Few artists can breathe new life into a classic without losing its soul. On his latest release, A Song For You, award-winning vocalist, drummer, and songwriter Stevie Hawkins achieves just that. His interpretation of Leon Russell’s iconic ballad is both reverent and refreshingly personal — a heartfelt tribute shaped by a lifetime of musical mastery and emotional truth. Released on September 15, 2025, via Emphasis Records, this recording sees Hawkins channel the spirit of Russell through the lens of his own lived experience.
Hawkins, a 2024 International Blues Hall of Fame “Legendary Blues Artist” inductee, has shared the stage with greats such as Gregg Allman, Albert King, Leon Russell, Percy Sledge, and Glen Campbell. With a career spanning blues, jazz, soul, country, and rock, his versatility and authenticity have made him one of contemporary music’s most soulful storytellers. On A Song For You, that legacy takes center stage. Supported by bassist Rusty Holloway, pianist Levi Adelman, and the Loudermilk Chambers Ensemble, the song unfolds like an intimate confession — elegant, powerful, and profoundly human.
Apricot Magazine sat down with Stevie Hawkins to discuss the story behind A Song For You, his personal connection to Leon Russell, and the emotional honesty that continues to define his artistry.
Interview with Stevie Hawkins
Stevie: You know, A Song For You has always resonated with me on a really deep level. It’s one of those songs that just stays with you through the years. I didn’t plan to record it—it kind of found me. There was this moment in May of 2025 where it just felt right, like life was nudging me to finally give my own voice to it. The lyrics really capture what it means to be an artist, to love, to live, to be vulnerable, to be humble, and to bare your soul through music.
Leon Russell had an unequivocal influence on me, both musically and personally. I was fortunate enough to play drums for him on tour back in the ’70s and again in the ’80s, and being around him, you couldn’t miss how genuine he was—every note he played and sang came straight from the heart, from the depths of his soul. That experience stuck with me.
When I stepped into the studio, I wasn’t trying to recreate Leon’s version—I wanted to honor his spirit and give the song my own emotional truth.
Stevie: Yeah, it really is a full-circle moment. I was just 18 when I first played drums for Leon—he was 32—and those years shaped me in ways I’m still discovering today. Playing drums for Leon was such a powerful experience. To be that young and to be around someone like him—so authentic, so talented, so emotionally open—left a lasting mark on me. Being onstage with him, I got to see and experience what true artistry looks like up close and personal. He didn’t just perform songs; he lived them. He came from a real place, and that taught me what it truly means to connect with an audience.
I learned that it’s not just about playing and singing the notes—it’s about feeling them, living them, and connecting with people through honesty—that if you’re not bringing your heart to it, people will know. So when I went in to record A Song For You, I carried that lesson with me. It wasn’t about trying to recreate what he did, but about honoring the emotion and truth he inspired in me both musically and spiritually all those years ago.
Stevie: For me, this song goes way beyond just doing a cover. A Song For You is such an emotional piece—it’s about love, forgiveness, gratitude, and all those things that come with really living life. When I went into the studio, I wanted to bring all of that with me—the experiences, the highs and lows, and the people who’ve shaped my journey.
I let my heart lead the performance and didn’t worry about perfection—because perfection isn’t human. I wanted it to feel honest, like a real conversation with the listener, and to let the song breathe and speak for itself. And instrumentally, I approached it the same way—letting the music breathe, giving space for the emotion to come through with no concerns about perfection. It was less about performance and more about being fully present in the moment and letting the song speak through me.
Stevie: Oh, they were incredible. Rusty, Levi, and the Loudermilk Chambers Ensemble really helped bring the song to life in such a beautiful way. Each of them brought their own emotion and artistry to it, and that energy lifted the whole track.
Rusty’s an old friend from Knoxville, Tennessee, and an incredible bassist who’s played with legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Woody Herman, Liza Minnelli, and Stan Getz. The core of this track is a trio: piano, bass, and drums. Rusty has had decades of experience playing in world-class jazz trios and fully comprehends the realms of being an accompanist. His playing brought beautiful melodic depth, warmth, and groove to the track.
