
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 4, 1995                   TAG: 9501040101
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES                                LENGTH: Short

TED HAWKINS, BLUESMAN, DIES OF STROKE AT 58

Ted Hawkins, the versatile bluesman whose trademark milk crate served as his seat whether he was playing on a sidewalk or in concert halls around the world, died Sunday following a stroke. He was 58.

His raspy, poignant music, which often crossed into country, gospel and soul, drew high praise.

He had a loyal following in Europe but had only recently begun to enjoy widespread popularity in the United States. He made his major record label debut on Geffen last year with ``The Next Hundred Years.''

Hawkins said his years of singing for spare change at Los Angeles' Venice Beach prepared him for the difficulties of touring.

``Many, many days the wind blew sand down my throat while I'm trying to sing,'' he said in October. ``It comes so fast I don't get a chance to stop. You have to hold the people once you get 'em to pay attention to you.''

by CNB