“How many love me that’s in the building tonight?”

Sister Hazel Williams asks of the congregation gathered at the Williams Temple Church of God in Christ.

A chorus of amens and applause give her the answer. The church is filled with people who came to honor her before she heads off on a mission to Africa. In light of such praise, it’s no wonder Sister Hazel is the inspiration for the Gainesville band named after her.

But it’s nothing compared to the 34 years Sister Hazel has dedicated to creating an entire system of giving back to the community. And it’s for this reason that the Gainesville band takes its name from the selfless sister.

Front man Ken Block grew up watching Sister Hazel open up her house to anyone in need. Block recalls asking his mom if the people she helps pay her, and his mom answering no, she does it for free.

“Even as a kid that struck me as something very cool,” he says.“She gives regardless of your race or religion or anything. She has this spirit of unconditional regard for anybody.”

When it came time to name his band, Ken considered what message he wanted the band to project. Sister Hazel personified that message.

Ken admits he never met Sister Hazel, so when he named the band after her he didn’t even know if she still lived in Gainesville. The answer came shortly after the release the band’s self-titled debut CD.

Sister Hazel remembers seeing her name on billboards and signs. She found out about the band and called them.

Go to SisterHazel.com to listen to audio files, watch video clips, chat with other fans and learn more information about the band.

“I asked, ‘Is this the Sister Hazel band?’” she says. “They said, ‘Yes it is.’ And I said, ‘Well who is this Sister Hazel because that’s my name.’”

“The things they said about me in that phone conversation brought tears to my eyes. They were very kind to me, so I told them to keep their noses clean, and they can keep the name.”

Since that conversation, the relationship between the band and their namesake has grown. The band first met Sister Hazel at a Shoney’s restaurant and afterward, with their families, went to her church.

Story by Erica Knobblock
Photo by Claudia Katz

Produced by Christie Kulavich and Michelle Villamar