J.R. Hawkins DRUMS

My theatrical career started in 1985 with my first musical, "Rocky Horror-LIVE", starring RUPAUL at the OUTFIT, on Peachtree & 10th Street. I did one other show with RUPAUL and future "SUPERMODEL" producer, DICK HARRY called, "Shaggy Dog Animation". Seeing RU on roller skates was worth the price of admission. The most important person in my theatrical career by far is the musical director for my first 5 musicals, DENNIS WEST. He directed me in "Rocky Horror-LIVE", "Megan's Moving Sale", "The Who's, TOMMY", "Della's Diner", and "Little Shop of Horrors". His musical direction of "TOMMY", starring STEVE BOYES in 1986, was the first production ever in the USA. In 1989, Dennis and I joined musical director ERIC FERGUSON at the Roxy Theatre for "BEEHIVE", starring MARY WILSON of the SUPREMES". This all girl production of 50's & 60's 'Girl Group' hits rocked Atlanta for 2 months. Mary's version of "Respect" and 'Natural Woman', and "Cookie Watkins" does 'Tina Turner' are featured on this web page. In 1991, I did another great all girl Broadway production, A--My name is Alice, in the last Broadway show done at the Atlanta 'Roxy Theatre' before Coca-Cola bought it in 1992. Later that year I got to play drums on film in "CONSENTING ADULTS", starring KEVIN KLINE and KEVIN SPACEY. The scene features Arthur Miller's daughter, REBECCA MILLER, singing in a blues bar while the 2 Kevins watch over drinks. The scene was filmed LIVE. On September 15th, in the fall of 1991, WSB radio asked it's listeners to show up and play tom-toms around HANK AARON's statue at Atlanta's old 'FULTON COUNTY STADIUM' to support the BRAVES in their pennent race against the LA Dodgers. Myself and 3 other guys showed up and played 24 hours a day with full support of WSB until the BRAVES lost Game 7 of the WORLD SERIES almost 6 weeks later. Because I was the only real drummer in this group, I was asked to lead them and became a "BRAVES WORLD SERIES MASCOT". The week after the Game 7 loss, the BRAVES had a parade down Peachtree Street that I was given the honor of leading by WSB Radio. Leading a parade through 700,000 people was the thrill of a lifetime. In 1992, the BRAVES made it to the WORLD SERIES again. The Tom-Tommers and I were sponsored by 96 ROCK FM. In 1992, I started what has been a 15 year relationship with producer, director, KIMBERLY DOBBS. Starting in 1994, we did 3 National Tours. Neil Simon's, PROMISES, PROMISES, featuring the hit song, "What do you get when you fall in love", "BOOMERS", a locally written and produced musical revue, and the 1930's period piece, "Red, Hot, and Cole", featuring the songs of COLE PORTER. In 1996, Atlanta's Olympic Opening Ceremonies music was composed by MICKEY HART of the GRATEFUL DEAD and conducted by none other than JOHN WILLIAMS. Myself and PRAIRIE PRINCE, (drummer for Journey, Jefferson Starship, the Tubes), were chosen to teach the 200 drummers on those 20 ft. high drum towers. WE HAD A BLAST!! The complete Opening Ceremony was directed by KENNY ORTEGA of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL fame. Starting in 1997, and for the last 10 years, I have been playing with SWAMI GONE BANANAS, a 60's and 70's tribute band that plays fesivals and nightclubs all over the southeast. Starting in 2001, I've had the good fortune of performing at THEATRE IN THE SQUARE in Marietta. That summer I did "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" with an all-star cast, and later that year I did the 20th anniversary production of "1940's RADIO HOUR" as Band Leader ZOOT DOUBLEMAN. I must thank musical director MICHAEL MONROE for that. I continued with that show for 5 more years until it closed it's 25 year run on January 7th, 2007. I still do musicals locally and have had almost 90 'Opening Nights' in my career.