A Tribute To Mark Hodgson

 

 

I am taking a break from writing about my New York experience so that homage can be paid to a man who deserves a moment of Praise, on this, his 60^th Birthday.

Upon this momentous occasion, when it is easy to look back, I believe looking forward is what Mark Hodgson does on a daily basis.  He looks forward to music he has yet to create and perform and he looks toward providing a future for those he loves and holds dear.  Though he is often in the literal spotlight, it is rare that he enjoys the attention when He is the subject of the praise, rather than his music.

Mark is very successful in the world of music.  His talent is known far and wide and he has a great many fans.  But perhaps what is not known about Mark is his generosity. 

When the telephone rings with the offer of a gig, Mark immediately ups the ante so he can get his fellow musicians on the bill with him.  It’s not easy being a fulltime musician and Mark feels personally responsible to share the work when it comes with his friends so they might have a pay day as well. 

But the pay day is not only a check.  It is working with a professional who raises the bar of music to a level that the others on stage rise up to. 

How many times in a busy crowd have I heard them fall silent while listening to Mark as he performs Sunday Morning Coming Down or the band at full tilt boogie on Starless Night or She Can’t Be Loved.   

I have heard Mark sing the praises of Danny, or Bryan or Joe, Chris, Geoff, Michael, Billy, Victor, Ernie, Robert, Mark, Ronnie, and I’m sorry to those whose names I cannot bring to memory, but he sings your praises when the music moves beyond what was written and everyone comes together to create a bigger whole, a symphony, for lack of a better term.   

I think Mark is the catalyst for that musical coming together.  He loves the music to such a degree that it gets even better when he gives his very talented friends the stage so they can do what they do best.  The band gives the familiar tune a new dimension which leaves the audience wanting more and more. 

So HAPPY 60^th BIRTHDAY MARK HODGSON!!  

We want many more!!  May you move into this next phase with JOY and with the knowledge that there are few artists who have shared their gifts with the intensity and dedication that you have.  We are all the richer because of it.  

 Me most of all.  

With Much Love, Karen 

The featured recording is from the album Wednesday Night at the Boot, which was recorded over a period time at the Boot Hill Saloon in Daytona Beach.  I chose it because of Mark’s vocal quality and the energy is just great fun.  Noble “Thin Man” Watts is in fine form as are, Joe King on Guitar, Danny Walters on Bass, and the Drummers, Mark Rolfe, Michael Welch and Ronnie “Byrd” Foster. 

 

The Photograph and composite art is the creation of Tom Bird of T-Bird Photography.

 

Thanks Everyone!