Mark "Muddy Harp" Hodgson

Born in Detroit, grew up in Daytona Beach, Mark 'muddyharp' Hodgson, started listening to the music through the influence of the British Invasion. John Mayall and the Rolling Stones provided the LP’S that would turn the 12 year old on to the wonderful world of the 12 bar blues.

One day at a friend's house in Daytona Beach, while his buddies were surfing, the youngster noticed a harmonica lying on the kitchen counter. He went over and picked it up. He blew into it and from then on he was hooked. The friend gave the 'HARP' to him. This simple introduction would prove to be a turning point in the lad’s life. He devoured everything he could find on the subject of the Blues sometimes walking 10 miles just to go to a record shop that was rumored to carry all the 78's and 45's available at the time. Discs by Muddy Waters, Howlin’Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter and Sonny Terry would more than satisfy the new found hunger. As the days grew into months and the months became years, Mark 'muddharp'Hodgson, became a band leader. The night club scene in Florida was strong in the 70's and 80's and would become a proving ground for the Budding Bluesman.

The first recording that was released under Hodgsons’ name was a vinyl LP titled ‘Mark Hodgson and The Rootie Tootie Band ‘SURVIVAL IN A TOURIST TOWN’. This was a live recording and put the group on the map. Soon the boys would travel to Nashville to record demos for Gary Lamb productions. The music was ahead of its time incorporating rock and reggae with the blues, in 1981 this was a bit much for the Nashville crowd, tuned into the likes of groups like ALABAMA. Hodgson was asked to stay on in Nashville to become a solo artist but declined out of loyalty to his friends in the band.

The years flew by and so did the members of the group. There were more recordings, concerts, nightclubs, videos, and heartaches. Through it all, Hodgson remained entrenched in the Blues and kept writing and performing. In 1985, Hodgson once again tried the Nashville game. Tony Joe White, the composer of Mega Hits, Polk Salad Annie and Rainy Night in Georgia, among others, signed Hodgson to a publishing contract. During this period Hodgson became involved with the Memphis Blues Foundation and placed 1st runner up in the National Blues Talent Search. Many notables were introduced to Hodgson at the time, which led Bob Greenlee of King Snake records to go National with his fledging Blues label based in Sanford, Florida. Hodgson was responsible for placing The Return of the Thin Man, The comeback recording of the late Tenor Saxophonist, Noble Watts, on the W.C.Handy Awards, 1985 ballot for best recording. The partnership of Mark’muddyharp’Hodgson and Noble ‘thin man’ Watts lasted almost 20 years. When Noble passed in 2004, Hodgson went solo.

In 2005, Hodgson started a scholarship fund, with the Daytona Beach Community College, in the names of Bob Greenlee and Noble Watts. The Florida Blues All-stars were formed by Hodgson to commemorate the music of his two late friends. This yearly event is held each February at the Mike Curb Center in Daytona Beach.

Mark is currently working at The Garlic in New Smyrna Beach Wed-Sat 6pm,

People are talking about.... MARK 'MUDDYHARP' HODGSON
. . .The best harmonica I've heard - Jeff Healy-MCA Records
. . .You got your own guitar style, man - Buddy Guy-Silvertone Records
. . .You play likes you were born to it - Junior Wells
. . .So blistering is Hodgson's harmonica, it would turn the heads of Nashville Folk & heavy metal kids - Rick De Yampert-The Tennessean
. . .Hodgson is probably the best blues player in Florida. On "Xpress Train," his harmonica blaze would make John Popper jealous
      Dennis Walkling-Jam Magazine
. . . Our Sun Is Gonna Shine, one of three Hodgson originals . . . performed to perfection - Blues Print-August
. . . Plays harp at a frenetic pace . . .- Dennis Maloney-Skylands Blues News, NJ
. . . Usually it's the guitar slingers who go over the top . . . it's refreshing to see a harpist do the same - Bill Harriman-Sound Waves
. . . World-class musician - Tinsley Ellis, TELARC RECORDING ARTIST
. . . With the hundreds of harmonica players out there it's easy to become somewhat cynical and closed-minded. Too many harp-blowers doing' and saying' the same thing. It's rare that you find someone with talent and strong enough individuality to make them stand out from the pack . . . Mark Hodgson shows enough brilliance to warrant close and careful scrutiny from here on in - Andy Grigg-Real Blues, Canada Aug/Sept
One of the strongest indie releases of the year . . . Hodgson is a first rate harp player and a convincing vocalist . . . tight classic sounding and
loads of fun - Detroit Blues-Aug.- Sept.

Since we opened in August, Hodgson has become the favorite at the House of Blues here in Orlando. Adam Shipley, Talent Buyer
. . . When this album is good, it is painfully great - Doug Elfman-Daytona Beach News Journal
.....With just acoustic guitar, harmonica and his rich, Rottweiler-bark of a voice, Hodgson kicks Satan’s butt and conjures the spirits of Muddy,
      Stevie Ray and Robert Johnson - Rick de Yampert--Daytona Beach News Journal
....You perform with a lot of taste and good attention to the tradition without trying to copycat anyone. My compliments on some very good music
      Bruce Iglauer...Founder Alligator records

WHAT DO THESE PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?

BOZ SCAGGS
B.B. KING
BUDDY GUY
JOHN COHEN
CANNED HEAT
JOHNNY WINTER
BO DIDDLEY
CHARLIE DANIELS
MARIA MALDAUER
KENNY WAYNE SHEPPARD
LEON RUSSELL
FOGHAT
BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO
DIXIE DREGS
REV. BILLY C. WIRTZ
THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS
BOB MARGOLIN
JIMMY THACKERY
JIMMY HALL
JERRY REED
TIM McGRAW
DIAMOND RIO
JOHN BERRY
TANYA TUCKER
TONY JOE WHITE
BILLY COX
GYPSY SONS AND RAINBOWS
BLUE OYSTER CULT
NOBLE’THIN MAN’ WATTS
JUNIOR WELLS
ERWIN HELFER
DETROIT JR.
S.P. LEARY
ODIE PAYNE JR.
VASSAR CLEMENTS
THE VENTURES
THE NIGHTHAWKS
ROOT BOY SLIM
THE OUTLAWS
MOLLY HATCHETT
GREG ALLMAN
TINSLEY ELLIS
PAT TRAVERS
RICK DERRINGER
EDGAR WINTER
SAVOY BROWN
CARROTT TOP
SONNY RHODES
THE BUTTHOLE SURFERS
BLACKFOOT
LUTHER GUITAR JR. JOHNSON
GEORGE MILLER
ELLAN BOOSLER
ROGER EARL (FOGHAT)
BRYAN BASSETT (WILD CHERRY)
JOE BERARDI (STAN RIDGEWAY)
LEE ROY PARNELL
PETE CARR (BOB SEGER, HOUR GLASS)
SYLVAN WELLS (THE NIGHTCRAWLERS)
JOHN HOSTETTER (MURPHY BROWN)
THREE DOG NIGHT

THEY HAVE ALL BEEN IN CONCERT WITH
MARK 'muddyharp' HODGSON

Mark's Website