- ^ Charles K. Wolfe: Classic Country: Legends of Country Music (2001); Rutledge Group, ISBN 0415928273
- ^ Tony Russell, Bob Pinson: Country Music Records . A Discography, 1921-1942. Oxford University Press, New York 2004, ISBN 978-0-19-536621-1 , pp. 413 (English, Google Books [accessed November 7, 2016]).
- ^ Ezra "Ted" Hawkins (instrumentalist: mandolin). In: Discography of American Historical Recordings . Retrieved November 7, 2016 .
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Hawkins, Ted |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Hawkins, Ezra; Hawkins, Edward Lee |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American country musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 14, 1894 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Atlanta , Georgia |
| DATE OF DEATH | 4th February 1985 |