Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Classics at Brantwyn

Program

Mark "Muddy Harp" Hodgson

Entertainment

Mark "Muddy Harp" Hodgson

Listen

From Mark Hodgson's web site:

Born in Detroit, grew up in Daytona Beach, Mark "Muddy Harp" 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 "Muddy Harp" 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 Survival in a Tourist Town by Mark Hodgson and The Rootie Tootie Band. 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 "Muddy Harp" 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 Theatre Center on the Daytona State College campus. Hodgson has given workshops on the history of the blues at all educational levels since 1986.

Mark "Muddy Harp" Hodgson, now resides in Virginia with his family. There have been many awards presented to Hodgson over the years and there have been many recordings now available on the Internet. The most recent, From the Delta to the Piedmont is a double cd featuring his strong original writing and performing and the Greatest Live performances of his various bands over the past 10 years. As a special feature, Noble Watts shows up with 3 outstanding performances with the Mark Hodgson Band and 3 original studio recordings performed by Hodgson and members of the Florida Blues All-stars, written by the late Bob Greenlee.

Brantwyn Mansion

Brantwyn

On the grounds of the DuPont Country Club and a former du Pont family residence, Brantwyn is a marvel of Georgian elegance in the wooded countryside of the Brandywine Valley. Brantwyn's eleven rooms on two floors are richly appointed with tasteful furnishings that lend them a refined yet relaxed ambiance ideal for weddings, special events, family celebrations, social events, and business meetings. The estate's exquisitely manicured 60-acre garden setting offers a breathtaking backdrop for photographs in every season.

The lush landscape, diverse venues and first class service creates the perfect hospitality experience for you to enjoy.

Directions

We are just above I-95 at the Rt. 202 Exit in Wilmington Delaware*

From Suburban Philadelphia

On RT 202 south, below Rt. 1, it is about 7 miles to the turn at RT 141. You will pass the Concord Mall and Talleyville, and eventually come to Fairfax Shopping Center, all on the left. AstraZeneca will be on your right. Take a right onto Rt. 141 (Murphy Road). Go straight through one traffic light servicing AstraZeneca. At the 2nd light continue straight onto Children’s Drive. (RT 141 goes to right. Don’t go there.) Go to the 3rd light and make a right onto Rockland Road. The DuPont Country Club is 1/2 mile on the right.

From Washington, D.C., Baltimore/I-95 North

Follow I-95 North toward Wilmington, DE. Take Exit 8, Rt. 202 North Concord Pike/West Chester. Merge onto 202 North. Turn left onto Rt. 141 (Murphy Road). AstraZeneca and a Cumberland Farms will be just above the intersection. Go straight through one traffic light servicing AstraZeneca. At the 2nd light continue straight onto Children’s Drive. (RT 141 goes to right. Don’t go there.) Go to the 3rd light and make a right onto Rockland Road. The DuPont Country Club is 1/2 mile on the right.

* Note: The intersection of Rt. 141 and Children’s Drive was rebuilt in 2006. Some map programs on the internet have not been updated to show this change.