Jump to Discography Central to my musical outlook is the idea of the composer/performer. Much of the classical guitar repertoire that is today so commonly heard in concert halls was written by composer/guitarists. I believe that performing my own music is the quickest way for me to expose the music to an audience and test their reactions immediately. Sometimes I'm a bit sneaky when presenting my compositions to the public; I'll just play an original and not say that it's mine. When someone in the audience approaches me after the concert and says, "That was a great piece!" or "Who wrote that?", it validates what I'm doing. Although I perform using classical technique, some of the music that I perform could hardly be considered classical. My musical influences are wide ranging. The first styles I played were country, blues and rock. I was affected greatly by the rock guitar innovators of the time: Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck. I also became very interested in jazz and fusion guitar during my teen years, admiring artists like John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Al Dimeola. Although I had heard classical guitarists perform from an early age, I didn't pursue the classical guitar technique until after I had experimented with virtually every other style. Around 1977 or so--during Jimmy Carter's presidency--I saw one of those White House concerts on television with a featured performance by Andres Segovia! Definitely a life-changing experience. After that, it was like the carefree bachelor who suddenly knew marriage was imminent. I realized then that classical guitar was my next step because, in my mind, it was the ultimate challenge. And I've always searched for challenges. Much of the inspiration for my compositions come from travel. The sensory aspect of being in a different place seems to ignite some distinctive musical reactions in me. I'm sure that my fascination with travel comes from growing up right near an interstate highway; I would hear the sounds of cars and trucks from my bedroom at night and visualize the places they were going. It was a great inspiration for me, stamping lasting sounds and images in my imagination. My programs typically consist of about half original music and half classical repertoire. I like the blend of old and new. When the audience enjoys my music alongside the great works of the repertoire, I feel extremely encouraged. Playing the standard repertoire also teaches me how to write for the guitar--what works well for the performer and what doesn't. When an audience hears one of my performances, I think they get something a bit different from most classical guitar concerts. There's a spontaneity there that results from playing my original works. Many of my compositions are adaptable to formal and informal performance settings. I have the liberty of choosing certain pieces or changing them to suit my surroundings or to suit the audience. And if I can be entertained when I'm performing, I'm convinced that it's more enjoyable for everyone that way. D i s c o g r a p h y Guitarchitecture Released on Tikal Records, October 1994. TK642. On compact disc and cassette. Produced, arranged and performed by Roger Hudson. Recorded at CSS Studios, LaGrange, Georgia. Recorded and engineered by Paul Hammock. Includes 12 original compositions and two arrangements. Selections include "The Fox and the Hounds", "Secret Tango", "Camille (Joy)", "West 57th Strut", "Undersea Ballad", "Lullaby for a Lady", "Dreams Collage", "Blues from Jekyll", "The Seven-Legged Spider", "Gardens Waltz", "All I Ask of You" *, "Take Five" **, "Trouble Blues", "Dancing in a Sleepless Night". * Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. ** Composed by Paul Desmond. Strings of Light Released on Tikal Records. TK652. Cassette release November 1994. Compact disc release October 1995. Produced by Roger Hudson and Paul Hammock. Arranged and performed by Roger Hudson. Recorded at CSS Studios, LaGrange, Georgia. Recorded and engineered by Paul Hammock. Includes "Deck the Halls", "Little Drummer Boy", "O Christmas Tree", "I Saw Three Ships", "Sweet Little Jesus Boy", "We Three Kings", "Carol of the Bells", "The First Noel", "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", "Silent Night", "What Child Is This?", "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". Alabama Christmas Memories Released on Project One Records. Cassette release November 1995. Produced by Roger Hudson and Timothy Dobson. Arranged and performed by Roger Hudson. Recorded at Cook Sound Studios, Fort Payne, Alabama. Includes "Homecoming Christmas", "Tennessee Christmas", "Candle in the Window", "Happy Holidays", "Santa Claus (I Still Believe in You)", "Angels Among Us", "Thistlehair the Christmas Bear", "Tonight Is Christmas", "Joseph and Mary's Boy", "Christmas in Dixie", "Christmas Memories". Simplicity Volume 2 Featuring Roger Hudson Released on Pamplin Music. CD release 1997. PMCD9706. Produced by Trammell Starks. Executive Producers: Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. and Gary Randall. Co-Executive Producer: Tom Ramsey. A unique instrumental collection featuring time-honored inspirational favorites. Quiet, serene and introspective, these fresh arrangements of traditional hymns and gospel songs offer a peaceful retreat from the fast pace of everyday life, providing the perfect backdrop for moments of meditation, prayer and contemplation. Includes "Be Thou My Vision", "Be Still My Soul", "Just As I Am", "Fairest Lord Jesus", "Holy, Holy, Holy", "It Is Well With My Soul", "Simple Gifts", "All Creatures Of Our God and King", "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God", "Were You There?", "Amazing Grace", "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross", "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee", "Praise To The Lord, The Almighty". Simplicity Volume 8 Featuring Roger Hudson & Thom Head Released on Pamplin Music. CD release 1997. PMCD9719. Produced by Trammell Starks. Executive Producers: Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. and Gary Randall. Co-Executive Producer: Tom Ramsey. Another in Pamplin's gospel instrumental collections, Simplicity Volume 8 features selections for guitar and violin performed by Roger Hudson with Thom Head on violin. Includes "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today", "Moment by Moment", "The God of Abraham Praise", "Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken", "Jesus Paid It All", "O Master Let Me Walk With Thee", "God Will Take Care of You", "For the Beauty of the Earth", "I Surrender All", "I Need Thee Every Hour", "Tell Me The Stories of Jesus", "Jesus, Rose of Sharon". Back to Top