With an extensive and varied body of work, Ralph Hawkins, Jr. is a prolific musician/producer with an unparalleled love of music. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ralph’s fondest childhood memories include watching his aunts’ and uncles’ singing groups. Surrounded by the musical talent of family, He naturally gravitated to instruments and at the age of five he began taking piano lessons from his uncle, a church choir director. 

 

Ralph continued to study piano under the supervision of pianist Kevin Toney, original member of the Grammy nominated group The Blackbyrds. With a solid musical foundation, Ralph enthusiastically joined his first band at 15 years old playing the keyboards and singing vocals. The band covered Top 40 hits and their love of music led them to perform at a number of venues throughout D.C., big and small. With each performance, Ralph expanded his musical repertoire and began to write his own songs.

 

After years of playing music in front of crowds, he turned to radio and became the Musical Director for WOL radio in D.C.  While he remained steeped in music, Ralph missed the excitement of playing keyboards, singing, making music and collaborating with other musicians. An opportunity arose to go on tour and play keyboards with funk & soul band "The Reddings", founded by Otis Redding’s sons, and he once again felt the love of music as he had when he was 5 years old- playing keyboards and singing.  Ralph’s love of the live music scene was honest and easily noticeable to other musicians. It was this natural fit and musical gifts that led him to become the youngest Musical Director for Grammy award winning duo "Peaches and Herb". 

 

His reputation as a musical professional with the natural ability to understand what musicians and fans alike crave, led him to hold other Musical Director roles with award winning artists such as "Johnny Gill", "New Edition", "USHER", and "TLC", and has played and sang alongside talents the likes of "Shanice Wilson" and "Gerald Levert". Ralph not only plays, sings, and produces good music, he writes and creates it.  You can find his songwriting talents on the records of legendary artists, such as "The Whispers", "EarthWind & Fire", and recently "Eddie Murphy".  His genre-crossing skills have led him to work with some of the greatest artist and producers in the industry, including "David Foster".

 

You have undoubtedly heard Ralph playing keyboards, singing, or even heard one of the songs he has authored, you just don’t know it. A musical triple threat, his original compositions have been included in films, television and radio. Ralph also brought a musical element to comedy, working on several projects with comedian "J. Anthony Brown's", (Murder the hits) "Sinbad" and "Cedric the Entertainer".  Ralph is not only a creator of music, he is the ultimate fan.

 

On his latest project, he has finally turned the musical camera onto himself as an artist, and creates an auditory sensation.  “The Right Time,” an original song, is stirring the Internet & iTunes scene. Once again we hear his musical gifts, as he plays instruments, produces, and for the first time ever, sings lead vocals on this hot duet single.  "BG. Womack", of "The Womack Sisters", granddaughter of  Legendary "Sam Cooke", is featured on the track. With this masterful creation, Ralph shares a new side of himself with listeners. It simply is, “The Right Time.”