Jeff Hawes Joins Karen Peck & New River
- Karen Peck & New River
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Dahlonega, GA - Karen Peck Gooch, of Karen Peck & New River, has announced the addition of Jeff Hawes to the group's vocal line-up.
"Susan and I are very excited to have Jeff as part of our group," says Karen. "Jeff is an anointed singer and we feel that God has great plans for this young man. We hope everyone who attends our concerts will take the time to meet Jeff."
Jeff Hawes is a native of Flat Rock, Alabama. He has previously been teaching English for the Jackson County School District, most recently teaching 12th grade English at Pisgah High School.
Jeff began singing on stage around the age of five years old and has always wanted to touch people's lives through song, but it was after his tenure at Troy University that Jeff's "gospel dream" became a reality.
In 2008, Jeff auditioned with hundreds of hopeful gospel singers for a chance to be on the Gospel Music Channel's hit reality show Gospel Dream. Jeff was one of three chosen to represent Atlanta when the show was taped in Nashville. The show aired in June 2008, and after making it through two extremely tough rounds of competition, Jeff made the top 12 in the nation.
After his time on Gospel Dream, Jeff went on to compete in Orlando, Fla., for the AMTC (Actors, Models, and Talent) Competition in which Jeff was chosen for their highly esteemed Talent Show. Jeff performed in front of top producers and agents from across the world. While at the competition, Jeff was asked to travel with Stained Glass Marriage Ministries from Birmingham, Ala., in which he played keyboard and led worship for their Praise and Worship Team.
Jeff also was hand chosen by Jeremi Richardson of the contemporary group Avalon to sing with the Cleveland Carolers during the 2008 Christmas season.
In March of 2009, Jeff competed in the annual Aaron Wilburn Talent Search at Hoofers Gospel Barn in LaGrange, Ga., where Jeff won 1st place in the Contemporary Christian Division. Wilburn was a huge supporter of Hawes and allowed him to open for one of his shows in Alabama.
As a result of winning in LaGrange, Jeff advanced to the National Quartet Convention Talent Search in Louisville, Kentucky where he placed in the Top 10.
Jeff has a true desire to minister to the lost. "My goal is to magnify the name of Jesus and give all honor, praise and glory to His name," says Jeff. "I'm thrilled to even be singing on the same stage with Karen Peck & New River, and I'm greatly humbled and excited to be their newest addition. I cannot thank Karen and Susan enough for having the confidence in me and the faith in God to give me this chance of a lifetime.
"Throughout the audition process, I've stuck by my favorite scripture of Proverbs 3:6: 'In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.'"
