Q&A with Eric Dodd
An inside look into this year’s Homecoming artist
EricDoddMusic.com
Q: When did you begin writing and playing your own music?
A: I’ve been producing music for five years now, and we just released our third record, “Time To Decide.” I released my debut record in 2007, “Heal,” when I was 21. I’ve been writing songs since I was 16, so I’ve been into music for a while now.
Q: What are your ties to Georgia College and what was your time like here?
A: I was at Georgia College for two years, where I was on the golf team. However, music was always pulling me away from golf. I played Capital City many times while at Georgia College and there was a good music scene in Milledgeville. It was a great way to grow as a musician by being there at that time in my life.
Q: Are you most used to playing for a college-aged crowd?
A: Most of our markets are aimed towards a college-aged crowd, but we’ve played music for people aging anywhere from 13 to 65. We enjoy playing for everyone, but when we’re on tour we make sure to stop in college towns. We know that there are a lot of music lovers in Milledgeville, so we’re excited to get in front of such a great crowd.
Q: What is your favorite venue to play with your band?
A: I played the Georgia Theatre in Athens many years ago, and there is also the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, which are two really premier venues. The band looks forward to getting back to Capital City, and we also play at Cowboys every now and then in Milledgeville.
Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment in music so far?
A: I’ve gotten to play with Zac Brown and Edwin McCain, which have been huge milestones in my career. Releasing “Time To Decide” has been a totally different approach to music, and my songwriting has come such a long way as well. I’ve grown as an artist over the last year, so this record is something I’m really proud of.
Watching artists like Zac Brown grow and become what he has become while getting to know my other mentors, per say, like Edwin McCain have helped me learn a lot. It’s been a journey over the last five to seven years growing as an artist and learning about songwriting as well as performing.
Being able to open for Third Eye Blind at GC will also be a huge milestone, because I grew up listening to them.
Q: Where do you see the Eric Dodd Band in five years, and who do you dream to perform with in the future?
A: In the next five years I would like to see my music on a much larger scale as a national act. Touring around the country instead of the Southeast region is definitely a goal.
I would love to perform with someone like Van Morrison, who is one of my favorite writers and performers. He’s one of the best — I’ve followed his career and seen how he has kept all of the creativity to himself and not let anyone change him. That’s exactly how I want to stay throughout my career.
The first 100 people that visit the Eric Dodd Band merchandise booth at GC’s Homecoming concert will receive a free CD. The band is also in the process of putting together a promotional street team to spread Dodd’s music beyond the Southeast by handing out items like CDs and T-shirts.
GC is only one stop on Dodd’s ambitious spring tour, and the musician promises that students are in for a treat. “We’re so excited to be back in Milledgeville and it’s great of GC to put this Homecoming event on,” Dodd said. “We have a great show planned and even a few surprises.”
Posted by Lindsay Shoemake
on Jan 19 2012. Filed under Features, Lead stories.
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