Tramaine Hawkins (born Tramaine Aunzola Davis on October 11, 1951) is an American gospel music singer. She has won two Grammy Awards, two Doves, and 19 Stellar Awards.
Hawkins was born in San Francisco, California to the late Roland and Lois (Cleveland) Davis. She grew up in the Ephesians Church of God in Christ located in Berkeley, California, pastored by her grandfather, the late Bishop E.E. Cleveland. While still in high school, Hawkins and her friends, Mary McCreary, Elva Mouton, and Vet Stone, had a gospel group called The Heavenly Tones that performed at various venues around the Oakland and San Francisco areas. In 1966 they recorded the album “I Love the Lord” for the Gospel label, part of Savoy Records, and a 45 for the Music City label called “He’s Alright”. When Vet Stone’s older brother Sylvester, better known as Sly Stone, formed Sly & the Family Stone with their brother Freddie and friends Larry Graham, Cynthia Robinson, Jerry Martini, and Greg Errico, The Heavenly Tones were recruited directly out of high school to become Little Sister (band), Sly & the Family Stone’s background vocalists for their recording. Tramaine left the group to focus solely on recording and singing Gospel Music. At the age of 17, she sang on The Edwin Hawkins Singers Choir’s single “Oh Happy Day”. With her distinctive soprano and extensive vocal range, she became better known as a featured soloist with late husband Walter Hawkins’ Love Center Choir as well as The Hawkins Family.
Following her triumphant comeback, she became one of the first gospel artists to sign with Columbia Records when she released To A Higher Place in 1994. Following this album’s release, Tramaine took an extended hiatus from recording, The songs Amazing Grace, Who’s Gonna Carry You, I Found The Answer and Touch Me were produced by Marty Paich and David Paich.
Tramaine Hawkins (born Tramaine Aunzola Davis on October 11, 1951) is an American gospel music singer. She has won two Grammy Awards, two Doves, and 19 Stellar Awards.