backbone

Next month we'll be celebrating the 15 year anniversary of the Independent with a special 50 page Anniversary edition which will include many fond and funny glimpses back at the evolution of The Revolution (it's original name) as seen through the eyes of those who have been with us nearly from the get go: Josh and Adam, Kevin and Kyle, Lily and the Late, Great Dr. Ralph. Rich and Rob (or is that Rob from the Rich?) And many more. We'd also like to include a bit of candid comments and remarks from our friends and readers, other less-frequent contributors, and hopefully a lively sampling of thoughts, suggestions, fleeting notions, critiques, tweets, and other colorful commentary From YOU!!! Email us at editor@infowest.com. Or write, rant, ramble or draw and send it along to Po Box ;aldkf;lkd; St. George, Utah 84770.
As part of our ongoing effort to introduce our readers to the people responsible for the creation of the Independent, last month we featured Independent movie maven Adam Mast. Adam has been writing for the paper for just a few months shy of it's entire 15 year run. This month we're pleased to feature our Graphics-Guru, the always calm and competent go-to guy Josh Segovia. When I first met Josh I had just succumbed to my wife and kids wishes to shear my lengthy locks, what I called my Jerusalem look. At the time Josh was wearing his hair long and I remember being jealous of his cool hair and his Latin looks – he looked like Javier Bardem and I looked like Kevin Smith.
Josh is a truly mellow soul, easy going to a fault and with his headphones tuning him into a secret head groove he quietly goes about doing the work of three entire departments without an iota of the anxious drama that often surrounds him. He is the calm at the eye of the storm, with a natural eye for design, a multi-tasking mind and the transcendental disposition of a saint. He never even pauses when a favor is asked and because of his patience and kindness at first I really had him figured for some kind of weird holy man. When I found out that he was listening to KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic on his earbuds all notions of the weird stranger were dispelled. As we worked side by side one day I couldn't help but ask him what it was like to be so friggin' cool?
It probably has something to do with his childhood. Josh was born in El Salvador but mostly grew up in South Central L.A. From Central America to South Central – America. Wisdom would dictate keeping a low profile, refrain from engaging in unnecessary talking, and learning a skill that will get you up out that neck of the woods.
His parents bought a house in St. George and though by no means sold, he gave So Utah a try. Hey it ain't Compton, but for someone gives the expression "chill" all new meaning, he might very well bring down the summer heat a degree or two.
You might well wonder how a kid from the urban jungle of gang-ridden south Central to what must seem like a Norman Rockwell setting by comparison. After Josh graduated High School he learned his craft at alsdkfj in Long Beach with an Associates degree in Art and Design, his parents moved here and I decided to give it a try an wound up liking it here. Having been with the paper for 4 years he's worked his way into being completely indespensible. Josh's earliest memories are about drawing. Art has always been like second nature, it's something idea to relax and keep my self entertatained. I never would have imagined it was something I could make a living at.
As far as working here at the Independent Josh figures it must have been fated. It was the first Job I looked into and when I came in the other Josh said he needed a designer who was bilingual and I was hired on the spot. I guess they were toying with the idea of a Spanish edition of the Independent, After seeing how crazy this place can get around press time, I'm not too surprised that they scrapped that idea.
To supplement his income Josh works at a facility that takes care of the elderly, "I didn't really know what to expect, but after several months of it, it's grown on me a lot. I've come to really respect them and enjoy their nature. Oh and I make a mean grilled-cheese sandwich. Even the ones who have difficulties visually have come to know me by my grilled cheese.
I've got terrific news for all of you special young ladies out their, Josh is a bachelor and claims to be waiting for that one special girl. Josh loves hiking the local mountains, snowboarding and is an aspiring musician. When I asked him where he would like to see himself in 5 years, he paused a moment or two then admitted he'd like to be headlining in an Electronica act the world over.

Of all the many promising musical acts that have come and gone during my affiliation with this paper (going on 15 years) The Younger Brothers, Sam Payne Debbie Graham, Stacy Lee, The Trigger Locks - I'd have to say that Eric Dodge is the one whose given himself the best chance at success on a national level and beyond. On Home To Me, his 4th Album, Eric has made the most of his experience in Nashville, recruiting a mean-pickin' core of studio musicians, as well as a handful of veteran songwriters who have penned hits for the likes of George Strait, Faith Hill, and Montgomery Gentry to name but a fewof Country music's elite.
Dodge co-produces the record with his brother Andy and they done a nice job of keeping Eric's all-American voice out front of all the musical fireworks, while at the same time knowing when to give the hired-gun studio-studs free reign. Their clever use of dynamics is perhaps best demonstrated on album-opener "Talkin' Dirty." Mike Durham starts off his lead with some chunky distorted riffs that morphs effortlessly into a soaring Van Halenesque romp, which breaks off into a spare and tasty bit of banjo plinking which bridges back into the verse.
Eric does bring it back home on "Home To Me" by penning the song "In The Country" with local singer/songwriter Phil Theobald (half of the bygone local faves The Younger Brothers) high among my favorites. He also co-wrote the emotional album closer "The Last Real Cowboy" A heart-rending ballad with a message that hits home to everyone nevermind if they know what a Stetson even is.

The album is a well balanced mix of heartfelt ballads and country rockers along with a gorgeous Gospel-tinged "Better Days to Come" which is the highlight for me in an album full of highlights. You could argue that he's followed a tired and true formula (The Rodeo song, the brave soldier song, pining for the lost love song, the America is great patriotic song, even a "Live like you were dying" song and of course several Good old boy Country tunes) but by the same token it all works like a charm because the songs are good and delivered with passion and consummate skill.

Eric has gone about his career as though it were a science: First of all he delivers not only what Country fans want to hear, but are used to hearing. He delivers if in first class form – with a voice that has been practiced and trained into a strong instrument that's well suited to the professional backdrop that supports it. Eric has also learned to use the many advantages of our multi-media world to help spread the word of Dodge. He's got his own web radio show and he fires off bi-weekly E-mail missives that keep his fans up to date on all things Eric Dodge. The format of his radio show has recently changed and he had this to say about it: "I'm quite excited about the changes to the show. The new format is helping increase the number of listeners which certainly makes it funner and more exciting for all of us. By all means join us "Live" there'll be live music, a live chat, and a live webcam. Here is the link, Tuesday night at 7pm MST http://www.blogtalkradio.com/flylady
We've also built a great reverbnation page and are relaunching our song "The Last Real Cowboy" to radio again. Please go to both our facebook and reverb page and click LIKE, the stronger our social media is the better we'll do. Also when our facebook page hits the 5000 member, we will give away more money. We are less then 800 fans away so spread the love.
Here are the links
http://www.reverbnation.com/ericdodge
http://www.facebook.com/ericdodgemusic