(Dualtone) Texas native, Deryl Dodd's career in music has been an unconventional one. After moving to Nashville in the early 90's, he started his ascent up the ladder, first gaining work playing in the bands of some of the top names in Nashville, then landing a publishing deal and getting a few of his songs recorded. By the mid-90's he'd gained enough attention and respect that he landed his own recording contract. His first album spawned the Tom T. Hall penned hit "That's How I Got To Nashville" and the album won critical acclaim. His sophomore album put him on the fast track, and just as he was about to break through, he had a major health setback when he contracted viral encephalitis.

After a couple of slow years recuperating, once he recovered, Sony was set to have him record his third album. However, to their surprise, he requested he be moved from the Columbia imprint to Sony's new imprint, Lucky Dog which was dedicated to the Texas music market. They viewed it as a demotion, but Deryl insisted and they relented. That album was 2002's Pearl Snaps and the album resulted in two #1 hits on the Texas Music Chart for Deryl, the album's title track, "Pearl Snaps" and "Honky Tonk Champagne." Though that was a modest accomplishment to Sony, it was a big deal for Texan, Deryl. He made up his mind what he needed to do- he parted ways with Sony and returned home to Texas. Once back home, Deryl found himself starting all over again. His first break after returning home was an invitation by The Smith Group to record an album for their Live At Billy Bob's series. That album yielded Deryl another hit on the Texas charts, "Things Are Fixin' to Get Real Good" which stayed in the top 3 for more than 20 weeks. Although he had no recording contract, he decided he needed to cut another studio album, and did just that with his band. He began shopping it around, and after hearing it, Scott Robinson of Dualtone immediately offered Deryl a deal.

The resulting album is Stronger Proof and Deryl's already sitting in the Texas charts' top 5 with the single, "Let Me Be." Stronger Proof contains 10 very strong originals written by Deryl, plus a cover of Kenny Roger's "Love Or Something Like It," that range from stone country two-steppers to raucous, twangy roadhouse rockers. 

Stonger Proof takes off out of the gate with some Buck Owens style Bakersfield heartache on "Never Again." Deryl moves it on over into a George Jones style beersoaked slow shuffle, with the outstanding title track "Stronger Proof," that provides both some clever tempo changes and wordplay where he describes cheating with drinking words. "More Of The Same" combines a winning combination of a Sun era rockabilly feel and twangy Bakersfield guitars in this two-stepper. Deryl delivers a terrific, rowdy and rockin' honky tonk cover of "Love Or Something Like It." "The Crowd" is a poignant, swaying, fiddle-driven ballad where he thanks his fans for hanging in there with him. He delivers two strong ballads, the desperately aching "Outside Lookin' In" and an emotionally tender ode to the love of his life, "She Does The Best She Can."

Deryl kicks things up with and shows off some more of his way with clever words in the country-rocker, "Livin' Where You Told Me To Go." Regret is the theme done up as as a raucous roadhouse rocker in "Something Ain't Always Better (Than Nothin')." Deryl's current single, "Let Me Be" is a blistering declaration of independence, in standout southern fried rock fashion.

Leaving Texas and heading to Nashville, finding success there and being on the brink of stardom, Deryl came full circle. With the brass ring within his grasp, he discovered what was really important to him- being true to who he is and his Texas roots. Being accepted and successful in his beloved Texas means more to him than a successful career in Nashville which would've in turn provided him broader success on a national level. The aptly titled Stronger Proof though, proves that Deryl Dodd is very deserving of having both. 

Standout Tracks: "Never Again," "Stronger Proof," "Outside Lookin' In," "More Of The Same," "Livin' Where You Told Me To Go," "Let Me Be," "The Crowd"

On The Net: www.deryldodd.com www.dualtone.com

AnnMarie Harrington TakeCountryBack November 2004

Read TCB's previous Deryl Dodd review:

http://www.takecountryback.com/reviews/ddrev0502.htm