Biography

Austin songwriter Chuck Hawthorne releases the follow up to his critically acclaimed 2015 debut, Silver Line...the long awaited full length album, Fire Out Of Stone. Stories of Hawthorne’s military career and his chance meeting with Silver Line producer Ray Bonneville may have originally drawn listeners to his music, but songwriting enthusiasts worldwide soon recognized the strength of the songs and voice of Chuck Hawthorne. Since his emergence in the songwriting world, Chuck has toured non-stop in the US and Europe. Along the way, he has built a loyal fan base and a reputation as a “songwriter’s songwriter.”

For his sophomore album, Hawthorne turned to Texas songwriting stalwart Walt Wilkins to produce alongside Jumping Dog Studio owner Ron Flynt. Fire Out Of Stone explores themes of transformative survival and healing, which Hawthorne discovered upon receipt of a gift from an Old Friend.

In Chuck’s words:

“I’d purposely let a package that had been delivered to the house sit unopened on my workbench for quite some time. I knew the contents. Edith Dobson had thoughtfully sent her late husband’s final album to me from Switzerland. It wasn’t an album I wanted playing in the background as I shuffled around the shop; it deserved a genuine listen with a full spirit. Late one night, after all our houseguests made it to bed, I put Richard Dobson’s last record on and discovered the song, I Will Fight No More Forever. I probably listened to it 20 times that night. The next day, I realized Dobson had gifted me the theme of my next album. I started looking into my back catalog selecting songs about survival, transition, and moving on - crucible songs - making Fire Out Of Stone. It turns out I had quite a few to pick from.”

From the upbeat recounting of a biker’s last ride (Such Is Life) to the somber reflection of a veteran (New Lost Generation), Hawthorne and crew deliver poignant, timeless songs with impeccable production and performances. Other standouts include Chuck’s rendition of Dobson’s Chief Joseph inspired epic, I Will Fight No More Forever, and the heart wrenching tale of love and death in West Texas, Amarillo Wind. Intensely personal and unflinchingly honest, Fire Out Of Stone is an essential record for all fans of the American songwriting tradition.