Offline
Background
Name: Diane
Location:
APOPKA, Florida
United States

Becoming a 'Rock Star' at 53...

 

 

I go to prove that you are never too old to keep trying.   Although I have been writing songs and making music for over 50 years, it has only been in the last year that I have been able to have my dream come true - to record a CD and share my songs.  

As a self taught guitarist, I come from an incredibly talented family - each with our own style, but where the competition is fierce!  I have 5 brothers and 2 half-sisters who have music and comedy running through their veins.  The Hawkins brood of 8 first performed in our living room in what became a weekly family hour gathering.  We were allowed to do ‘anything’ we wanted - when it was our turn.  When it was not your turn, you were to sit and listen quietly to the sibling ‘on stage.’  We are still as respectful today.

I joined the Air Force in 1976, and soon began putting on my own little USO shows, ”entertaining the troops, one dayroom at a time!”  In my last year of duty, I got up enough nerve to enter the Air Force Talent Competition, a precursor to “Tops In Blue.”  I won both the Base level and the Command level in my category and found it thrilling to be good enough to participate.  Participating to me carries just as much warmth in my heart as in winning.  I also had the opportunity to sing with Harry Chapin on stage when he came to Torrejon AB, Spain.  Although I thought no one took pictures of the event, 30 years later, an Air Force buddy of mine just sent me the pictures.  You can see them on my website:  www.cdianehawkins.net, under the BLOG page.

After the Air Force, I found myself settling into the real world, working for corporations doing what I was trained to do in the service: telecommunications, networking, and other geeky computer stuff.  The security of having a ‘real day job’ took away from my desire to pursue doing anything with my music. I stopped writing for over 15 years.  After some life changing events, I found my passion to write songs again.  My style has changed just as my life has.  I am on a more spiritual journey, trying to find a better communion with God, and accepting life as ‘an older person.’  My songs are more reflective and inspirational today.  

Because I was terminated from my ’day job’ and because I am “never too old to keep trying,” I released my debut CD in 2007, entitled, SEASONS OF YOUR LIFE and am kicking off a concert tour, March 30, 2008, at Joy MCC in Orlando, FL.  Future dates are listed on my website:  www.cdianehawkins.net.  You can also listen to tracks from my CD and see what other projects I am doing under media productions.  With the amount of time I have been putting into my new career, I don’t know when I ever had the time to do a real job!

 

OK, so maybe not a Rock Star... Here’s to life after 50!

likumsuduko says:
Keep it up sister...it's never too late to expand on our dreams!
Posted: March 15, 2008 9:28PM EDT
mariug says:
Hi Diane,
I have enjoyed your songs, Congradulation!
Posted: March 13, 2008 9:48PM EDT
Donna920 says:
Congratulations Diane! I wish you the best!
Posted: March 13, 2008 12:03PM EDT
Karean says:
Hi Diane,
I just appreciate your journal entry. It is accounts like yours that inspire the heart. Just keep on keeping on and sharing your journey with us. Sending lots of love through spirit.
Posted: March 12, 2008 1:40PM EDT
tterpy says:
Diane,

Very excited for you. You are pursuing a dream some of us have thought of, but most have not. You have a nice talent and really like the songs. As to your journey, you cannot find a better one than God.

God bless.

PS: Torrejon AB was what I needed back in 1983. I was a very homesick American in Barcelona when invited to spend a couple days in Torrejon AB.
Posted: March 8, 2008 3:33PM EST
Hi Diane,
I listened to your songs on Sounclick this afternoon and really enjoyed them. They are great. You have a wonderful voice. Maybe God Has Freckles Too is really cute. Congratulations on your CD.
Posted: March 8, 2008 2:34PM EST
Add your Comments:

  Submit