Levi’s piano added tremendous heart and space, creating a canvas where I could really paint the vocal picture, while Loudermilk’s ensemble of strings and horns wrapped everything in emotion. It really felt like everyone was completely connected to the spirit of the song—not just playing their parts, but helping tell the story alongside me. That kind of chemistry is rare and helped to make this recording so special.
Stevie: Playing across blues, soul, rock, country, and jazz—and sharing stages with legends like Chuck Berry and Gregg Allman—taught me that every genre tells stories in its own way. That openness shaped how I approach phrasing, tone, and emotion. With A Song For You, those experiences helped me find the balance between honoring the classic and making it my own. With A Song For You, that diversity allowed me to approach it with an open palette. I could draw on all those experiences to find the right phrasing, the right tone, and the subtle nuances that make the song feel alive and personal.
Stevie: (Chuckles) I’ve been wearing all of those hats my entire career, and then some! Wearing all those hats—performer, producer, engineer—let me shape every detail and make the song feel deeply personal. It’s a balancing act, but it makes the final sound more honest, because every note comes straight from the same emotional source.
Stevie: Honestly, I feel very fortunate to have had the experiences I’ve had, and I’m grateful for any recognition along the way. But at the heart of it, I’m just a musician, a creator who loves exploring and telling stories and having conversations through music. Inspiration comes from life itself—people you meet, experiences you go through, and even the songs you’ve always loved.
I stay curious and open to whatever life brings. I challenge myself to step into new creative spaces—or revisit my old songs from a fresh perspective. The world and the people in it are endless sources of inspiration, and every project is an opportunity to grow and connect more deeply with listeners. That keeps it exciting for me, no matter how long I’ve been making music.
Stevie: For me, the first thing was really listening to the song and letting it speak to me on a personal level. I didn’t want to imitate the classic version—I wanted to honor its heart and emotion while bringing in the musical experiences I’ve gathered over the years in blues, jazz, soul, and gospel.
Balancing that meant trusting my instincts and letting the spirit of the music guide my voice. Some moments called for restraint, some for letting the emotion swell, and some for adding little touches that reflect my own voice. In the end, it was about serving the song’s truth first, while allowing my own story and perspective to naturally shine through.
Stevie: What moves me most listening back is how perfectly the song mirrors my emotions for my life’s partner, Charlotte. Every note and every word seems to echo our journey—the love, the challenges, the time spent apart, those nights onstage or on a tour bus missing home, and the deep, intuitive connection we share. It makes listening to it an incredibly personal and emotional experience—one that still brings tears to my eyes.
Stevie: Looking ahead, I’m excited about what’s next. There aren’t any covers on the horizon—I’ve only recorded one other cover in the studio, Georgia On My Mind—I have a love and soft spot for the old standards—and right now, I’m fully focused on original music. I’ve got a new blues single coming in December, followed by a blues and soul EP/album early next year. I’m also looking at forming a blues-rock trio to explore new ways of storytelling through music.
Timeless musicianship is always the goal—and surrounding myself with next-level players pushes me to bring my best creatively, vocally, and behind the drums. It’s all about growth, connection, and keeping the music soulful, emotional, and alive. All of these projects are really about growth, exploration, and connection—pushing myself as an artist while creating music that resonates deeply with listeners. I want every note, every lyric, and every performance to carry honesty, emotion, and that timeless quality that draws people in. It’s an exciting time, and I can’t wait to share this next chapter of music with everyone.
Closing Thoughts
With A Song For You, Stevie Hawkins delivers more than a cover — he delivers a love letter to music itself. His voice carries the weight of decades, of roads traveled and lessons learned, yet remains fresh and alive with purpose. It’s an homage to Leon Russell, yes, but also a reminder that great music lives through those who pour their hearts into it. Hawkins’ version of A Song For You is as timeless as it is personal — a performance that speaks not just to the listener’s ears, but to the soul.
