Todd Hoke was born and raised in Conroe, Texas. He learned to drink coffee while attending Sunday School at the First United Methodist Church, a habit he continues today with some regularity. Todd can do 20 push-ups in a row and has run in the Motorola Marathon in Austin twice without passing out or throwing up. Todd's wife, Meg, thinks he's the best singer-songwriter EVER and his mother, Jody, agrees. Todd's father, Lester, was unavailable for comment. Todd thinks the world would be a better place if more people would read TR Pearson's "A Short History of a Small Place," Richard Bradford's "Red Sky at Morning," and John Kennedy Toole's "Confederacy of Dunces." At home in Austin, Todd is frequently seen sitting on his front porch writing, playing guitar, or staring blankly into space. Todd has never eaten Brussels sprouts, and he never will.
This from Todd: "It had been a dream of mine for some time to put a few of my songs together on a CD and I'm extremely proud of how it turned out (though I did refrain from putting a "Ask me about my CD" bumper sticker on my Civic). Ray did a great job producing and freed me up to really focus on the music. He also mined his Rolodex to get the best players available to bring the songs to life - it was awesome to hear these folks playing MY songs. It's always hard to know, when everything is done, whether or not you've done everything right - maybe I should've hired a bagpiper or tried to sing more like Tiny Tim... The comments, compliments, and reviews I've received since the CD's release lead me to believe that despite these doubts, we did good work."
Todd Hoke's CD, "Headed West on 10," features songs about West Texas, late-night conversations with bordertown prophets, and idyllic summer evenings; topics that reflect his life in Texas. You'll also hear songs about intolerance, homelessness, and embracing the life we're given; topics that reveal Todd's focus on the world beyond his home state. Included are 10 of Todd's own songs, plus a dead-on cover of Townes Van Zandt's song "Marie." Texas Songwriting legend Ray Wylie Hubbard produced the recording, and enlisted top-notch players to lend their talents. The cast includes: Jeff Plankenhorn (dobro & gut-string guitar), Richard Brock (harmonica), Eamon McLoughlin (fiddle), Glenn Fukunaga (bass), John Homer (mandolin), James Denn (flute), Felicia Palmer (accordian), and Bill Palmer (bass). Ladies and gentlemen, it's a swell recording.
"After listening to Todd Hoke's CD, "Headed West on 10," I must confess that I am very impressed by Todd's way of making music. He's made a real masterpiece with no weak moments at all. This CD has great lyrics, a beautiful story-telling voice, and a wonderful rootsy sound; every song deserves to be heard or played! One of the best debut CDs I've heard this year and a nominee for my Top Ten of 2000! Thanks, Todd, for this beautiful gift of music!"
Ray Pieters
Radio Milo
Mol, Belgium
"There is an old saying in show business that performers are least appreciated in their own home towns. I hope we can prove that old saw false, because Todd Hoke, who is a native of Conroe, appears to be doing quite well as a singer and songwriter in Austin. Hoke's album, "Headed West on 10," is a wonderful collection of his songs...from the very start, Hoke's "I Love West Texas" rolled right down that highway, and I wanted to go with him. **** (out of four)"
Arvid Hand
Conroe Courier
Conroe, Texas
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