Elvis Tribute Artists Radio
SAL ACCAPUTO
Canadian ETA Sal Accaputo (Selvis) and Charlie became good friends in the early ‘90's when Charlie was in the Toronto, Canada area and they kept in touch throughout the years. Charlie wore Sal’s brown guitar strap (with his name on the back) right to the end.
When Charlie and I first met, we had an instant connection. He told me how much I reminded him of Elvis, and that I had many of the same mannerisms. When he heard me sing he complimented me on my voice which he said was “perfect” and in some ways, stronger than Elvis’. I met him at a time when I was going through a divorce and he helped me through it. We even worked on security together for about a week for a friend of ours.
When Charlie and I first met, we had an instant connection. He told me how much I reminded him of Elvis, and that I had many of the same mannerisms. When he heard me sing he complimented me on my voice which he said was “perfect” and in some ways, stronger than Elvis’. I met him at a time when I was going through a divorce and he helped me through it. We even worked on security together for about a week for a friend of ours.
We also watched a lot of TV together, and I remember when we were watching a show hosted by Bill Bixby called “Is Elvis Alive?” Charlie was so upset that Bill Bixby would do a thing like that because he was a friend of Elvis’ and knew full well that Elvis had died, so Charlie called the TV station during the viewer call-in segment and when he told them who he was they wouldn’t allow him on the air. He would tell us different stories about Elvis every night, and of course, the more stories he told, the sadder they became and then we would end up in tears. I remember that on February 1 st Charlie called Lisa Marie to wish her a happy birthday and he very kindly introduced me to her over the phone (I was very nervous!). She was happy to hear from “Uncle Charlie.” We were also in Las Vegas together and I remember us playing keno. We both lost at first, then I lent Charlie $500 and within 20 minutes he had won it all back, plus $2000. He kidded me that I was his good luck charm! We kept in contact over the years. I visited him in Pigeon Forge and we talked quite a bit on the phone. Last summer I was supposed to go fishing with Charlie but because of our schedules it didn’t work out. There is so much I can say about Charlie Hodge. He was just a great guy and I know why Elvis chose to be with him. Elvis couldn’t have picked a better guy. All I can say is, Charlie, thanks for all you did for me, thanks for all you taught me, thanks for guiding me, thanks for wearing my guitar strap till the end, and most of all thanks for being you. You’re in my prayers and my heart. I will always love you. Your friend, Sal Accaputo
Charlie’s life changed abruptly when Elvis passed. He had built his life and existence around and about Elvis – personal as well as professional. Charlie in his own right was a tremendous talent. Without a doubt, he was the very best Elvis "impersonator" (vocally) of us all. Many folks do not realize that Charlie sang in unison with Elvis often in his performances either on record or on stage. Listen closely to "I Just Can’t Help Believin’” and you will notice his voice backing Elvis. They had a close relationship that began in Germany where they became friends from their common background in music and being from the South. In many ways it was hard for Charlie in the past 29 years to be constantly reminded of what his life used to be with Elvis and what he had lost --his career, his friend, his life as he knew it.
We were friends in the late 1980's into the early 90's. We would talk on the phone a lot. He really just wanted people to accept him as Charlie Hodge of the Foggy River Boys. He was so much more than just Elvis ‘sidekick. Hopefully he will get the credit he deserves in his passing that he never really received in life for his contributions in music.
Charlie also paid me one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received. When I was in Chicago at our first EPIIA convention, I was singing with a few of the other guys. We were doing American Trilogy together, and at the end the guys handed me the Mic and I took the lead vocal “ Glory Glory”...etc. As I was singing, a fan was videotaping the jam session and later, watching the tape, I could see Charlie Hodge standing there watching; I did not even know he’d been watching to be honest. At the end when I hit the big notes you could hear Charlie say to the person he was standing with, “Now that's the way that song is supposed to be sung!" It was the best compliment I felt that could ever validate me as a singer who wanted to compliment Elvis by what I could do vocally. Why? Because when he said it, he did not say it to be heard, it was just his reaction to what he was watching in the back of the room out of sight making it truly what he was thinking at that moment rather something he was just saying to be nice or to promote somebody.
I thank Charlie for always being kind to me and for always being there for Elvis, from the day Charlie met Elvis till the day Charlie died. As fans, he was our closest connection to Elvis. Peace to his family during this sad time.
We were friends in the late 1980's into the early 90's. We would talk on the phone a lot. He really just wanted people to accept him as Charlie Hodge of the Foggy River Boys. He was so much more than just Elvis ‘sidekick. Hopefully he will get the credit he deserves in his passing that he never really received in life for his contributions in music.
Charlie also paid me one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received. When I was in Chicago at our first EPIIA convention, I was singing with a few of the other guys. We were doing American Trilogy together, and at the end the guys handed me the Mic and I took the lead vocal “ Glory Glory”...etc. As I was singing, a fan was videotaping the jam session and later, watching the tape, I could see Charlie Hodge standing there watching; I did not even know he’d been watching to be honest. At the end when I hit the big notes you could hear Charlie say to the person he was standing with, “Now that's the way that song is supposed to be sung!" It was the best compliment I felt that could ever validate me as a singer who wanted to compliment Elvis by what I could do vocally. Why? Because when he said it, he did not say it to be heard, it was just his reaction to what he was watching in the back of the room out of sight making it truly what he was thinking at that moment rather something he was just saying to be nice or to promote somebody.
I thank Charlie for always being kind to me and for always being there for Elvis, from the day Charlie met Elvis till the day Charlie died. As fans, he was our closest connection to Elvis. Peace to his family during this sad time.
RICK MARINO
Long-
LOU VUTO
ETA Lou Vuto worked with Charlie at Memories Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for almost 9 years, up until the time Charlie was hospitalized, performing in 1700 shows together. Lou has also written a moving tribute to Charlie on his own website at www.louvuto.com
I saw Elvis and Charlie in concert in 1975 when I was only 13 years old. I never dreamed that I would have the wonderful opportunity of working with Charlie this many years later. He was a wonderful talent in his own right and a vital part of The Elvis Presley Show. More importantly he was Elvis' friend. He put up with a "snot nosed punk" like me for almost 9 years and I'm so glad he did. But honestly, while I was on stage pretending to be someone, Charlie was the real deal and it was always an honor to appear with him. He would give me scarves like he used to do for Elvis but I always felt like I should be the one giving him the scarves. I am honored that he called me a friend. I love him very much and I miss him so much already. We have all lost a good friend and another connection to Elvis. I look forward to seeing Charlie again one day with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
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EDDIE MILES
Long time Elvis entertainer and singer, who worked with Charlie for several years when he first came to Memories Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Eddie Miles also performed with Charlie in other spectacular Anniversary concerts in Memphis during Elvis Week.
The thing I most admired about Charlie Hodge was that I never heard him say a negative thing about Elvis. Many chose to write and publish some of the negative human side, that we all have, of Elvis, even Priscilla. But not Charlie, who lived at Graceland for 18 years and worked with Elvis almost daily. Charlie had access to all of Elvis’ personality traits, the good and the bad, but chose to only tell the positive side. And that is what is called a true friend. And I believe that is what Charlie and Elvis were to each other. I worked with Charlie for several years on many concerts. It was always a lot of fun and a thrill to sing harmony with the same man who sang harmony with the greatest singer in history.
Charlie in Memphis, 2002. Photo courtesy Douglas Ferich
Photo courtesy of Lou Vuto
Photo courtesy of Eddie Miles
Photo courtesy of Rick Marino