Tevis Hodge, Jr. mesmerized the audience. Here's a bit I found about his background on the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival's 2014 Web site: Born in Virginia, Tevis was exposed to the blues at an early age. He is inspired to keep true to the traditions and techniques of the musicians of the past for an authentic experience while at the same time accenting his own original flare and interpretations. His songwriting conjures the traditions of yesterday, giving his sound an authentic flow from his own material to blues standards. Tevis Hodge, Jr. is more than a re-creator of the old, he is a contributor to the new voice of the blues. Now living in the Portland, Oregon area, he has performed with a some of the Northwest's finest artists including folk giant Peter Yarrow, Joe McMurrian (winner of The Best Independent Blues Release), Suburban Slim (three time Muddy Award nominee) and Kevin Selfe (Muddy Award winner), to name a few.
I like the perspective of this close-up I got of his hands.
I moved around the seating area for a different view and got a couple of photos that I like--I think his face reflects his immersion in his music. Here's more info from the blues festival's Web site (some of it is repeated from the first copy and paste above): Southern native turned Northwest blues-man, Tevis Hodge, Jr. has been living a life steeped in blues since his first early years in the South. Deeply moved by the musical traditions of his African-American heritage, Tevis has found a home in the blues. At a young age, Tevis began to pursue the techniques of yesteryear. Now his mix of early and original tunes has created a personal sound that is unique and fresh. The result is true blues music in a modern age. He is not simply a re-creator of the old; he is a passionate and creative contributor to the new.
Which of these photos of Hodge do you like best? I 'm partial to the one at the top.
Remember when I said that the FedEx Crossroads Stage was the smallest, most intimate stage? Here you get an idea of the seating arrangements. I'm sitting on the bleachers parallel to those straight across the grass, beneath the welcome shade of some trees.