Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz
American husband-and-wife folk duo of traditional bluegrass, gospel, and old time music.
Ginny Hawker (born April 22, 1940) and Tracy Schwarz (born November 13, 1938) are an American married couple who perform together as a folk music duo. Their repertoire focuses on traditional early American styles, including bluegrass, gospel, and old-time music, though they sometimes include original compositions and songs by contemporary writers. Hawker still resides in Tanner, West Virginia. Schwarz is also a member of the New Lost City Ramblers—alongside John Cohen and Mike Seeger—and the Strange Creek Singers, whose other members included Alice Gerrard, Hazel Dickens, and Lamar Grier.
- born
- Ginny Hawker: April 22, 1940; Tracy Schwarz: November 13, 1938
- died
- Tracy Schwarz: Still alive as of 2024
- field
- Folk music, bluegrass, gospel, old time music
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Husband-and-wife duo performing traditional American music; Tracy Schwarz's membership in New Lost City Ramblers and Strange Creek Singers
Lore & Background
Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz formed a musical duo after marrying, focusing on traditional American music from the early canon of bluegrass, gospel, and old time music. They occasionally recorded original songs and works by contemporary songwriters. Hawker continues to live in the small village of Tanner, West Virginia.
Tracy Schwarz was a member of the New Lost City Ramblers, alongside John Cohen and Mike Seeger, and also played in the Strange Creek Singers with Mike Seeger, Alice Gerrard, Hazel Dickens, and Lamar Grier.
The duo released albums including Draw Closer (2005, Rounder Select) and Good Songs for Hard Times (2000, Copper Creek). Hawker also recorded solo and collaborative albums such as Letters from my Father (2002, Rounder Select) and Heart of a Singer (1999, Rounder Select) with Hazel Dickens and Carol Elizabeth Jones.
Reader's Guide
Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz represent a dedicated continuation of early American folk traditions, particularly bluegrass, gospel, and old time music. Their work, both as a duo and in their individual projects, helped preserve and transmit the sounds of Appalachian and rural American music to later generations. Tracy Schwarz's involvement with the influential New Lost City Ramblers and Strange Creek Singers placed him at the center of the 1960s and 1970s folk revival, while Hawker's collaborations with artists like Kay Justice and Hazel Dickens underscored her role in the women's old-time music scene. Their recordings, often featuring notable sidemen such as Ron Stewart, Dirk Powell, and Mike Seeger, remain reference points for traditional music enthusiasts. The duo's significance lies in their steadfast commitment to the repertoire and performance styles of early American music, even as they occasionally incorporated original material. Their legacy is carried forward by Hawker's continued residence in West Virginia and the extensive discography they left behind.
Did You Know?
- Tracy Schwarz was a member of the New Lost City Ramblers and the Strange Creek Singers.
- Ginny Hawker continues to live in the small village of Tanner, West Virginia.
- The duo's album Draw Closer (2005) was produced by Dirk Powell and featured Ron Stewart, Peter Schwarz, and Kari Sickenberger.
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