Originally from Detroit, Bob Hodge fronted a boogie band called Catfish. After several concert tours through the area, around 1969 he moved to the D.C. area settling near McLean, Virginia. His band played local clubs and continued to tour nationally. Members of the group included Hodge (vocals, guitar), Mike McQuillin (lead guitar), Jimmy Powers (harp), George McWhirter and Lee Robinson (trombones), Randy Ottenger (trumpet), Duane Campbell (bass), Mark Cuff (drums ex-Sky Cobb, Emmylou Harris’ Angel Band), and singers Dixie Ballin, Diana Crawford, and Marian Deegan.
Locally they could be seen at Chatham Lounge in Ellicott City, Famous Ballroom, No Fish Today, Eight by Ten…
Their recordings of “Sailin’ Shoes”, and “Holiday” were included on the D.C. compilation LP “Direct Current” in 1977.
Hodge continued to perform his original and classic blues locally in the ‘00s as a solo, as a duo with Tom Principato, and sometimes with a backing band. Seen at various Columbia village center concerts, National Zoo in D.C…
1969 Epic BN26505 Catfish
1973 Eastbound 607 Boogie Man Gonna Get Ya
1974 Eastbound 621 Color TV Blues
1974 Eastbound 630 Birmingham
1975 20thCentury 5003 Keep Driving Me Crazy / (same)
1975(LP) 20th Century 202 Soap Opera’s
1979(LP) Adelphi 4113 Eyewitness Blues
1980(LP) Adelphi 4126 Bout with The Blues
1981(LP) Fanpower 001 Catfish Hodge & Chicken Legs
