Charles Edward Hodges is known as one of the most talented organists in the world and one who has performed with legendary award-winning artists like O. V. Wright, Willie Mitchell, Al Green, and many other wellknown entertainers.
Hodges began his musical journey at age eleven when he discovered he wanted to be a musician—following in his grandfather and father’s footsteps. Guided by inspiration and passion, he taught himself how to play the piano, organ (Hammond B3), melodeon, and keyboard.
Early on, Hodges realized that in order to be successful, he had to do something different. In developing his skills, he worked to create his own sound—a sound that could last forever and a sound he could pass on to future generations.
Along the way, Hodges learned music is a universal language and a common thread that brings people together, tells stories, lifts the spirit, and relieves stress through the ingredients in the song, such as melody, rhythm, harmony, lyrics and magic in the air.
His desire was to play soul music because it was the type of music he felt comfortable doing. And the type of music that’s felt from within, serve as an emotional outlet to express feelings, could be done spontaneously, and could be fed by energy and imagination. Hodges sought to create a mechanism by which he could do something amazing.
Hodges, along with his brothers and the guidance of Willie Mitchell, formed the band, Hi Rhythm, a.k.a. Hi Rhythm Section, while under the umbrella of the Hi Records label. Charles Hodges, a member of the band, was heralded as one of the principal musicians who helped to create the sound of soul music that originated from Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1960s and ’70s. The band helped define the sounds of the classic Memphis soul music genre.
Life for Hodges took a detour when drug addiction took over his life. The addiction was a vicious struggle that caused him to lose everything, including his interest in playing music for a while. After years of drug use, he succeeded in freeing himself from the prison he found himself in. He returned to doing what he loved most—playing music and entertaining people. He admits this was a period of lost opportunity.
Taking stock of some fifty years after beginning his journey of playing music to entertain people, Charles E. Hodges evaluated his life and was able to reconcile with its many different parts and said, “It got to a point where I had to discover who I was, because I was lost.” God sent him a message, telling him it was time to change his ways. Obeying, Hodges stepped away from secular music for a short time. He stopped what he was doing and gave God his whole life and learned how to live. Hodges was called to preach and is now an ordained minister. His life has come full circle.
This true story will take readers on the compelling journey of a person who realized early on what he wanted to do in life and what it took to get to where he is today.
