Greg Dodd

Location: Melbourne, VIC

Challenge: Tourettes Syndrome

Website: gregdoddandthehoodoomen.com

Greg Dodd has been playing blues guitar for some years now, after first hearing the genre at 18.

Greg says "From the minute I heard blues music, I was hooked. The blues to me seems different to a lot of other forms of music as it seems like it’s coming straight from your soul". As well as regularly playing gigs in and around regional Melbourne, Greg has toured extensively around Australia playing at almost every major blues festival.

Greg has often been called to play alongside some of our countries best but none greater than the “Godfather” of Australian blues, the late Dutch Tilders.

In 2013, Greg represented the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society as a Blues Performer of the Year in Memphis TN at The International Blues Challenge performing at B B King’s Club as a semi-finalist.

When watching or listening to his guitar playing, you will instantly be drawn to his soul stirring emotional style.

Greg's band Greg Dodd and The Hoodoo Men would be described as having a Chicago style sound, having been influenced by the greats of the windy city.

Greg says "Having Tourettes can be challenging in life but playing music gives me the escape I need! It's a noted fact that Tourettes sufferers refrain either completely or somewhat less when performing & playing music. Sometimes I feel as though Tourettes gives me an edge in playing the blues as I can release my pain and frustration & take it out on my beloved Stratocaster!"

The band’s debut CD 3am blues LIVE was #1 on the Australian blues & roots airplay charts for two months when released, & also took out second place in 3 categories in the MBAS Vic/Tas awards. It was also voted by The MBAS as best self produced album 2013-2014 & will be entered into the ‘Best self produced album' category awards at the International blues challenge 2015 in Memphis TN.

Their performances are a mixture of up-tempo swings, shuffles and boogies as well as a good selection of slow blues with fiery guitar licks and dynamic harmonica riffs delivered with intensity straight from the heart – as all blues music should be played!

In 2014 the album 3am blues LIVE was awarded best blues album of the year in the Age Music Victoria Genre awards.

Greg Dodd & the Hoodoo Men - "You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had"