Mighty Mo Rodgers

Mighty Mo Rodgers (born July 24, 1942) is an American electric blues musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, who has released six albums to date.  He has been influenced by the work of Aretha Franklin, Bobby Bland, Eddie Boyd, Jimmy Reed, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Willie Dixon.

Bonnie Raitt noted that "Mo Rodgers' music is a breath of fresh air in the blues/R&B world. He combines sly social commentary with a great funky sound...I love his voice. He's a welcome original."

Maurice Rodgers was born in East Chicago, Indiana.  He studied classical piano but was more influenced by witnessing the blues acts that performed at his father's nightclub. In the mid-1960s, the music produced by the American record label, Stax, also affected his musical ambitions. In high school, Rodgers formed his first band known as the Rocketeers. After entering Indiana State College, he fronted the Maurice Rodgers Combo. His love of playing keyboards led Rodgers to leave college and relocate to Los Angeles, California, becoming a full-time musician.

He played the Farfisa electric organ on Brenton Wood's 1967 hit, "Gimme Little Sign".

In 1973, Rodgers co-produced the album "Sonny & Brownie" (A&M Records) by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. He also played keyboards on the album's cut. Following a spell as a session musician, Rodgers moved into songwriting where he penned songs for both Motown and Chappell & Co. He also worked as a record producer before returning to education and obtaining a philosophy degree from California State University, Northridge.  His first solo album was released in 1999 by Blue Thumb Records. "Blues Is My Wailin' Wall" included Rodgers' philosophical views on mankind in several of the songs' lyrics.

In 2000, Rodgers performed at the Notodden Blues Festival. His European excursions have included concerts at the New Morning nightclub in Paris. In 2001, Rodgers performed on the album Memphis recorded by Jean-Jacques Milteau, which also included contributions from Little Milton and Mighty Sam McClain. His recordings continued with "Red, White & Blues" (2002), "Black Paris Blues" a live album issued in 2004, and "Redneck Blues" (2007). His most recent release was "Cadillac Jack" in 2012.

•    W.C. Handy Award nomination (1999) for "Blues Is My Wailin' Wall"
•    Chic De L' Annee (1999) (France) as Blues Album of the Year for "Blues Is My Wailin' Wall"
•    Contemporary Blues Album of the Year (2002) by Living Blues for "Red, White & Blues"
•    Académie Charles Cros (Grand Prix du Disque) (2002) for "Red, White & Blues"
•    Trophees France Blues (2001) and (2002) International Artist
•    Trophees France Blues (2003) International Songwriter
•    Chic De L'Annee (2007) Blues Album of the Year for Redneck Blues

(Mighty Mo Rodgers at 13th Annual Poconos Blues Festival 2004)