Dodson produced CD nominated for Grammy

by Jazz Clark
Berkeley Springs native Dale Dodson recently produced an album nominated for Best Country Album of the Year at the upcoming Grammy music award show.

A Jamey Johnson tribute album to country legend Hank Cochran, the album faces competition in the same category from artists such as Miranda Lambert and Hunter Hayes.

Dodson co-produced the record in Nashville with Buddy Cannon.

“This blows my mind. You could never have made me believe when I was younger an album I produced could win a Grammy,” Dodson said.

He doesn’t want to jinx his chances, but he thinks the record is hot. The album features legendary artists like Elvis Costello and Merle Haggard singing with Johnson.

Dodson traveled the country recording tracks wherever the artists happened to be. Most of the production eventually took place in Nashville.

A list of 35 Cochran songs was whittled down to 16 for the album. Dodson got almost every performer on his wish list.

“Hank was such a close artist to me and had such a body of work,” said Dodson. “We really wanted to breathe some life into these classic songs.”

The winner of most of the country categories will be announced on Sunday, February 10, the day of the award ceremony, but will not be part of the television broadcast.