Pigeon Spins Featuring an Interview with Stevie Hawkins

Stevie Hawkins - A Song For You

Stevie Hawkins is a Grammy-recognized, Blues Hall of Fame “Legendary Blues Artist” whose powerhouse vocals and masterful drumming have made him one of the most respected names in modern blues and soul. With a career spanning decades, Hawkins has performed and recorded with an impressive roster of music icons, including Leon Russell, whom he played drums for in the 1970s and again in the mid-1980s.

Blending deep Southern roots with raw emotion, Hawkins’ music resonates with authenticity, paying homage to the great traditions of blues while carving a distinct, contemporary sound. His live performances captivate audiences with both fiery energy and heartfelt soul, earning him a loyal worldwide following.

Beyond the stage, Hawkins’ recordings showcase his versatility as both a vocalist and musician, delivering songs that are as powerful in storytelling as they are in sound. With multiple awards and honors, including induction into the Blues Hall of Fame, Hawkins continues to inspire generations of artists and fans alike.

A true torchbearer of the blues, Stevie Hawkins embodies the spirit of the genre—passion, resilience, and truth in every note.

Stevie Hawkins has released a deeply personal new recording of Leon Russell’s iconic “A Song For You.” While countless artists have covered this classic, Hawkins brings a rare authenticity to it. This recording represents a powerful full-circle moment, paying tribute to one of his greatest influences while offering a fresh and soulful interpretation.

The track blends heartfelt vocals with lush orchestration, capturing a timeless sound that bridges soul, blues, and jazz. Produced and arranged with collaborators like bassist Rusty Holloway and mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Howie Weinberg, the result is both intimate and world-class.

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Interview with Stevie Hawkins

• What does it feel like to cover a song you originally played alongside the legend himself?

Recording a song that I originally played alongside Leon Russell feels incredibly surreal and humbling. There’s a deep sense of nostalgia that hits me when I think back to those concert performances—how his presence was so magnetic, how effortlessly he brought his genius to every note. It's difficult to describe the energy in the room when he played; it was like watching someone channel the very soul of music itself.

Now, as I record this song again, I feel this strange mix of honor and responsibility. I’m not just re-recording a track; I am preserving a moment in time with someone who shaped the sound and soul of music for generations. I wanted to ensure I did justice to what he created, but at the same time, I also wanted to bring something of my own to it, something that reflects how much I’ve learned from him and how much that experience shaped me.

At the same time, there’s a sense of pride and personal growth—having learned from him, whether directly or through osmosis, and now using those lessons to bring something new to the recording. It’s a reminder of how lucky I was to be part of his musical journey, and every time I listen back to the recording, I’m reminded of how much I still carry those lessons with me. There would be moments of pure joy in revisiting the musical magic that was shared with him, as well as a quiet, respectful acknowledgment of the legacy he left behind. It’s an emotional experience, definitely—a blend of joy, respect, and maybe even a bit of awe.

• How did your experience drumming for Leon Russell influence your vocal interpretation?

Drumming for Leon Russell had a huge impact on my vocal interpretation. I’ve been a vocalist as well as a drummer my entire career. But as a drummer, you're always locked into the rhythm, the pulse, and the groove of the song, but with Leon, it was different—his music was alive in a way that demanded you feel every part of it, not just play it. His style was so soulful and expressive, and being in that space with him made me more aware of the way every note, every pause, and every dynamic shift can change the feel of a song.

It definitely made me think more about the relationship between rhythm and melody when I sing. Leon had this unique way of phrasing that wasn’t just about hitting the right notes; it was about feeling the space between them. That made me approach vocals with more sensitivity to the timing, the subtleties in delivery, and how important the moments of silence and tension are. I started listening to music differently, hearing the spaces where a vocalist can breathe or when to let the rhythm section take over.

His live performances were full of spontaneous moments, and I learned to bring that same kind of freedom and improvisation into my own vocal style. It's about letting the music guide you, not just following the sheet of music or the lyrics. I find myself now thinking less about hitting perfect notes and more about capturing the emotion, the ebb and flow, and the groove in the vocal delivery. Leon really taught me that singing is just another instrument in the band—one that has to interact with the rhythm and the soul of the song in a very organic way.

• Which moment during the recording gave you chills or made it feel truly special?

There was a moment during the recording of A Song For You that absolutely gave me chills. I was deep into a take, and everything just seemed to align—the groove, the emotion, the space in the room. When the band locked in and the vocal hit that sweet, vulnerable spot, I could feel the air change. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about connection. In that instant, it felt like the music was bigger than any of us—like we were channeling something timeless. That’s when I knew the song had its soul.

• How do you balance honoring the original while bringing your own voice to the song?

Balancing the honor of the original recording of "A Song For You" with bringing my own voice to it is definitely a delicate dance. That song holds so much history and emotion, and the way Leon Russell crafted it is pure genius. I’m always mindful of how deeply it resonates with people, myself included, so I want to make sure I respect that essence. But at the same time, I know my own experience with it is unique, and I’ve got my own emotions and perspective to bring to the table.

When I approached the song, I started by soaking in the original, really feeling the subtlety and depth of what Leon did—his phrasing, the way he lets certain words linger, and the way the melody weaves in and out of the groove. That sets the foundation for me. But as I start to make it my own, I have to remember that I’m not trying to copy him; I’m channeling the same spirit and emotion, but through my own voice.

