![]() Youth Chorale, a 100-person group of students from District high schools, which performed superbly in its own program slot. The Hawkins singers were notably backed up on several selections by the D.C. Walter was a part of his brother Edwin's choir, The Northern. He and his brother Edwin were a natural on the keyboards and it wasn't long before their talents became publicly known. Born in Oakland, California, Walter grew up in the Bay Area with seven siblings. Shirley Miler was just as powerful but more restrained, moving like a cruising limousine. Grammy award winner Walter Hawkins was the brother of the famed Edwin Hawkins-Oh Happy Day. Lynette Hawkins delivered her songs in a robust manner reminiscent of a locomotive speeding through the night. Not to be outdone, however, were Shirley Miller and Lynette Hawkins, both contraltos with significantly different approaches. If there was a crowd favorite, it was Tremaine Hawkins, Walter's wife, whos magnificent soprano soared on "Going Up Yonder" and dipped and moaned to the balladic "Christ is the Way". The group has such a dazzling array of soloists that it's hard to single out anyone. They concentrate on blending traditional gospel concepts with today's music trends - and the result is marvelous. The family ensemble, seven singers (Edwin Hawkins plays piano and sings), a drummer and organist, is easily one of the outstanding contemporary gospel groups. Now it's Edwin and Walter Hawkins and the Hawkins Love Center Group, featuring the two brothers, three sisters, a cousin and a sister-in-law. For those who wonder what happened to the Edwin Hawkins Singer after their smash hit "Oh Happy Day" almost a decade ago, part of the answer lay on a rousing concert Tuesday night at the Warner Theatre.
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