MusicRowPics: Blackhawk Brings The Harmonies

Blackhawk performs for MusicRow staff.

Blackhawk, one of Country music’s premier harmony groups of the ’90s, has returned with its latest single, “Brothers of the Southland,” the title track from Blackhawk’s first project in 12 years, due out in early July.

Now signed with Loud & Proud Records, Blackhawk’s Henry Paul, Dave Robbins and Randy Threet showcased pitch perfect harmonies on “Brothers of the Southland,” as well as classic Blackhawk singles “Every Once In A While” and “That’s Just About Right” during a performance for MusicRow staff.

The group originally comprised Henry Paul, Van Stephenson and Dave Robbins, and signed with Arista Nashville in 1993. The band’s debut single, “Goodbye Says It All,” reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks, and their self-titled debut album went double platinum. The album’s four additional singles, “I Sure Can Smell The Rain,” “Every Once In A While,” “Down In Flames,” and “That’s Just About Right,” all made the Top 10. The follow-up project, 1995’s Strong Enough, went on to be certified Gold and produced the hit songs “I’m Not Strong Enough To Say No,” and “Like There Ain’t No Yesterday.”

“We were very lucky to be in the right place at the right time,” says lead singer Paul. “Our sound was just left of center, and now, promoting our new single, it reminds me so much of when were started, visiting all of the radio stations across the country.”

In 2001, Stephenson lost his battle with skin cancer. Brothers of the Southland features a few demo songs recorded with Stephenson during the early days of Blackhawk. The first single and title track first appeared on Blackhawk’s 2002 album Spirit Dancer, the first project the group recorded after Stephenson’s death.

The group currently plays approximately 100 dates per year. For more information, visit blackhawklive.com.

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