Hawking Brothers Country Sweet (CD)

Hawking Brothers

In the grand tradition of American brother duets, Russell (1931-1976) and Alan (1933-1988) Hawking grew up in the 1940s. One of their major influences was the music of the Carter Family. Unfortunately the Carter Family didn't sell in Australia, so they weren't allowed to commercially record much of their material. Alan said to David Crisp that it made their day to get songs issued on the same label as the Carters. They naturally also listened to fellow Australian country performers Tex Morton and Buddy Williams. In 1955, the two barged into the offices of EMI to request an audition, beginning their recording career, which would see them tour with Johnny Cash and Buck Owens in the early 1970s. After Russell Hawking committed suicide in 1976, Alan continued the group, refusing to change its name, the Hawking Brothers Band. Old Pal Of My Heart was one of the brothers' early efforts, recorded for Columbia in 1958, featuring the steel guitar of George Xanthos.