Josh Dodes: News

1) In July, Toby Lightman and I stopped in to Napster's studios in L.A. to record a live duo EP for their "NapsterLive" series, and it's finally available (and really cool). If you missed our duo shows opening for Rob Thomas and Jewel, this is a great representation of what it sounded like. You can hear it for free by going to http://www.napster.com/view/album/?id=12284850.

2) "Get Up," my band's first album, has finally joined its younger brother "Freak" on iTunes. This completes my takeover of the virtual music world. Download either or both (just open the iTunes Store and search for "Dodes"), recommend them to friends, and post a review!

I'm pleased and honored to announce I've been endorsed by Nord, maker of the Electro (the bright red B-3/Rhodes/Wurlitzer/clavinet emulator I play live). When it comes to providing players the most authentic range of classic keys in the most efficient package, these guys are the best in the business. (And no, being endorsed by Nord does not mean I'm pressured or paid to say that!)

Touring with Toby Lightman this summer has been, for the most part, Big Fun--an absolutely insane amount of driving (18,000 miles in two months, no joke), but a very cool experience, all around.

-- TWO WEEK FULL-BAND TOUR, OPENING FOR JAMES BLUNT --
With few exceptions, these dates were the best of the summer by far. Toby's full 5-piece band is just killing, and the musical chemistry is amazing. Playing with that lineup has been and continues to be a complete joy. And James Blunt? I'm here to tell you that James Blunt is a friggin' Rock Star. In all my years at or around big shows, I've never seen anything like the frenzy that attends James's gigs. We're talking about a guy who can make thousands of girls completely *freak out* just by cracking a smile. Every night, I thought to myself that this must be a little bit what Beatlemania was like. Wild. Of course, James and his live band put on a powerful show that is much better than the gazillion-selling "Back to Bedlam," so they definitely deserve a lot of credit. Plus, to a man, they're all really cool guys with whom we had a blast in the limited time we had together. Our only regret? Not getting a picture of James and model girlfriend Petra Nemcova cuddling backstage in Austin... weeks before “exclusive” first photos of them together on vacation after the tour leaked to the world! Oh well....

-- SEVEN WEEK DUO TOUR (Toby and me), OPENING FOR ROB THOMAS AND JEWEL --
Red Rocks, Jones Beach, Wolf Trap, Chastain Amphitheatre... what's not to love about a tour that took us to all these famous venues and more, from coast to well-driven coast? While we were sort of the red-headed stepchild on a tour that already had a big opener (Jewel) and a huge headliner (Rob), we tried to make every outing count, and Toby definitely managed to win lots of new fans. Plus, we had the truly amazing opportunity to spend time every day with Rob and his ridiculously talented eight-piece band. Just great people, every one, and no one cooler, nicer, friendlier, or funnier than Rob himself. I just can't say enough good things about him and the players he’s surrounded himself with. If you get a chance to see Rob and his band play, run, don't walk. In the meantime, the DVD they recorded at Red Rocks (easily the coolest venue I’ve ever seen, let alone played!) a couple weeks ago should be a great chance to see the big show from the comforts of home.

I will be touring extensively this summer with Atlantic Records singer/songwriter Toby Lightman, opening for James Blunt, Rob Thomas, Jewel, and Train. All the details are on the "Live Dates" page, but here's the basic info, with more dates to come in the next few weeks.

Opening for James Blunt - full band shows:

Wed. 5/3 -- MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- Teatro Metropolitan, 9:00 PM
Thurs. 5/4 -- GUADALAJARA, MEXICO -- Teatro Estudio Cavaret, 9:00 PM
Sat. 5/6 -- HOUSTON, TX -- Verizon Wireless Theater, 8:00 PM
Sun. 5/7 -- AUSTIN, TX -- The Backyard, 8:00 PM
Mon. 5/8 -- GRAND PRAIRIE, TX -- Nokia Theater, 8:00 PM
Wed. 5/10 -- HOLLYWOOD, FL -- Seminole Hard Rock and Casino, 7:30 PM
Thurs. 5/11 -- LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL -- House of Blues, 8:00 PM
Fri. 5/12 -- CLEARWATER, FL -- Ruth Eckerd Hall, 8:00 PM
Sat. 5/13 -- ATLANTA, GA -- Tabernacle, 8:00 PM
Sun. 5/14 -- NASHVILLE, TN -- Ryman Auditorium, 8:00 PM
Tues. 5/16 -- ST, LOUIS, MO -- The Pageant, 8:00 PM
Wed. 5/17 -- COLUMBUS, OH -- PromoWest Pavilion, 8:00 PM

Opening for Rob Thomas and Jewel - duo shows (just Toby and Josh):

