Tony Hawkins

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Tony Hawkins
Tony Hawkins in 2011.jpg
Born
Tony Ervin Hawkins [1]

(1963-11-15) November 15, 1963 (age 61)
Valdese, North Carolina
NationalityAmerican
Occupations
Years active1986–2011
Musical career
Genres
Instrument
Labels
Formerly of

Tony Ervin Hawkins (born November 15, 1963) is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the longtime bassist of the Southern rock band Copperhead. [2] He was an original member of the band, performing on their acclaimed 1992 debut and remaining with the group through their breakup in 1995. Following Copperhead, Hawkins co-founded the bands Jonas Ridge and later A Course of Action, which found regional success during the 2000s. [3]

Contents

Career

Copperhead (1986–1995)

Hawkins joined Neil Carswell and Jon Byrd in founding the Southern rock band Copperhead in 1986 in Morganton, North Carolina. Hawkins, whose bass-driven grooves were central to the band's rhythmic foundation, recorded on the group's 1992 self-titled debut album for Mercury Records, which was produced by Tom Dowd and mixed by Rodney Mills. [4] The band found success with the single "Whiskey", which charted on AOR radio in 1993. [5]

Copperhead toured with major acts including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, and .38 Special before disbanding in 1995 due to internal tensions, declining commercial support for Southern rock, and the departure of vocalist Neil Carswell. [6]

Jonas Ridge (1996–2000)

After Copperhead dissolved, Hawkins and Byrd formed the alternative rock band Jonas Ridge in 1996. With Jason Davis on vocals and Okey Parsons on drums, the group pursued a more contemporary sound influenced by post-grunge and radio rock. [7]

Jonas Ridge released a self-titled album in 1997 featuring songs like "Inside" and "Peace of Mind." Despite strong regional shows and positive feedback, the band's second album—recorded in 2000—was shelved and only resurfaced in the early 2020s when members uploaded tracks to digital platforms. [8]

A Course of Action (2000–2011)

In 2000, Hawkins and Byrd regrouped with Parsons and new vocalist John Culberson to form a new band initially called Hybrid. The band developed a heavier rock sound influenced by Chevelle, Deftones, and Breaking Benjamin. [9]

After the release of their debut album Hybrid in November 2004 and an EP titled Now You See in January 2006 before the band decided to change their name to A Course of Action in November 2006 citing marketing reasons. [10] The group's first full-length album under their new band name, titled Dark Before the Dawn which was released in May 2011. That album marked Hawkins last release with the band before his retirement later that year.

Hawkins officially announced on December 11, 2011 he woud be retiring from the music industry after 25 years, stating his desire to step away from the band to spend more time with family. He was subsequently replaced by bassist Wes Johnson. [11]

Discography

With Copperhead

With Jonas Ridge

With A Course of Action

References

  1. ↑ "HAWKINS TONY ERVIN BMI SONGVIEW DATABASE". BMI Songview Database. BMI. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Allmusic Database - Tony Hawkins, Southern Rock Bassist". Allmusic. Mercury Records. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Band Biography: Jonas Ridge / A Course of Action". sellaband.com. Management. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Copperhead Album Liner Notes". Eastwinds Records. Mercury. Archived from the original on May 10, 2003. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  5. ↑ "US AOR Tracks Chart (R&R) - COPPERHEAD / Whiskey - March 19, 1993" (PDF). World Radio History. R&R Magazine. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Interview With Copperhead - Bands of Dixie Magazine #53 - December 2006". Sweet Home Music. Luc Brunot. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Jonas Ridge Band Profile (1996–2000)". heavyharmonies.com. Jason Davis. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Jonas Ridge's Unreleased Second Album". Helter Shelter Records. September 18, 2021. Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Museboat Band Page - A Course of Action". museboat.com. Museboat. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Hybrid Band History and Name Change". sellaband.com. Management. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Tony Hawkins Departure from ACOA". A Course of Action News Archive. Spire Records. Archived from the original on January 1, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Discography: Tony Hawkins (American Bassist)". discogs.com. Staff. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
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