Album Notes

2002 adyssientertainment.com

Introducing: Gary E. Hodges
(the man with the voice of gold)

Born in Peoria, IL and raised in Minneapolis, MN the man with the voice of gold is no stranger to the world of music. Born to a musically inclined mother, Mr. Hodges was naturally raised in the world of music. Growing up in the Baptist Church, Mr. Hodges groomed his skills by singing in the choir. In 1990, a matured Mr. Hodges had become a soloist for the Zion Lutheran and New Hope Baptist Churches in the Twin Cities. That same year, The St. Paul Church of God in Christ had awarded him a certificate of recognition for his extraordinary vocal talent.

In 1992, Gary Hodges attended the University of Minnesota where he majored in vocal performance and became a classically trained vocalist. Some of his accomplishments included becoming a member of the Varsity Men's Chorus, winning 3rd place at the National Metropolitan Opera Auditions and teaching youth vocal instruction at the Macphail School of the Arts.

In 1994-95, the Minneapolis Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera Society Chorus called "The Gondoliers" welcomed Gary Hodges and named him principal baritone in Carmina Burana. It was also during this time that Mr. Hodges decided to further his career by singing at various amateur nightclub performances, weddings and funerals.

In November 2002, Gary Hodges completed his first solo CD effort entitled BLACK OLIVE. This CD's release is already highly anticipated by many of his fans nationwide. Black Olive is also sure to please many other music lovers, who have yet to become familiar with the phenomenal vocalist. The CD, which was produced by the new Urban & House music production team "D'Xecutives", has a style that is truly unique and unbelievable.

Black Olive introduces Mr. Hodges to the world by using various genres of music to capture his voice. The hypnotic and bass pounding ballads "Lonely" and "So Into U", display the singers' dynamic vocal prowess combined with enchanting lyrics that are certain to lure anyone into falling in Love. "Keep Pressin' On," the most eclectic song on the album, shows Mr. Hodges' vocal versatility as he freestyles his way through this jam. On other songs like "Fallin' For U", "Tellin'Me Lies" and "Get Up Again", Gary Hodges offers his listener smooth, polished jazzy vocals with varied octave harmonies that capture the essence of Jill Scott or Erykah Badu, but are delivered with the range and power of Rachelle Farrell, Luther and Teddy Pendagrass. All in all BLACK OLIVE is sure to explode onto the music scene awarding Gary Hodges with the recognition and respect he deserves and awarding every listener a musical experience they will not forget.