Tues. 5/23 -- CLEARWATER, FL -- Ruth Eckerd Hall, 7:30 PM
Wed. 5/24 -- BOCA RATON, FL -- Mizner Park Amphitheatre
Thurs. 5/25 -- ORLANDO, FL -- TD Waterhouse Centre @ Orlando Centroplex
Sat. 5/27 -- ANDERSON, SC -- Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center, 7:00 PM
(this show is opening for Train and Jewel)
Wed. 5/31 -- PORTSMOUTH, VA -- Harbor Center Pavilion, 7:30 PM
Fri. 6/2 -- ATLANTIC CITY, NJ -- Borgata Hotel Casino
Sat. 6/3 -- ATLANTIC CITY, NJ -- Borgata Hotel Casino
Sun. 6/4 -- UNCASVILLE, CT -- Mohegan Sun

Headlining - full band show:

Mon. 6/5 -- NEW YORK, NY -- Joe’s Pub, 9:30 PM

Opening for Rob Thomas and Jewel - duo shows (just Toby and Josh):

Wed. 6/7 -- SCRANTON, PA -- Toyota Pavilion, 8:00 PM
Fri. 6/9 -- BOSTON, MA -- Bank of America Pavilion
Sat. 6/10 -- WANTAGH, NY -- Jones Beach Amphitheatre
Sun. 6/11 -- HOLMDEL, NJ -- PNC Bank Arts Center
Tues. 6/13 -- COLUMBUS, OH -- Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, 6:00 PM
Wed. 6/14 -- CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH -- Blossom Music Center
Thurs. 6/15 -- DETROIT, MI -- DTE Energy Music Center, 7:00 PM
Sat. 6/17 -- CHICAGO, IL -- Charter One Pavilion
Tues. 6/20 -- NASHVILLE, TN -- Gaylord Entertainment Center
Wed. 6/21 -- BIRMINGHAM, AL -- Verizon Wireless Music Center, 7:00 PM
Fri. 6/23 -- AUSTIN, TX -- The Backyard
Sat. 6/24 -- SPRING, TX -- Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 7:00 PM
Sun. 6/25 -- HIDALGO, TX -- Dodge Arena
Wed. 6/28 -- MORRISON, CO -- Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Sat. 7/1 through Sat. 7-8 -- TBA (several shows in California, details to come)

If you’re looking for a small, creative way to help people affected by Hurricane Katrina, throughout the month of September, if you buy "Freak" (http://cdbaby.com/dodes3), "Get Up" (http://cdbaby.com/dodes) or hundreds of other CDs (http://cdbaby.com/group/redcross) at CD Baby, 100% of the profits will go directly to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund. Consider it a badly needed donation that also happens to give you free music.

Things here at JD Central (“A Place for Ribs”) are busier than ever. It looks like I’m going to be doing a lot more work as the keyboardist for Toby Lightman (Lava/Atlantic Records). Toby’s a huge talent and I encourage everyone to check out her site and her music at http://www.tobylightman.com. Also, check the "Live Dates" page for more gigs with other cool artists, and sign the Guestbook to say hi or submit an order for ribs. (Mmm--delicious ribs.)

I'm proud to announce that Lava/Atlantic Records artist Toby Lightman has asked me to join her band for a June 23rd show in Portland, OR. Toby's an exciting and funky singer/songwriter--Billboard Magazine called her 2004 major-label debut Little Things "a powerful slab of acoustic and soul-drenched pop"--so this outdoor show at Portland's largest outdoor public plaza should be a blast. Check out Toby's website at http://www.tobylightman.com, and check my "Live Dates" page for more info on the show.

Fresh Tracks Music, a cool new music site, is featuring an extensive interview they did with me recently. Though I typically prefer to respond in unintelligible grunts (I'm painfully shy), these guys somehow got me to answer in full sentences about everything from VH1 to band hirings and firings to my new sideman / session player / songwriter career. Check out the Interviews sections on the Links page for how to get there.

Also, by popular request, I've finally added a live track of "Friday In Your Pants" to the Listen page. Plus, ridiculous new humor links and, as always, more upcoming sideman gigs on the calendar. Keep checking back, and hope everyone's well.

I couldn't be any prouder or more psyched to pass along the news that longtime musical partner Adrian Hartley has joined the touring band for Capitol Records' "art-pop" stars Fischerspooner. Over the next few months, there will be a handful of NYC Fischerspooner shows surrounding the release of their new album "Odyssey," as well as select shows in and out of the US. And then, starting in July, the band will be spending several months working and performing on the Spanish island of Ibiza (where I am told both fishing and spooning are popular). Check out Fischerspooner’s website (http://www.fischerspooner.com) for news and shows, and go see a show that is among the most unique in the music business.