The Dodd Ferrelle Interview (Suckerpunch Town)

by Sean Polite on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 5:36pm ·

For those of you not in the know, Dodd Ferrelle is a music man with an ever-increasing range of talents, collaborations, projects, instrumental prowess, and renown.

Here is an interview I did with him on the eve of the official release of the music video for the title track of his latest album, "Suckerpunch Town"  It is inspired by the city of Athens, where Dodd is a native performer to.  The song and video poke at the roughage of an enchanting and eerie fast like akin to the musical madness of the Classic City.

A songwriter at heart, you'll hear about his influences in pop, rock, classical, and other fields.  Unafraid to swoop with many to the angelic utterances of Andrea Bocelli, nodding his head to the Fab Four of Liverpool

We did the interview at his own Carriage On The Hill Studios, a coven of a recording facility with the right touches of home.  You'll hear about how his wife's earnest love, artistic merit and surprising grit laid the foundation for the 3-year old creative mecca.

Plucking from an invisible stream of words to capture fine pieces of life's emotional rollercoaster, Dodd proudly pens the bars on his albums.  A sparkling assist from frequent collaborator Betsy Franck brought a simple but sweet hook of a touch to what is a simply marvelous product in the Suckerpunch Town LP.

Appreciative of the spectrum of sound creation, he is times a pop singer, the rock upstart.  For Suckerpunch, he discuss his leap into an impuse to dive into the roots and soul of country and folk tunes.  Never methodical but instinctive is his leap from style to style.

He also has an ear to the world of children's music, knowing a recent project that's swept a wide fanbase, starting with the sweet gesture of a precocious, fun loving pair of hands.

He's available for booking and recording sessions (and gives great note to Chase Park Transduction Studios, where some of Suckerpunch Town was recorded)

Lastly, the video will be touching down, and you'll see me (amongst a tight knit group of fellow local theater performers and sound aces) make a direct hit of cameo in the video.

Please enjoy the interview, and spread the word on Mr. Dodd Ferelle, a denizen possessed of extremely rare opportunity in life's "Suckerpunch Town"

Introducing this year's Strung Out Like the Lights Ferrelle family painting! Last Christmas we raised a lot of money to help those in need! 100% of the proceeds go to the Athens Banner Herald Empty Stocking Fund.


Each $5.00 donation buys you one chance to win this beautiful painting!. This colorful piece of art measures 48" x 30" and will surely liven up any room in your house! We can even take the canvas off the stretcher and roll it up tube size to be shipped anywhere in the world!

GOOD LUCK!!!!

 Suckerpunch Town Summer 2012 release! 

Welcome to Suckerpunch Town. Dodd Ferrelleʼs new record, his 10th full length album and 4th release on Two Sheds Music label. Suckerpunch Town is a spillover from the “Hide the World” sessions. At first “Hide the World” was going to be a double album, but as time passed it was apparent that there were two separate records in the sessions. Hide the World, a pop/rock record, was released in September 2011 and was noted to be “by far the best album I have listened to in ten years" by Beth with RAPID RIVER MAGAZINE. 

Now we find ourselves in Suckerpunch Town. Suckerpunch Town is a more stripped down, raw acoustic based/americana record that reveals the harsh realities that can shadow a life. Dodd pulls no punches on this release opening himself up and letting us all in to his spiritual wonder at the human condition. Because of this, SPT should effect you in one way or another. The album is a collection of tracks from the HTW sessions, new songs recorded in Doddʼs home studio ( Carriage on the Hill studios ) and a few acoustic re-workings of some recent and past favorites. While SPT does not possess the big studio production of Hide The World, the songs are still there and in all their stripped down, raw glory they make you feel right at home in Suckerpunch Town. 

Stay tuned!!!! Suckerpunch Town marks the 3rd and last solo record from Dodd since A Carriage on the Hill 2001. His new band ( to be named soon ) is in the studio with David Barbe recording a full length collaborative effort due in early 2013.

 "Rain Comin' Over the Mountain" is on the 2012 AthFest Compilation CD!
You can stream it over at PASTE MAGAZINE
or purchase a copy from ATHENSMUSIC.NET

 
Dodd wrote a song to benefit the UGA Music Business Program!!

Watch this WSAV TV in Savannah interview and performance.
http://www2.wsav.com/special_section/2011/sep/15/dodd-ferrelle-prepares-new-album-sings-historic-de-ar-2413878/

Thanks Brent and Bold Life Magazine for this great review! Surprised and happy that "Then I Thought of You" was your standout.

CD Reviews: Dodd Ferrelle Hide the World

BULLDOG NATION: The Georgia Bulldogs have another fight song. It was created by the UGA Music Business Program and a portion of the proceeds goes back into the program. The stadium version of the song debuts this Saturday in Sanford Stadium. Download version available at http://godawgs.bandcamp.com/. Learn the song and sing along this Saturday all while helping the UGA Music Business Program.

Radio plays in Scotland!!
You can listen to "Control" on The Rock Show (TPC) from Scotland
rock.thepodcastcorner.com

Savannah Morning News has an interview I did with them. Check it out..

