James Tootie Hogan

James "Tootie" Hogan (Born April 16, 1956) is a professional jazz and R&B Guitarist. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but at a very tender age moved south with his family to Mount Holly, North Carolina. He discovered his gift for music, through the influence and direction of his father, James Hogan, Sr, whose passion and position was planted in gospel music as both a singer and guitarist. Tootie's talents were nurtured in the church under his Father's direction.

He learned to play the piano and bass guitar but his passion and power would be found when he began to play the lead guitar. Hogan's talents found a spotlight as a lead guitarist, a position that would prove to shape the solid musical foundation of his career. During the 70's and early 80's Hogan performed and traveled extensively with various well-known national musicians, such as: The Drifters, The Tams, the Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose, The Chairmen of the Board (featuring General Norman Johnson), Junior Walker & the All-Stars, Hank Crawford, Eddie Floyd and Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs.

Hogan has also toured worldwide with Roberta Flack, mainly in Japan, the Philippines, Australia, Spain, England, Canada and the Bahamas. While working with Roberta, Hogan also appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; opened for jazz trumpet player Miles Davis in the Madison Square Garden in New York City, and shared the stage with The Spinners, Lou Rawls, Little Richard, Clarence Carter, the Platters, Major Lance, the Coasters, Lynn White, Joe Tex, Mary Wells, Martha & the Vandellas, and Betty Wright.

Hogan has opened for vocalist Lenny Williams & comedian Tyler Craig in Spartanburg, SC and for national recording artist Fatburger on June 20, 1998, Norman Conners, Angela Bofill, & Marion Meadows. He also performed with sax player Gene Walker at the Toledo School for the Arts Clinic as well as in Myrtle beach, SC, with The Tams on the show with the Bar-Kays & Eddie Money, Black Family Expo in Charlotte, NC, Columbus, Ohio, Knoxville, TN and beyond.

Hogan has shared the stage with Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Mother's Finest, Tyrone Davis, Williams Bell, Candi Staton, Archie Bell & the Drells. Later he became the music director & lead guitarist for A Good Man is Hard to Find; a national gospel play.

Hogan has released three albums, one of which was called "Dreamin'at Midday" on Depriest Records. It received excellent reviews and exposure on one of the nationally known jazz radio stations throughout the USA. On February 15, 1997 Tootie opened up for Reverend Jesse Jackson celebration of the 37th anniversary of the "sit-in movement" in Greensboro, NC. The release of the second album written and arranged by Tootie was called "Last Flight Out".

Hogan's third & latest CD is "Final Destination". Today Hogan performs with his own four-piece band, which is composed of drums, bass guitar, keyboards and himself on lead guitar.

Hogan admits to being a little showy when he’s playing, "I’ve been known to be an entertainer. It’s all showmanship. I play contemporary jazz and blues, a hip-hop, funk jazz. I play with my teeth, behind my back. That’s what it takes to make it in the business."

Charlotte, NC based video production company Episode XI Studios is working on a documentary about Tootie's life.