The Hawkins Family will appear at the Garland County Fair from 6:30-8 p.m. today in the Pageant Building at the Garland County Fairgrounds, 4831 Malvern Road.
This year commemorates a lifetime of music and praise as The Hawkins Family celebrates 60 years in gospel music, a news release said. The family started out in a tent ministry and later appeared regularly at 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 (Hawkins) Tabor, Gene Hendrix and Terry LeMay. Their live band includes piano and guitars featuring Gary Jones and Dwight Ford.
In 1987, the group built Hickory Hill Park off Highway 7 north. The outdoor amphitheater is dedicated to the promotion of the gospel through music. The park offers a monthly schedule of down-home, Southern Gospel concerts from May through September each year. One of the highlights of the summer season is the Hawkins Family Homecoming Celebration held in July.
They have sung in many revivals, special services, homecomings and concerts and have appeared in concert with The Cathedrals, Lewis Family, The Isaacs, The McKameys, The Freemans, Dixie Echoes and Gold City Quartet. In their willingness to help others they have participated in numerous benefits throughout Arkansas, the release said.
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 that features religious broadcasting. In addition, they have produced many projects presenting their unique southern style of music and close harmony. In 2003, "Amazing Grace ... How Sweet the Sound" was released in celebration of 45 years in gospel music.
Entertainment on 09/14/2018