The family moved to Ithaca, New York, where his father earned his Ph.D., then again to Dallas, Texas, in 1964 where Burnet served as Chairman of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Department of Theater.

In 1978, after entering the University of Illinois Music Department, Hobgood returned to classical study with British pianist Ian Hobson.

In 2003 he received a Deems Taylor Award, given by ASCAP for the year's outstanding music journalism, for his article, “The Art Of The Trio”, published by JazzTimes magazine.

It features Pinsky's energetic readings of his poems with an emphasis on musical phrasing coupled with Hobgood's improvised accompaniment, played live in studio.

In April and May 2014 Hobgood began a new collaboration with Chicago vocalist Tammy McCann, arranging, playing and producing her "Love Stories" project.

In December 2014, Hobgood recorded a new trio project, Honor Thy Fathers, with bassist John Patitucci and drummer Kendrick Scott, scheduled for September 2015, release.