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donna hopkins band

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Hometown	atlanta, GA
Genres
Band Members	donna hopkins guitar vocals,mike hurwitz bass,vocals,... » more
Achievements	» more
Upcoming Shows	None

Contact Information:
# Years Experience Performing Live:	7
Market Draw:	Home Market: 76-100
Performing Rights Society:	N/A

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About the Artist

Donna Hopkins was only 14, growing up in Arab (pronounced AIR-rab), Alabama, when she began sneaking out of the house to play guitar in bars in nearby Huntsville and Muscle Shoals. It wasn't long before Donna left home for good, relocating to Birmingham and later to Nashville. She then spent eight years on the road, for much of that time traveling in the Dakotas, Montana and in Las Vegas, before settling in Atlanta 14 years ago.

If age 14 seems a bit young to make a commitment to a career and a lifestyle, consider that Donna, whose blues band performs all over, has music in her blood, dating back three generations.

"My great grandfather, my grandfather and my mother were all musicians," Donna recalls. "My grandfather, Tip Barbee, played bluegrass and blues kind of stuff. I remember going to hear him play on Saturday nights."

Donna also remembers her mother playing guitar and organ, back in the late '60s and early '70s, clad in mini skirt and go-go boots.

Donna hasn't forgotten her musical roots. She's recently released a solo album titled Free To Go ("the one I've been waiting for," she says), and her grandfather, who still lives in Alabama, plays on one cut. Donna also is keeping up the family tradition, reporting with no small measure of pride that her 6-year-old daughter, India, is a budding singer and actress who won a scholarship to an acting school. India also makes an appearance on Donna's album, sharing vocals with her mom on "Everything Money Can't Buy," a cut selected by Atlanta Magazine for the first annual Atlanta Artist compilation CD.

Donna has continued her own tradition of gigs and travel. She also appears frequently around the Southeast with the Women of Rock, an acoustic songwriter-in-the-round performance that also features Caroline Aiken and Diane Durrette.

Hard rock n roots trio. Playing a blues rock mix of original music the show never disappoints.Band consists of Donna Hopkins lead guitar and vocals,mike hurwitz bass and vocals,and Richie Jones drums and vocals.Richie calls the band Government Hopkins because of the energy and sound they put out on stage.I compare Donna's guitar playing to Duane Allman or Derek Trucks and her singing to Bonnie Raitt.Truly a band ready for stardom

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Achievements

Blues Winner, December 2014

Blues Winner, November 2014

Blues Winner, April 2012

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Press Coverage

blues review by hal horowitz
“The Donna Hopkins Band is the very essence of what we had in mind when we formed Dynasonic,” says Chip Stewart of Dynasonic. “We are very excited about Donna – her music deserves the largest audience possible. What we do is enable musicians to efficiently distribute their music using new technology. Many bands never get signed because of the ‘bottom line’ mentality of the music industry. We believe that a great deal of the very best music is never heard due to this fact alone.” The Donna Hopkins Band is Donna on vocals and guitar, Richie Jones on drums, and Brian Ashley Jones on bass. Donna has been performing professionally since age 14 and this band has the sound she has been searching for all her life. “I'm really happy at the response my CD has gotten, both with critics and with fans,” she says. “It's great to get good reviews, but even better to sell out all my stock at a music festival. This live CD from Smith’s will capture my sound as it is meant to be heard – and all my fans will want to be there when it is recorded!” About Dynasonic Dynasonic helps established musicians, who are without a label, record, promote and distribute both existing material and live sessions. Dynasonic.com then provides these musicians with an online marketplace where their fans can find these works and discover new recordings from other great artists. Because Dynasonic only works with professional musicians, fans are assured of finding quality live music that isn’t available anywhere else. Contact : Chip Stewart - Dynasonic | Phone: 770-984-8104 | Email: pr@dynasonic.com. About The Donna Hopkins Band The Donna Hopkins Band is exploding on the Atlanta music scene. Donna and her band mates have attained a special kind of synergy that so many strive for – it is this level of communication that makes them stand out. Their debut album, Free To Go, received glowing reviews such as: “one gritty, sizzling debut that’ll play well to all kinds of roots-oriented listeners,” Tom Clarke, King Biscuit Times; and “Southern-fried soul. It’s a rare commodity that can’t be bought, traded, created, or faked. … a rough-hewn but beautifully produced set of predominantly original tunes that could only have been conceived by someone who breathes the humid Georgia air; you can practically see the kudzu, smell the grits, and taste the tangy barbecue in the songs,” Blues Review, Hal Horowitz.

georgia music magazine by cd review
If you're familiar with the Donna Hopkins Band through live performances or her 2003 debut CD, Free to Go, then you already know she's worthy of attention. Otherwise, her Dynasonic CD release Live is a fine introduction. Hopkins is legit: She's Alabama-bred, farm-raised in hard times. Her mom performed in rock bands in mini-skirts and go-go boots. Her grandfather's music was a tremendous inspiration. Now in her early 40s, Hopkins has matured into a genuine triple threat as songwriter, singer and guitarist. As a songwriter (she wrote or co-wrote all 11 tracks), Hopkins seasons swampy, Gulf Coast funkiness with angular voicings of extended and suspended chords. Listen for examples on "In Spite of Yourself" or "Don't Ask Why." It's classic tension-and-release with a groove, and with lyrics revealing mileage, honesty and soul. It's survival music you can dance to. The grooves come courtesy of bassist Brian Ashley Jones and drummer Richie Jones, who are in the pocket throughout and who also add convincing harmony and backing vocals. As a singer, Hopkins has a big, distinctive voice that effectively communicates varied emotions. The acoustic "Everything Money Can Buy," for example, puts you on the front porch on a summer evening, right about dinnertime. As a guitarist, Hopkins can be at turns raw and articulate. She's her own woman, but think equal parts John Lee Hooker and Billy Gibbons, with a dash of Jimmie Vaughan and Robin Trower circa Bridge of Sighs. The bottom line: Live sounds great, thanks to Dynasonic Mobile, and is a well-focused snapshot of an artist who has plenty of talent and the courage to be herself.

hittin the note by donna hopkins cd
Donna Hopkins is a force of nature. Long a part of the Atlanta music scene, the Donna Hopkins Band is poised to break out with their second album, Donna Hopkins Band – Live. Donna’s music comes straight from her heart – southern roots music from a woman’s point of view. Selected as Atlanta’s Best Blues Artist in 2002 by Atlanta Magazine, Donna has assembled a trio of kindred spirits for this amazing band. With Donna on guitar, Richie Jones on drums, and Brian Ashley Jones (no relation) on bass, the Donna Hopkins Band has truly solidified. Released to critical raves in February 2003, Donna’s first album, Free To Go, attracted a legion of fans to the Donna Hopkins Band. Alert listeners will discover a live, hidden bonus track on Free To Go at the very end of the CD, a soulful version of the old blues standard, “Time To Travel.” Noting the joy of her live performance, Hittin’ the Note reviewer Rob Johnson remarked, “Donna sings with unrestrained roadhouse soul and lays down a great slide solo as beer glasses clink in the background.” The excitement of this live performance carries over to the new live record.

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