Walter Hawkins first recording debut came when he sang in the Ephesians Church of God in Christ's youth choir an album titled, "Let Us Go Into The House of the Lord," in 1968. One of the songs from that album, "Oh, Happy Day," became a pop hit the following year, selling over a million copies. In the next few years, the Edwin Hawkins Singers toured nationally and internationally before Walter set out on his own. Hawkins returned to Ephesians with his Love Center Choir and recorded a live album, Going Up Yonder, rode the gospel charts for months in 1975 and became a mainstay on Billboard's Gospel top 40 chart for three consecutive years, making it one of the decade's biggest selling gospel albums.
Additionally, much success followed Walters Hawkins with each of his subsequent "Love Alive 1-4" albums. In 1978 Hawkins released Love Alive II which was nominated for a Grammy Award, and garnered awards from Billboard, Record World, and Cash Box Music Trade Publications. It sold 290,000 copies, and won two Dove Awards from the gospel Music Association. It wasn't until 1985 that Love Alive III was finished. It earned a Dove Award nomination and sold more than a million copies. Four years later came Love Alive IV, which was nominated for a Grammy and remained on top of Billboard's Gospel chart for more than 38 weeks.
When looking back at his musical endeavors, Hawkins understands their place in his ministry. "Early on I thought my ministry and my music were apart from each other. But now I see they work hand-in-hand," he observes. "The purpose of both is getting the message out to people. I've had some material blessings and it's okay to have them, but to be blessed with peace of mind and joy in your life, that's when you will be truly fulfilled."
