Published: February 01, 2008 03:30 pm         

Guitarist bringing Piedmont style of blues to Romney

ROMNEY, W.Va. - Ernie Hawkins, a disciple of a form of blues nearly lost, that of the Piedmont style of guitar, will bring that style of music to Romney on Feb. 8 in a performance at The Bottling Works, 426 E. Main St.

The show, which begins at 8 p.m., is presented by the Hampshire County Arts Council. There is an admission fee, but audience members 17 years old and under may attend for free.

Through his acoustic guitar and vocals, Hawkins shares with his audience a blend of personal experience and acoustic blues that was passed on to him directly from some of the original masters like the Rev. Gary Davis, Son House and Mississippi Fred McDowell. in the classic blues, gospel and ragtime traditions that ranged from the East Coast Piedmont to Texas.

"Ernie Hawkins is an important link in the unbroken chain of blues and gospel artists. His guitaristry and love of the style is incomparable. From the Rev. Gary Davis into the future with his own style Ernie is one of the special ones," said Jorma Kaukonen, one of the foremost guitarists of the past four decades, founder of Jefferson Airplane, now touring with Hot Tuna.

Hawkins has taught at most of the major guitar camps in the world and been featured in SingOUT!, Fingerstyle Guitar, Dirty Linen, Acoustic Guitar, Blues Revue and Vintage Guitar magazines.

Maria Muldaur, on whose Grammy and Handy Award nominated album, "Richland Woman Blues," Hawkins played, says of him: "Ernie Hawkins is a true living apostle of the True Living Blues. He not only plays each note authentically and flawlessly in a wide variety of traditional and modern blues styles, but more importantly, he delivers a huge measure of soul in every note - and after all - that's what the blues are all about."

For further information, visit www.HampshireArts.org or call (304) 496-8201.