Savannah native Dodd Ferrelle to perform at marker dedication ceremony | savannahnow.com

The reviews are starting to pour in for the new album and so far they are all GREAT!!!

Thanks Jeff and Stomp and Stammer for the kind words in reviewing Hide the World!!
Georgia Music News 09/05/11
www.stompandstammer.com

Hide The World available now from
TWO SHEDS MUSIC

"Dodd Ferrelle just released his most commercial album in 10 years with “Hide the World.” It is also by far the best album I have listened to in ten years."
Beth, RAPID RIVER MAGAZINE, Oct 2011

Dodd Ferrelle sings "Sucker Punch Town," which will be on his latest album, "Hide the World," due out in September 2011.

Update:

Did not win the overall, but had a blast at AthFest Music & Arts Festival/Flagpole Music Awards. It was really fun to watch Cameron's hard work pay off as the video advanced through all the screenings to the top 3!!!

We lost to a really GREAT video by Lovett:

Had a blast at Film Athens Sprockets 6 Festival last night at the 40 Watt. There were some really great videos, and so many wonderful friends came out to vote and support! So proud of Cameron. What an incredible job she did. Control looked great on the big screen!! Now we wait and see if it makes the second cut into the top 5 which are shown during Flagpole awards at the Morton Theater!

Control

I seem to start all my records with the paranoia song from my experiences in Athens and abroad. It was Getaway Clean on Carriage, I Wanna Know on AAT, Hidin' Out on Murder of Love, and now we have Control. Ironic Title.

My buddy ( and wife ) Cameron Bliss Ferrelle created this awesome video for "Control" off the new record now due in September. Out of a record number of entries her video has become a FINALIST in the Sprockets Film Festival ( part of Athfest ). So happy and proud of her. She worked really hard on this project. The scenes were hand painted. We need friends to come out to the screening at the 40 Watt to support. June 18

I am very excited about the Marigold Festival in Winterville this year! There will be plenty of GREAT music and lots of activities for the whole family! I will be playing with the full band on the Front Stage at 11:45 Saturday, May 21!

2011 Winterville Marigold Festival
Schedule of Events

FrontStage
9:00 am In His Image Gospel
10:45 am Curley Maple
11:45 am Dodd Ferrelle
12:45 am Angela Easterling
1:45 pm Kyshona Armstrong
2:45 pm Clay Leverett
3:45 pm efren
4:45 pm Poncho Magic
5:30 pm Easter Island
6:00 pm Five Eight
6:45 pm Line Dancing Instruction
7:00 pm Driftwood – Dancing in the Park

BackStage
11:15 am Redneck Greece
12:15 pm Nathan Sheppard
1:15 pm Eric Johnson
2:15 pm Jim White
3:15 pm Vestibules
4:15 pm Mr. Jordan/Mr. Tonks
5:15 pm The Howard Sisters

Bookstore Stage
11:00 am Darrell Huckaby book signing
1:00 pm Tom Fisch
1:30 pm Marigold Cloggers Reunion
2:00 pm Burning Angels
2:30 pm Lana Rebel
3:00 pm Lara Oshon

Other Activities
8:00 am Country Breakfast at United Methodist Church
8:00 am 5K Family Fun Run/Walk
9:00 am Bicycle Ride to Washington GA to benefit Athens Land Trust
9:00 am Dog Flyball demonstration
10:00 am Parade
10:30 am Dog Agility demonstration by Lucky Dog
11:30 am Safety Third Juggling Show
1:00 pm Safety Third Juggling Show

This will be a great time! Just a few minutes from downtown Athens, so come on out!Great music, great art and coffee!

Hello Hello!!!!!

MACON, GA here we come!!! This Friday February 25th I will be bringing my
new band ( that I LOVE ) to the wonderful Hummingbird Sound Stage and
Taproom. Please Please come out and say hello. We will be debuting songs
of the 2 new CD's I have coming out this year. Hide the World is a rock
record due out April 1st and Sucker Punch Town is an acoustic record due
out in November. The set list is 27 songs long and should have a great
mix of old and NEW!!!! David and Noel Blackmon, TIm Adams, Marcus Thompson
and Brad Fowler are the new band and I can't wait for you to hear what
they have done to the songs!

Thanks and hope to see you at the show!

Time	Friday, December 17 · 7:00pm - 11:30pm
Location	The Office Lounge $5 donation suggested at the door 2455 Jefferson Road (706) 546-0840
	2nd Annual Strung Out Like the Lights at Christmastime Empty Stocking Fund Raiser!!! Featuring Bo Bedingfield, Clay Leverett, Betsy Franck, Welfare Liners, Workhorses of the Entertainment and Recreation Industry, Betsy Inglesby, Dodd Ferrelle, David Barbe w/Todd Nance, Jon Mills, John Neff, Frank McDonnell, Romper Stomper ( members of Widespread Panic and Bloodkin ) , Bloodkin and The Burning Angels. $5 donation suggested at the door. All proceeds go to the Athens Banner Herald Empty Stocking Fund to help those in our city who are in distress.