I’ll think about the parts of the song that resonate most with me—maybe a particular line or a feeling in the lyrics—and I’ll focus on giving that my own interpretation, whether it’s with a slight change in melody, phrasing, or inflection. There’s room for subtle shifts that reflect where I am in my life, what I’ve learned, and how I’ve grown since first hearing it. Sometimes, it’s just about trusting my own intuition and not overthinking it. It’s all about staying true to the heart of the song but allowing myself to bring in my own energy and emotion as well. That’s where the balance lies.

At the end of the day, I want people to hear my version and still feel the same sense of connection to the song that they felt with the original, but also hear a bit of me in it, too. It’s about honoring the past while still making space for the present.

• What story from your time touring with Leon Russell do you most want fans to hear?

The story I always love to share with fans is how I first got the gig with Leon Russell—it still feels a little like something out of a movie. Back in July of 1974, I sat in playing drums with the Sheffey Hollow Band, a local band opening for Leon’s Summer Tour at Bill Meyer Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee—the former home of the Knoxville Smokies minor league baseball team. After our set, I was having fun in the outfield with Bobby “BB” Brown, Sheffey Hollow’s full-time drummer, showing Cliff Davies, drummer for the British progressive rock band “If,” how to throw a Frisbee. “If” was recorded on Capitol Records and was also a show opener. But truth be told, my eyes and mind kept wandering over to Leon’s tour bus. I remember thinking, Man, I sure would love to play drums for Leon Russell.

So, I just decided to go for it. I walked straight up to that bus, knocked on the door, and when the tour manager opened it, I asked him point-blank, “How do I get a gig playing drums for Leon?” He kind of laughed, but then he said, “Come on in.” Turns out he’d seen and heard me play with the opening band and was impressed—and as fate would have it, they actually needed a substitute for one of the drummers on the tour. Leon typically used two drummers in those days.

After Leon’s show that night, as the stadium cleared out, the tour manager introduced me to Leon. Once the stadium was empty, Leon sat down at the piano, I got behind the drums, and we jammed a few of his songs together. It just clicked. Luckily, I had been totally immersed in his “Stop All That Jazz” album that was being promoted on the tour, because he called to play a couple of those tunes, and I was able to pull them off without a hitch. That night, I got the gig—and before I knew it, I was on the road playing the last leg of the tour with Leon Russell. It was pure serendipity—one of those moments that reminds you how a little nerve and a lot of heart can change everything.

• How did collaborating with Rusty Holloway and Levi Adelman shape the track?

Working with Rusty Holloway and Levi Adelman really brought A Song For You to life in a way that felt organic and deeply musical. The foundation they created—Rusty on bass and Levi on piano—gave the song a heartbeat and a soul. Rusty’s tone and feel are so solid yet sensitive; he doesn’t just play the notes, he breathes with the song. Levi brought this emotional touch on the keys—tasteful, spacious, and perfectly in tune with the mood we were chasing.

Because of the way they played, I didn’t have to think about structure or timing—it was already there. That freed me up completely as a vocalist to just feel the moment. I could phrase my lines naturally, let the emotion lead, and trust that they were right there with me, every beat of the way. Their musicianship gave me room to be vulnerable and expressive—to sing not just to the track, but with it. That kind of chemistry doesn’t happen every day, and it’s what made the performance feel truly alive.

• Why do you think A Song For You continues to resonate across generations?

I think A Song For You continues to resonate across generations because it speaks to something timeless—pure, honest emotion. It’s not tied to any one era or style; it’s about love, loss, gratitude, and the connection between people—all those deeply human things that never go out of style.

Leon Russell wrote it straight from the heart, and that kind of truth always finds its way to listeners, no matter when or where they hear it. Every generation brings its own experiences to the song, and somehow it still feels personal—like Leon is singing to you, or like you’re singing to someone you love. That intimacy, that sincerity, is what keeps it alive. It’s one of those rare songs that reminds us how powerful vulnerability can be—and that’s something we all recognize, whether we’re hearing it for the first time or the hundredth.

• How does this recording represent a full-circle moment in your career?

Recording A Song For You was a real full-circle moment for me. All those years ago, I got my first big break playing drums with Leon Russell—the man who wrote this incredible song. To come back decades later and record his song, this time as the lead vocalist and producer, felt like closing a beautiful loop in my musical journey.

When I was on tour with Leon, I was soaking everything in—his phrasing, his soul, and his way of making every note mean something. Those lessons stayed with me my entire career. So, stepping into the studio to record A Song For You wasn’t just about covering a classic; it was about honoring Leon, the experiences we shared, and the impact he had on me as an artist and a person.

It felt like I was coming home—to the music, to my roots, and to a moment that connected where I started with where I am now.

• Which part of the song do you feel connects most deeply with listeners today?

I think the part of A Song For You that connects most deeply with listeners today is the honesty in the lyric—especially the lines about singing “this song for you.” There’s something profoundly personal about that sentiment. It’s about laying your heart bare, admitting your flaws, and offering love and gratitude through music. In a world that moves so fast and often feels disconnected, that kind of raw sincerity really cuts through.

When I sing those lines, I feel like I’m speaking directly to someone—not an audience, but an individual. People relate to that vulnerability, that need to express love or regret or appreciation in the most human way possible. That’s what makes this song timeless. It reminds us that no matter how much changes, the desire to connect from the heart never does.

(•)> That's all Folks! Check out Stevie Hawkins on the Pigeon Spins Playlist