Bobby Hodge, born July 16, 1932, in Gastonia, North Carolina, was a distinguished country music artist whose career spanned several decades. Raised in a modest Southern household, he taught himself guitar, inspired by Gene Autry's "Don't Fence Me In." In 1947, he became the featured vocalist for Bill Darnel's band, leading to a 15-minute segment on WGNC's "Hillbilly Time in Caroline," alongside future legends like Don Gibson and Earl Scruggs. After serving in the army, Hodge relocated to Wisconsin, where he hosted a popular radio show on WKOW and adopted the stage name "The Rainbow Ranger." His recording career began in 1958 with the self-penned "Gonna Take My Guitar" on the Rebel label. Hodge's authentic honky-tonk style and dedication to traditional country music earned him a respected place in the genre until his passing on December 29, 2011. ([fromthevaults-boppinbob.blogspot.com](https://fromthevaults-boppinbob.blogspot.com/2025/07/bobby-hodge-born-16-july-1932.html?utm_source=openai))