Elvis Tribute Artists Radio
Elvis Tribute Artists Radio
Ladyluckmusic.com
... “nowhere in the world in print or in one of his thousands of interviews will you ever hear Charlie Hodge say a bad word or a harsh statement about Elvis. Never! For this feat alone he has earned the title of being Elvis’ closest friend and confidant.”
~ Gary Wayne Bridges
~ Gary Wayne Bridges
Charlie Hodge lost his battle with cancer on March 3, 2006 – another of the key figures in Elvis’ life and career to leave us. Over the years, I’d seen or met Charlie several times – at Elvis’ live concerts, of course, and more recently at concerts and rehearsals in Memphis and in Las Vegas. I admired the fact that Charlie always spoke well of Elvis, and I admired his musical talents, too. The last time I saw Charlie on stage was at Elvis Expo 2004 in Las Vegas where a most impressive cast of Elvis’ former musicians was assembled for a show called “A Night to Remember the King.” One of the highlights for me that evening was listening to Charlie Hodge and Terry Mike Jeffrey as they sang “His Hand in Mine” together.
Charlie Hodge and Elvis Presley first met in l956. Charlie was the lead singer with the Foggy River Boys at the time. It was in the army, however, that the two musically talented boys from the South cemented their friendship. After they returned to the United States, Charlie recorded his first song with Elvis -
After Elvis died in 1977, Charlie was deeply pained by his loss and struggled for a number of years to adjust to his new life without Elvis. Over time, he befriended a number of other singers and performers – some of them ETA’s – who saw him through his darkest hours. But there were good times, too, and they appreciated his considerable talents, his sense of humour, his kindness – and he taught them well. Eventually, Charlie settled in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where he carved out his niche at Memories Theatre and was embraced by another family of friends and fans, including, of course, his wife Jennifer. Over the years, Charlie also performed in some spectacular concerts with Elvis’ former musicians – and fans from around the world were reminded, once again, of his talents and the substantial role he played in Elvis’ life.
This month, we have some reminiscences, poignant and funny, from a few of the many entertainers and ETAs who knew and admired Charlie Hodge. In reading through these memories, you can see that Charlie had a knack for making everyone feel special and, in turn, they each remember Charlie as a special person in their own lives.
Photo courtesy Douglas Ferich
GARY WAYNE BRIDGES. Now a producer based in Las Vegas, singer Gary Wayne Bridges (The Voice of a King) worked with Charlie for 10 years on the road in "Elvis" shows throughout the USA and Canada and their friendship lasted over 22 years.
Read Gary's moving tribute .
Read Gary's moving tribute .
TERRY MIKE JEFFREY. Singer, musician, Emmy-nominated songwriter, actor, and life-long Elvis fan, Terry Mike Jeffrey first met Charlie in 1969 and, over the years, performed with him for Elvis fans all over the world. Here, Terry Mike remembers his close friend
WILLIAM STILES. Young ETA who worked with Charlie at Memories Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, remembers the lessons he learned from his friend Charlie
TERRY BLACKWOOD/THE IMPERIALS(pictured here) , LARRY GELLER, & KATHY WESTMORELAND REMEMBER CHARLIE HODGE
