# Mighty Mo Rodgers

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{{short description|American singer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Mighty Mo Rodgers
| image           = MightyMoRodgers398Flickr.jpg
| caption         = Mighty Mo Rodgers
| image_size      =
| birth_name      = Maurice Rodgers
| alias           =
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|1942|07|24}}
| birth_place     = [East Chicago, Indiana](/source/East_Chicago%2C_Indiana), United States
| death_date      =
| death_place     =
| instrument      = Vocals, keyboards
| genre           = [Electric blues](/source/Electric_blues)<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|author=Campbell, Al |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mighty-mo-rodgers-mn0000407489/biography |title=Mighty Mo Rodgers: Biography |publisher=AllMusic.com |date= |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref>
| occupation      = Musician, singer, songwriter, record producer
| years_active    = Mid 1960s–present
| label           = Various including [Blue Thumb](/source/Blue_Thumb_Records)
| website         = {{URL|http://www.mightymorodgers.com/|Official website}}
}}

'''Mighty Mo Rodgers''' (born July 24, 1942)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonicbids.com/band/mightymorodgers4/about/ |title=About Mighty Mo Rodgers |publisher=Sonicbids.com |date= |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref> is an American [electric blues](/source/electric_blues) musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, who has released eight albums to date.<ref name="AMG"/> He has been influenced by the work of [Aretha Franklin](/source/Aretha_Franklin), [Bobby Bland](/source/Bobby_Bland), [Eddie Boyd](/source/Eddie_Boyd), [Jimmy Reed](/source/Jimmy_Reed), [Otis Redding](/source/Otis_Redding), [Sam & Dave](/source/Sam_%26_Dave), and [Willie Dixon](/source/Willie_Dixon).<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mighty-mo-rodgers-mn0000407489/related |title=Mighty Mo Rodgers: Related |publisher=AllMusic.com |date= |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref>

[Bonnie Raitt](/source/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.&nbsp;.&nbsp;.&nbsp;. I love his voice. He's a welcome original."<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.bignoisenow.com/mightymorodgers.html |title=Mighty Mo Rodgers |publisher=Bignoisenow.com |date= |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref>

==Biography==
'''Maurice Rodgers''' was born in [East Chicago, Indiana](/source/East_Chicago%2C_Indiana),<ref name="AMG"/> He studied [classical](/source/classical_music) piano, but was more influenced by witnessing the blues acts that performed at his father's [nightclub](/source/nightclub). In the mid-1960s, the music produced by the American [record label](/source/record_label) [Stax](/source/Stax_Records) also affected his musical ambitions. In high school, Rodgers formed his first band, the Rocketeers. After entering [Indiana State College](/source/Indiana_State_University), he [fronted](/source/frontman) 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.<ref name="AMG"/>

He played the [Farfisa](/source/Farfisa) [electronic organ](/source/electronic_organ) on [Brenton Wood](/source/Brenton_Wood)'s 1967 hit "[Gimme Little Sign](/source/Gimme_Little_Sign)".<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="Rodgers">{{cite web|url=http://www.mightymorodgers.com/bio.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000831103209/http://www.mightymorodgers.com/bio.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=August 31, 2000 |title=Mighty Mo Rodgers Bio Page |publisher=Mightymorodgers.com |date= |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulbluesmusic.com/mightymorodgers.htm |title=Mighty Mo Rodgers |publisher=Soulbluesmusic.com |date= |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref>

In 1973, Rodgers co-produced the album ''[Sonny & Brownie](/source/Sonny_%26_Brownie)'' ([A&M Records](/source/A%26M_Records)), by [Sonny Terry](/source/Sonny_Terry) and [Brownie McGhee](/source/Brownie_McGhee).<ref name="Rodgers"/> He also played keyboards on the album's cut.<ref name="AMG"/> Following a spell as a [session musician](/source/session_musician), Rodgers moved into songwriting for [Motown](/source/Motown) and [Chappell & Co.](/source/Chappell_%26_Co.) He also worked as a record producer before returning to education and obtaining a [philosophy degree](/source/Bachelor_of_Philosophy) from [California State University, Northridge](/source/California_State_University%2C_Northridge).<ref name="blues1">{{cite web|last=Limnios |first=Michalis |url=http://blues.gr/profiles/blogs/mighty-mo-rodgers-a-blues-poet-philosopher-socrates-laid-down |title=Mighty Mo Rodgers, a Blues Poet Philosopher: Socrates Laid Down Some Real Good Blues "Know Thyself" |publisher=Blues.Gr |date=July 27, 2012 |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref> His first solo album, ''[Blues Is My Wailin' Wall](/source/Blues_Is_My_Wailin'_Wall)'', was released in 1999 by [Blue Thumb Records](/source/Blue_Thumb_Records). The lyrics of several of the songs on the album present Rodgers's philosophical views of mankind.<ref name="AMG"/>

