News from the Studio: A Huge Thank You to the Josie Music Awards! Plus, More Rocking Releases and a Powerful Story Behind the Music!
The amps are still humming with excitement here at Dream Pusher HQ! We're absolutely thrilled, humbled, and incredibly grateful to announce that we've received an official nomination for this year's prestigious Josie Music Awards!
For those who may not know, the Josie Music Awards are a monumental event in the independent music scene, recognizing and celebrating talent from across the globe in all genres. To be acknowledged by such a respected organization, especially one that champions independent artists, is truly an honor that means the world to us.
We've poured our hearts and souls into our music, and this recognition from the Josie Music Awards is a powerful validation of the journey we're on. While our recent EP, "Hodges Country," released on March 28th, has been a deeply personal tribute that's garnered wonderful attention for its country roots and heartfelt storytelling, we're also incredibly proud of the rocking singles we've unleashed this year that showcase the rocking side of Dream Pusher!
We're talking about the raw energy and powerful messages in our amazing rock songs, "Fighting For my Life" and "Another Day." These tracks truly embody the spirit of resilience and hope that defines much of our music, wrapped in an undeniable rock sound that we love to deliver. We've seen incredible feedback on these songs, and their inclusion in our growing catalog is a testament to the diverse musical landscape we aim to create.
And speaking of resilience, we want to shine a special light on the amazing production and profound meaning behind our song, "In The Wind." This track holds a deeply personal significance for us, as it was written in the aftermath of a devastating hurricane that flooded much of our property. The experience of seeing so much swept away, yet finding strength in each other and the will to rebuild, inspired every note and lyric. The incredible production on "In The Wind" perfectly captures that feeling – from its powerful build-ups to its evocative instrumentation, it truly embodies the struggle and eventual triumph over adversity. We believe the story behind this song resonates with anyone who has faced overwhelming challenges, and we're immensely proud of what we created.
This nomination isn't just a nod to our band; it's a testament to:
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The Power of Storytelling: Whether it's the heartfelt narratives of "Hodges Country," the rallying cry of "Fighting For my Life," or the deeply personal journey embedded in "In The Wind," we believe deeply in the stories woven into our songs, and it's incredibly rewarding to know they're connecting with listeners and industry professionals alike.
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The Dedication of Our Team: From the musicians who contributed their talent, to the engineers who helped us craft our sound, and to everyone behind the scenes – this recognition is a shared victory.
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Our Amazing Fans: Your unwavering support, your streams (especially for tracks like "Fighting For my Life," "Another Day," and "In The Wind"!), your shares, and your presence at our shows fuel everything we do. Thank you for pushing our dreams forward!
The Josie Music Awards truly embody the spirit of independent music, focusing on raw talent and artistic integrity. Being nominated is a powerful validation of the path we're on and inspires us to keep creating, pushing boundaries, and sharing our music with the world.
We're counting down the days until the awards ceremony on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the iconic Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. It's going to be an unforgettable night, and we're so proud to be a part of it.
From the bottom of our hearts, a massive THANK YOU to the Josie Music Awards for this incredible recognition. We are truly honored.
Stay tuned for more updates as the awards approach, and thank you, as always, for being on this journey with us. Don't forget to stream "Fighting For my Life," "Another Day," and "In The Wind" if you haven't already – they're ready to rock your world and share a piece of our story!
Keep pushing your dreams,
The Dream Pusher Band
Dream Pusher Honors Late Wife and Mother with Raw and Heartfelt Country EP, "Hodges Country"
April 17, 2025 – Dream Pusher, the musical project of Steve Hodges and his son Daniel Hodges, today announced the release of their deeply personal country EP, "Hodges Country," on March 28, 2025. This emotionally resonant collection of five songs serves as a powerful tribute to Sheri Hodges, Steve's beloved wife and Daniel's cherished mother, who passed away in 2021.
Sheri Hodges's creative spirit lives on through three of the EP's tracks. "Country's Kicking" is an upbeat lighthearted story song that will make you want to dance and sing along, showcasing her knack for infectious melodies and engaging lyrics. "North Carolina" takes a darker turn, a true story penned by Sheri about a man who betrayed his wife and ultimately lost everything. The EP also features "Once in a While," another upbeat track with lyrics and melody by Sheri and music by Steve, which some might call a "divorce anthem," frankly expressing the experiences many face during such a difficult time., and how great it can be when you overcome it! This song also features an amazing fiddle solo near the end of the song by 5x CMA musician of the year Jenee Fleenor.
