\n\u201cI noticed my words were potent a few years back when I released the single ‘Savannah Weather,’ and shortly after, Hurricane Matthew hit,\u201d chuckled Hodges. \u201cAnd then in 2018, I put out a song ‘Talmadge Bridge,’ and not long after that, renaming the bridge became a community conversation. It got me thinking that maybe my words really did have force. What if I wrote about the life I wanted without fear of how I really feel? I could use that power and write and speak my way into success as a musician and creative.\u201d<\/p>\n\nHodges got to work. He lined up a dream team of Hostess City heavyweights, including producers Delandrian Aikens, and Calvin Ford, radio personality CJ the DJ, rapper Yung Damon, bassist Bernard Daniels, drummer Robert Saunders, and more. Hodges also tapped Fred Love, aka PCBeatz, to mix the project, and Julian Moore for mastering.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nThe album opens with \u201cClay Day,\u201d an energetic track in which Hodges explores what it feels like getting his big break. The song pulses with grind, determination, and likely resonates with anyone who\u2019s ever felt overlooked or who remains confident in their worth and abilities regardless of others\u2019 failure to see them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a song for everyone on this album,\u201d emphasized Hodges, \u201cNot just underdogs and dark horses. A couple tracks celebrate women who get it all done on their own. A few tracks explore relationships, love and healing, and of course, those about staying committed to the dream.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\u201cSpeak It,\u201d the album\u2019s title track, features Hodges\u2019s rhymes and melody as they weave through the vocal harmonies of Savannah-local R&B artist, ERRIII. The song is a groove, a mood-booster with mantra-like lyrics, \u201cListen to your heart just don\u2019t rely on what you see\/open up your mind and get aligned\/You gotta speak\/Until it go your way.\u201d Fans of hip-hop soul\u2014think, Mary J. Blige, \u201cThe Breakthrough\u201d\u2014will appreciate this track especially.<\/p>\n
Trey Myers, treasurer of the newly former Savannah Music Commission, is keen on Hodges\u2019s release gala. The men met in October at the commission\u2019s inaugural networking event where Hodges introduced himself. Myers immediately recognized the kind of focused, motivated artist the commission wants to uphold.<\/p>\n\n\u201cThe Savannah Music Commission is in place to promote the city as a music destination while also supporting local artists, providing players knowledge of what\u2019s going on in terms of available resources, and vying for better opportunities,\u201d said Myers. \u201cClay stood out to me as an ambitious creative. He\u2019s not just a rapper. He has a successful podcast, \u201cPhat Vegan,\u201d and genuinely wants to boost the team boosting him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to his performance because I know him so far as a businessman and creative. I\u2019m excited to see how he shows up live as a performer.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\nThe Savannah Music Commission, brainchild of Rep. Carl Gilliard, who, with a team of eight industry affiliates, aims to foster music tourism, more coordination within the local music community, and music education opportunities. The commission will partner with Hodges for increased promotion and awareness of his album release.<\/p>\n
Mary Armstrong Dugas, executive director of Savannah Music Collective, is also eager to partner with Hodges. Dugas and her organization take to heart \u201ca rising tide lifts all boats\u201d and worked with Hodges in establishing a scholarship fund for creatives and their projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was all Clay\u2019s idea,\u201d emphasized Dugas. \u201cAnd it\u2019s an honor for Savannah Music Collective to partner with him in creating this fund for local musicians. In addition, the Savannah Music Commission bringing their people to Clay\u2019s party is an incredible example of how we can work together supporting local music and artists.\u201d<\/p>\n
Application information for Hodges\u2019s \u201cSpeak It Grant\u201d is located at the Savannah Music Collective website. In keeping with lifting boats, a portion of the night\u2019s ticket sales go directly to the fund.<\/p>\n\n\u201cI want to make music for a living and help more creators do what they love,\u201d beamed Hodges. \u201cThe world would be a better place if more people lived their passion, and that\u2019s what this grant will help do at least in one small way. I am grateful to be making music, releasing music, and I feel like a lifeline, that I get to be for someone else what I need. We can all be examples for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nIf You Go >><\/h2>\n
What: <\/strong>\u201cSpeak It\u201d Gala and Fundraiser: Clay Hodges Album Release Party<\/p>\nWhen:<\/strong> 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Jan. 24<\/p>\nWhere:<\/strong> Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, 606 E. Broad St., Savannah<\/p>\nTickets: <\/strong>$30, $50, and $250 VIP packagesl contact Shadae Rahlem, snrahiem@gmail.com<\/p>\nInfo:<\/strong> \u201cSpeak It Grant\u201d information, savannahmusiccollective.org\/speak-it-grant<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n