With “Coming Home” out now, we took some time to hear from Jeff Hodges. Read below to learn more about Jeff Hodges, the story behind “Coming Home,” and what’s to come.

Hi Jeff Hodges! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

Well, I was actually born with it.

What city are you from, and where are you based now?

I’m from Atlanta Georgia, that’s where I was born anyway. In the US, I’ve lived in many places. I grew up basically in the Charlotte and just south of Charlotte area like Miley South Carolina. Then, I moved out when I was 16 to Charlotte to work as a dishwasher (haha). I was in Nashville some years, and now I’m in Turks and Caicos.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I decided to pursue a career in music when I was 7. I started taking piano lessons when I was 7. I loved Elton John, Edgar Winter – I just couldn’t get enough of it. I’ve been playing all my life. I would say that, you know, I always wanted to play, so it really started almost at birth.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

The music that I’ve been writing from last 2 years has been very, umm, I would say it’s rock and blues based with country. I’d say hook driven storytelling with interesting production and cool arrangements.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

I like boating and swimming and jet skis. I play cornhole, haha.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

I mean influences would be everyone from Elton John to Bach, to a you know, Frank Zappa to hard rock – you know Scorpions and stuff back in the ’80s, really all over the map.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

One of my proudest moments wasn’t my career, but it was my daughter when she was 12. She sang the national anthem for the opening of a the tennis championship where Serena Williams was playing.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

I was very proud of the success that Darius Rucker had on this record, True Believers, specially “Wagon Wheel,” which was a massive hit.

Now onto your release, “Coming Home.” What inspired this song? What is “Coming Home” about?

“Coming Home” was inspired by several people that I love including my daughter. They were concerned that I was getting a little too crazy, that’s what it really is about to me. I’m not even gone, but I am gone, coming home and all, just around the bend, I’m just coming down, maybe don’t worry now, you could see me there because I know you care not so much me caring about myself, but the song touches people in many different ways. I would say most of them, it’s just a longing from home and going back to your roots, your family and the things that you love.

How did the collaboration with Alyxandra come about?

Well, I have been working with Alyxandra since she was born as well – she’s my daughter. She’s an incredible singer, she’s an incredible talent, she’s absolutely drop dead gorgeous, perfect in every way. Her voice is just natural. She’s been singing since she was 3. She wrote her first song when she was 8 or 9. We did our first song together when she was 10, 11, 12 – she grew up in the studio.

What was the creative process like when making “Coming Home?”

The creative process when making “Coming Home” while writing it, I actually started that one with the music. I don’t know the words, just kind of come to me. I try to take inspiration from what the song is doing and the feeling, and that inspires me to come up with the lyrics.

How long did it take to complete “Coming Home?”

I got most music down probably within a week and the vocals may have taken, I’d say, two weeks maybe.

What is your favorite lyric in “Coming Home” and why?

My favorite lyric in “Coming Home” is, umm, I would say, “I’m cruising all the warning signs yellow signs and solid lines.” You can’t wait to get home, and you’re taking your risks when you’re driving or you’re not heeding your own good judgment, you’re cruising pass the warning signs, yellow lights and solid lines. Well, I mean a lot of different things there – yellow lights could be you know, a club, it could be caution, it could be the lights turning red and you’re just cruising through the yellow light. Solid lines has many meanings there, but you’re not supposed to cross the solid line, right?

What message or messages do you hope fans take away from “Coming Home” and your music in general?

I would say, “Coming Home” is you’re never too far to come back, you never too far gone to come back no matter where you are and your family misses you and you miss your family, and there’s no one else that’s ever going to love you like family – the message is hope and redemption.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I am working and writing music continuously, I have over a dozen songs finished to release that I have written in the last year or so, they’re finished, so I’m planning on doing a release pretty much every month or every 6 weeks. I do have shows every week, three times a week in Turks and Caicos and Providenciales. I’m arranging a tour in Mexico as well as the UK and hopefully Puerto Rico and the US. I don’t have those dates as of yet.

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!