Driven by a profound desire to ensure Sheri's unique storytelling and musical voice continued to be heard, Steve and Daniel embarked on a heartfelt quest to bring these significant songs to life. Their dedication culminated in the recording of "Hodges Country" in Nashville, Tennessee, with the invaluable contributions of world-class musicians. The resulting EP is a testament to their commitment, capturing the raw emotion and authentic narratives embedded within Sheri's songwriting, complemented by Steve's musical arrangements.
In addition to Sheri's compelling compositions, "Hodges Country" features two other deeply personal tracks inspired by her memory: "So I Can Love Her" and "Where I Want to Be." These songs further explore the profound love and enduring impact Sheri had on Steve and Daniel's lives.
"This EP is a raw and honest reflection of life's complexities, as seen through Sheri's insightful songwriting," says Steve Hodges. "Her ability to capture both the joys and the struggles of human experience is truly remarkable, and we are honored to share these songs with the world."
Daniel Hodges adds, "Mom had a way of telling stories through her lyrics that was both captivating and relatable. Bringing these songs to life with Dad has been a powerful and healing experience, and we hope listeners will connect with the genuine emotions and narratives within each track."
"Hodges Country" is not only a unique and heartfelt addition to the country music landscape but also a collection of songs with real, often challenging, stories behind them. It is a powerful reminder of the enduring power of family, the complexities of relationships, and the lasting impact of a gifted storyteller.
Track Listing:
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Country's Kicking (lyrics and melody by Sheri Hodges, music by Steve Hodges)
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North Carolina (lyrics and melody by Sheri Hodges, music by Steve Hodges)
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Once in a While (lyrics and melody by Sheri Hodges, music by Steve Hodges)
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So I Can Love Her (inspired by Sheri Hodges)
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Where I Want to Be (inspired by Sheri Hodges)
"Hodges Country" is available now on all major streaming platforms.
About Dream Pusher:
Dream Pusher is a musical project formed in 2017 by Steve Hodges and his son Daniel Hodges. Driven by a passion for creating meaningful music, their latest release, "Hodges Country," is a deeply personal tribute to their late wife and mother, Sheri Hodges, and showcases her compelling songwriting.
Keeping Music Alive
JIM RILEY Drums
(RASCAL FLATTS)
(Jim Riley - DRUMMERWORLD)
(Jim Riley's Drum Dojo (moderndrummer.com)
(Here's How Older Guitar Students Learn Best (youtube.com))
TOM WILD Guitar
(GRAMMY AWARD WINNER)
(The Session Players: Players: T. Wild)
JENEE FLEENOR
(5x CMA AWARD WINNER)
(STUDIO VERSION)
(Jenee Fleenor - Wikipedia)
ARIA STILES Fiddle
(PAM TILLIS FIDDLE PLAYER)
(LIVE VERSION of 100 Year War)
(Rising Stars: Meet Aria Stiles - NashvilleVoyager Magazine | Nashville's Most Inspiring Stories)
BILL WATSON Bass
(RECORDED WITH COUNTRY LEGENDS)
(Bill Watson Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | AllMusic)(Top Music Producer in Nashville - Nashville Trax)
STEVE KING- Piano/keyboards
(BERKLEE GRADUATE, KEITH URBAN)
(STUDIO VERSION)
(Steve King (tnstate.edu))
SAMANTHA WATSON- KEYBOARDS (LIVE VERSION OF 100 Year War)
MIXED BY MARC FRIGO
(PlatinumMixer - Marc Frigo, Multi-Platinum Mixer/Engineer)
Best Sellers
About Steve Hodges
Throughout the course of his musical career, Steve Hodges has written songs,played along some amazing musicians and performed many great shows. A lifelong guitar player singer songwriter Steve's first original band sold out their first concert and from there it was clear that music was something he would do the rest of his life.
About Dan Hodges
Throughout the course of his musical life, Dan Hodges has made playing guitar,writing songs and singing number one. Starting out at the age of 5 learning guitar Dan Made his first TV singing debut alongside his dad in the family's restaurant commercial. Now playing a mean lead guitar and lead singer. DAN HAS AMAZING TALENT AND A BRIGHT FUTURE IN MUSIC!
