My Story Charles Edward Hodges Sr.: Hi Rhythm Section Hammond B-3 Organist

By Delois Jackson

Rev. Charles Edward Hodges Sr. played the organ (Hammond B-3) for some of the most prominent artists in the world. His passion and dedication for music inspired audiences here in the United States and overseas.

His life’s journey was bittersweet; he knows what it feels like to be at the top, and he knows how it feels at the bottom. He lost everything, but the Lord told him he’d give it all back to him if he lived his life for him. Rev. Hodges, now an ordained minister, did that, and God kept his promise.
Even in his mid-70s, people were still requesting to hear him play. He is still recording, doing live performances, and helping others develop their talents.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664165403

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My Story

Charles Edward Hodges Sr.

Hi Rhythm Section

Hammond B3 Organist

Delois Jackson

Copyright © 2021 by Delois Jackson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 06/16/2021

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Part 1: Early Life of Charles Edward Hodges Sr.

Early Years

Grandfather—Tom Hodges

Father—LeRoy Hodges Sr.

Mother—Rosie Lee

LeRoy Sr. and Rosie Lee Hodges’s Children

School/Education

Work/Jobs

Part 2: Making Music

Point of Discovery

Germantown Blue Dots

Traveling with O. V. Wright

Professional Career

The Band Hi Rhythm

The Songwriter

Part 3: The Addiction

Side Tracked

Drug Addition

Part 4: Religion/Minister

Spiritual Journey

Trip to Brazil

The Minister

Appendix I: Accomplishments

Appendix II: Charles Edward Hodges Sr. Discography

Appendix III: Songs Written on a Solo Basis by Rev. Charles Edward Hodges Sr.

About the Author

Foreword

I saw Charles Hodges on television and stage. I enjoyed his playing the organ. I admired his relationship with his brothers and the Hi Records family.

I really got to know Charles at the St. Mark Baptist Church in Millington, Tennessee, where he joined me in ministry. The morning he was introduced to the congregation, he walked up and took his position at the organ and began to play. The congregation was blown away, and worship took on new meaning with new power.

Charles and I bonded as brothers in Christ and worked together to build the kingdom of God. Our relationship grew beyond the walls of the church.

I confess that I did not know of his challenges and struggles until one Sunday morning, the legendary Rufus Thomas came to worship. Rufus was pleasantly surprised to see Charles at church but was delighted to see him on the organ. Rufus confessed to Charles, Man, I thought you were dead.

In my study, Rufus contemplated what he would sing and confessed he had never before sung in a church. Whatever I came up with, Charles Hodges would follow me. That morning, Rufus sang If I Can Help Somebody, and Charles Hodges followed well. The congregation stood and applauded at an unusual level.

I later learned why Rufus thought Charles was dead and grew to appreciate Charles’s love to play Amazing Grace.

When Charles announced his call to the ministry, I was not surprised. God had shown Rev. Charles Hodges grace for an amazing work in the arena of a second chance.

May God continue to bless and keep the treasure he gave us in the Rev. Charles Hodges, my friend and brother.

LaSimba A. Gray Jr., Pastor Emeritus

The Historic New Sardis Baptist Church

Germantown, Tennessee

Introduction

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 well-known 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