A friend of mine celebrates a birthday today. He stands about 6’6” tall, massive, but not the least bit intimidating. Despite his considerable size, his depth of character impresses most. And his laugh…that laugh could shake solid structures. His name is Mike Hodge, and today I’m thinking of a song that reminds me of him.

I got to know Mike in college when we were both in a loosely-organized Christian organization called United Christians on Campus. We had “functions” but we mostly spent time in conversation and in playing music – all kinds of music. I was a fairly traditional Catholic, raised on the idea that personal prayer and piety would provide the surest route to everlasting favor. But Mike was a social activist, believing that religion should make a physical difference in peoples’ lives. When people are hungry, they need food. When they hurt, they need to have their pain eased. When they no longer believe in themselves, they need to have someone believe in them. While neither of us was wrong, I think Mike was more correct. It was like I was driving my compact car toward some personal Christian ideal, and Mike was loading up his bus and heading toward some world where ordinary people took on the character of Christ and helped other people.

Mike and I both liked a Christian music group at the time called Dust and Ashes. (The group is still in existence!) In fact, we even invited them to our small campus to put on a concert for the student body. They played a lot of great songs, and they shared some time with us at a weekend retreat. Most of those songs have slipped from my memory over the years, but one still remains in my mind, reminding me of Mike:

Oh, I never thought I would find you in this way
I’m so happy I could lay right down and cry
Knowin’ you love me like you do
Makes me feel like playin’ the fool
And run around the town huggin’ strangers. (“Travelin’ Down a Dirt Road” –Performed by Dust and Ashes)

If I were in Nashville today, I’d hug my buddy Mike – not because he’s a stranger, but because he demonstrates that there are no real strangers if you are a person who cares. — Bob Tatum

Sound Traveler will be playing tomorrow night at Murdock’s, opening for Frank and Patti. It will probably be a short set so get there early. On Thursday night we will be at Nolan’s Irish Pub sharing some original songs for Writer’s Night.

3 Comments to “SongTravelin’: 11.30.10 — When the Song Fits….”

• November 30, 2010 at 10:08 am
  cyberbeat says:

  I don’t know why you have to make a big deal about being christian. Just be good to people if you want to and leave it at that!
• November 30, 2010 at 11:26 am
  karen says:

  I remember Mike Hodge! Happy Birthday to him. Just like the songs and music from your most formative periods will always stay with you the people from those times stay in your heart and if you’re lucky – your life.
• November 30, 2010 at 5:02 pm
  Mike Hodge says:

  Bob! I am so honored to be remembered on your blog on my birthday! Thanks so much! I hope that I can live up to your kind words! I loved that Dust and Ashes music, and still do. Gotta put it on CDs! Much love to all!