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Tramaine Hawkins, a gift and voice we came to know and love in the late ‘60s. Literally born in church in the San Francisco Bay Area as her mother, the late Lois Davis, a gospel singer in her own right left a church concert to give birth to Tramaine
At the ripe age of four Tramaine began singing at the Ephesians Church Of God In Christ in Berkley, CA where her grandfather, the late Bishop E. E. Cleveland was pastor. She has been singing ever since. At ten years of age she recorded her first single, “He’s All Right!” as part of a Gospel group known as the Heavenly Tones. Two years later the group was produced by Gospel legend, the Rev. James Cleveland. At fifteen, the Heavenly Tones accepted an offer to travel with Sly & The Family Stone - all except Tramaine. She chose to continue her education and remain in Gospel, and later to join Andre Crouch and the Disciples! In 1969 upon graduating from Berkeley High School, Tramaine joined the Edwin Hawkins Singers and was a part of the Gospel Music Revolution via the recording of “Oh Happy Day.”
This recording was the first million-selling Gospel single to top the pop charts as well. Additionally, the first “cross over hit” in all cross-sections of the world proving that Gospel has had no boundaries. This also led to Tramaine being able to sing throughout the world with the Hawkins Family.
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Tramaine’s lead vocals on such classics as “Changed,” “Going Up Yonder,” “Holy One,” “The Potter’s House” (the list goes on and on) are absolutely incomparable. Enjoying a successful solo career, Tramaine remains a force to reckon with in the field of Gospel Music and Ministry. Known to be a trailblazer, she’s gone against the grain many times for the sake of catapulting Gospel Music to another level. Before the recent changes we’ve experienced in the ‘90s, Ms. Hawkins was there in the ‘80s with her controversial hit (to the churches), “Fall Down” which became a number one hit on the dance charts (another first of a Gospel record). This gave Ms. Hawkins an opportunity to minister in the clubs which was greatly frowned upon. However she stood tall ministering in the highways and hedges as commanded and was responsible for many new souls in to the Kingdom of God.
“I never left Gospel Music and never will. No matter what I sing, or what the accompaniment/beat is, I always sing about the Lord, about what I believe, about what I live for… I know my heart is in the right place. I will always sing and go where He leads me.”
Now residing in Sacramento, CA with husband Tommie E. Richardson, Jr. her 3 children and 10 grandchildren. Tramaine continues to travel the globe participating in conferences, workshops, revivals, and concerts granting as many interviews and appearances. She has recently re-recorded her single "Goin up Yonder" she did this for Oprah Winfrey for the program Green Leaf. “I Never Lost My Praise” was recorded in Glendale, MD at Reid Temple A.M.E. with and awesome ensemble of musicians and singers before a who’s who of Gospel music which included the late Queen Of Gospel Albertina Walker and the late Bishop Walter Hawkins among others, produced by the electrifying, prolific writer, singer, producer, Kurt Carr and her son, the multi talented Walter “Jamie” Hawkins.
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CONGRATULATIONS to Lady Tramaine Hawkins
on her nominations for the 2008 Stellar Awards in the following categories:
(1) Female Vocalist of the Year
(2) CD of the Year
(3) Traditional Female of the Year
(4) Traditional CD of the Year
(5) Producer of the Year (Kurt Carr)
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Inducted in to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999,
and has received the following awards:
Stellar Icon Award 2020
Doctorate Degree in Preforming Arts
The James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award
2 Grammy Awards
2 Dove Awards
19 Setllar Awards
Gospel Music Hall of Fame Award
Burkley High Scool Hall of Fame
NAACP Image Award
NAACP accommodation Award
Gospel Super Fest Life Time achievement
Aretha Franklin Icon Award 2021
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