In 2000, Rodgers performed at the [Notodden Blues Festival](/source/Notodden_Blues_Festival). His European excursions have included concerts at the [New Morning](/source/New_Morning_(club)) [nightclub](/source/nightclub) in Paris. In 2001, he performed on the album ''Memphis'', recorded by [Jean-Jacques Milteau](/source/Jean-Jacques_Milteau), which also included contributions from [Little Milton](/source/Little_Milton) and [Mighty Sam McClain](/source/Mighty_Sam_McClain).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/memphis-mw0000031055/credits |title=Jean-Jacques Milteau, ''Memphis'': Credits |publisher=AllMusic.com |date= |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref> His own recordings continued with ''Red, White & Blues'' (2002); ''Black Paris Blues'', a [live album](/source/live_album) issued in 2004; and ''Redneck Blues'' (2007). His next release was ''Cadillac Jack'' in 2012.<ref name="allmusic1">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mighty-mo-rodgers-mn0000407489/discography |title=Mighty Mo Rodgers: Discography |publisher=AllMusic.com |date= |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref>

Rodgers appeared at the 22nd [Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival](/source/Salmon_Arm_Roots_and_Blues_Festival) in August 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rootsandblues.ca/mighty-mo-rodgers/ |title=Mighty Mo Rodgers: Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival / Music / Canadian / International / World / Family Event |publisher=Rootsandblues.ca |date=April 4, 2013 |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref>

In 2019, he toured with [Baba Sissoko](/source/Baba_Sissoko) and performed at several European blues festivals.  In 2017, they had jointly released the album, ''Griot Blues''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/griot-blues-mw0003110924|title=Griot Blues - Mighty Mo Rodgers, Baba Sissoko &#124; User Reviews|website=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)|accessdate=August 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.onerootmusic.com/artists-releases/697-2/|title=Griot Blues|website=Onerootmusic.com|accessdate=August 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/mighty-mo-rodgers-baba-sissoko-griot-blues-album-review/|title=Mighty Mo Rodgers & Baba Sissoko – Griot Blues &#124; Album Review|first=Mark|last=Thompson|website=Bluesblastmagazine.com|accessdate=August 7, 2019}}</ref>

==Awards==
*[W.&nbsp;C. Handy Award](/source/Blues_Music_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''
*''[Living Blues](/source/Living_Blues)'' magazine, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year (2002) for ''Red, White & Blues''
*[Académie Charles Cros](/source/Acad%C3%A9mie_Charles_Cros) ([Grand Prix du Disque](/source/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''<ref name="Rodgers"/>

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year || Title || Record label
|-
| 1999 || ''[Blues Is My Wailin' Wall](/source/Blues_Is_My_Wailin'_Wall)''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/blues-is-my-wailin-wall-mighty-mo-rodgers-blue-thumb-records-review-by-ed-kopp |title=Mighty Mo Rodgers: Blues Is My Wailin' Wall |publisher=Allaboutjazz.com |date= |access-date=March 13, 2014}}</ref> || style="text-align:left;"|[Blue Thumb](/source/Blue_Thumb_Records)
|-
| 2002 || ''Red, White & Blues''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mumaprod.com/ontour/mightymorogers.html |title=Musicmatters Mighty Mo Rogers |publisher=Mumaprod.com |accessdate=March 13, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313181044/http://www.mumaprod.com/ontour/mightymorogers.html |archivedate=March 13, 2014  }}</ref> || style="text-align:left;"|Blue Thumb
|-
| 2004 || ''Black Paris Blues''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Mighty+Mo+Rodgers/Black+Paris+Blues+(Live) |title=Black Paris Blues (Live) – Mighty Mo Rodgers |publisher=Last.fm |date=November 26, 2013 |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref> ||  style="text-align:left;"|Isabel
|-
| 2007 || ''Redneck Blues''<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.bluesweb.com/p_disque.php3?id_article=1201 |title=Mighty Mo Rodgers – Redneck Blues |publisher=Bluesweb.com |date= |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref> || style="text-align:left;"|DixieFrog
|-
| 2009 || ''Dispatches from the Moon''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dispatches-Moon-Mighty-Mo-Rodgers/dp/B00B32FQ5S |title=Dispatches from the Moon, Mighty Mo Rodgers |website=Amazon.co.uk |date=May 5, 2009 |accessdate=March 13, 2014}}</ref> || style="text-align:left;"|DixieFrog
|-
| 2012 || ''Cadillac Jack''<ref name="blues1"/> || style="text-align:left;"|Waterfront
|-
| 2017 || ''Griot Blues'' || style="text-align:left;"|One Root Music
|-
| 2023 || ''Memphis Callin': Soul Music & the American Dream'' || style="text-align:left;"|Drinking Gourd
|}<ref name="allmusic1"/>

==See also==
*[List of electric blues musicians](/source/List_of_electric_blues_musicians)
*[Studio City Sound](/source/Studio_City_Sound)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{URL|http://www.mightymorodgers.com/|Official website}}
*[http://www.reverbnation.com/mightymorodgers Reverbnation.com]
*[http://www.soulbluesmusic.com/mightymorodgerspage.htm Biography and discography at Soulbluesmusic.com]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rodgers, Mighty Mo}}
Category:1942 births
Category:Living people
Category:American blues singers
Category:American blues pianists
Category:American male singers
Category:People from East Chicago, Indiana
Category:Electric blues musicians
Category:Record producers from Indiana
Category:Songwriters from Indiana
Category:20th-century American pianists
Category:21st-century American pianists
Category:American male songwriters
Category:20th-century American male pianists
Category:21st-century American male pianists

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mighty Mo Rodgers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Mo_Rodgers) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Mo_Rodgers?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.