Album Notes

Christen grew up in a musical family and being the youngest, found herself playing assorted instruments when all of the relatives got together to play music from the eras past. Her mama on piano, and Roger(Walls) on trumpet(now famous in Canada!) and her daddy on the sweet potato, uncles and counsins with fiddles and voices. Life is music and the music heals and takes on the journey....... Christen earned a BA in piano and later was certified to teach music in public school. However she enjoyed the one on one arrangement of private teaching even more and taught for over 15 years. She also found time to play in a jazz band in Branson, Missouri, and later, dinner and après ski music in Aspen, Colorado.

Since she moved to the Bend area, Christen has joined the Unity Center of Positive Living and written prolifically for them for the last few years. She was their first music director when they organized in January 2001. Many of her songs are spiritual in nature and can range from bluegrass, to blues to classical.She has just finished her
first Spirit based CD,"You Send Me Angels".
"The words of my songs come back to me during the day sometimes, when I need to be reminded of what I already know, but forget. It is in that remembering that we connect with our Source and operate from wholeness and not our lower, base selves. Writing my songs is about asking the questions of my soul and receiving answers that take me out of the maze and into the light. Even my secular songs are an exercise of exploration, celebration and healing. But my Angels album is special, in that I realized the gifts are always there from our Creator and Provider. It's up to us to hold out our hands and to catch and use them."

-Christen Hawkins

When she joined Central Oregon Songwriter's Association (COSA) she felt like she'd found a second family ready made. Their enthusiasm for writing and sharing songs and the comradeship she found there gave her another avenue for her diverse musical interests. She has written songs centered more on relationships and life (coming soon Jazzy, ecclectic, blues infused "Sweetness and Passion". Also be prepared for "Folk You!" a celebration of the trailer trash bonanza of Slim and Dixie's original, put-the-fun-back-into-dysfunctional CD with Barry Stranahan)

Bonnie Raitt has been a large influence on her music and Christen covers several of her songs in live performances. The blues is a touchstone for her as well as the roots music that she grew up hearing as a child. In college she played mandolin in a jug band, sang in a classical madrigal group and never missed a Grateful Dead concert in Eugene. It was a big change from the farm outside Rose Hill, Kansas. But, a natural hippie at heart,she soon was at home. As long as she had a garden and a pet...

Christen's an eclectic musician who may play a ballad from the 1940s, a Sheryl Crow song,deep blues, a traditional folk song, or one of her own, depending on the venue, the people listening and her mood at the time. An enthusiastic musician and dancer, she loves good harmonies and combining her talents with others for the joy of the music. Just this spring she was the pianist for the very popular Patsy Cline Review in Bend Oregon.

Christen is available for solo piano, guitar and vocal music also plays with a duo and band. Have money will travel! Namaste.