Hudson grew up in Dallas and received his first guitar on his 10th birthday. He was influenced by MTV, was a fan of heavy metal and early on was influenced by guitarists Steve Vai, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Satriani, and Eric Johnson. Later, Hudson explored the music of jazz guitarists such as Norman Brown and George Benson.
Hudson played lead guitar in the jazz band at Lake Highlands High School, and upon graduating, he attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, earning a degree in psychology in 1999. He then decided to continue his education and enrolled in the MBA program. In October 2000, Hudson was having lunch at the Kismet Cafe in San Marcos and met Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October. Hudson introduced himself and passed along his demo recording to Furstenfeld. Hudson auditioned for the band, and was invited to be lead guitarist. Hudson's first concert with Blue October was December 9, 2000 at Lion's Pavilion in San Marcos. At the end of the Fall 2000 semester, Hudson left grad school with nine hours remaining on his degree, and joined Blue October's Consent to Treatment tour.
Consent to Treatment didn't sell as well as had been hoped, and in 2002 Blue October was dropped from Universal Records. The band decided to continue independently and toured through the end of 2002.
On Blue October's next album, History for Sale, Hudson's heavy metal influence is especially apparent in the song "Somebody" which Hudson co-wrote with Justin Furstenfeld and Blue Miller. In 2003, the band released the album on independent Dallas-based label Brando Records. With their new album, the band tried once more for a major-label deal. They showcased the new material in New York City, and it was the song "Somebody" that sealed a new contract with Universal.
For Blue October's latest album, Foiled, Hudson wrote the music for the popular song "18th Floor Balcony" and his jazz influence shines during live performances of "Everlasting Friend" which features a jazz guitar solo to close the song.
Hudson continues to write and record jazz-influenced instrumental solo material under his publishing name Reflxblue.
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