by Sarah A. Peterson-Camacho
A magic trick consists of three parts–the pledge (the set-up), the turn (the trick), and the prestige (the magic, where the unbelievable becomes believable)–but there’s also a certain nostalgia involved, for a time when anything seems possible. The same can be said of the Central Valley’s Prestige, a band that conjures the real magic that a stage magician’s trick can only imitate.
The quintet (including drummer/vocalist Jeff Dodd, lead guitarist/vocalist Nick Dodd, vocalist/percussionist Tina Lockwood, keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Ladislao Prado, and bassist Jerry Coleman) have been bringing the music of the 1960s and 1970s to life for almost five years, and here band member Jeff Dodd talks the past, present, and future of Prestige.
KRL: How did the group meet, and how long have you guys been a band?
Jeff: At the end of 2013, Keyboardist Danny Hernandez and I (who were playing bass guitar at the time) left a band we had been performing with, wanting to put together a new band of professionals. Not necessarily professional musicians, but professionals in our “full-time” jobs. We believed if we were professional in our regular job, we would be professional on stage. A Craigslist ad went out, and Tina Lockwood was selected as the vocalist. A drummer and guitarist were added and the first Prestige line-up was complete, and we started performing.
After a few shows, the original drummer had to resign, and I switched from bass guitar to drums (I had originally been a drummer before playing bass). His son, Nick Dodd, stepped in to handle the bass guitar duties, but later switched to Lead Guitar (his primary instrument) when the need arose. Next on bass guitar was Ladislao Prado, who was selected to fill the position, but then when Prestige’s original Keyboardist Danny Hernandez moved to the coast and left the band, he moved to keyboards. Finally, Jerry Coleman was brought in to play Bass Guitar. So all of the musicians in Prestige, except our singer Tina, have played bass guitar for the band at one point. The band has been performing together for almost five years.
Prestige
KRL: Who came up with the band’s name, what does it mean?
Jeff: Original keyboardist Danny Hernandez came up with the name Prestige, which denotes respect or admiration. Our goal was to be viewed as professionals on and off stage.
KRL: What musical genre do you play?
Jeff: We primarily play Classic Tunes of the 60’s & 70’s which includes music from the likes of Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt, Tina Turner, Santana, and Cold Blood. We also take you back and forth a few decades in a “Musical Time Machine” and perform some classic singers like Etta James, Patsy Cline and Selena.
A little something for everyone! R&B, Classic Rock, Motown, Country and more. We play memories! The Soundtrack of your Life!
KRL: Who did you listen to while growing up?
Jeff: All of us grew up listening to a wide variety of artists and bands. Great music comes in all genres and eras. That is probably why we perform a wide variety of music. 
KRL: Who are your biggest musical influences?
Jeff: There are too many to list because we never limited ourselves to one specific type of music.
KRL: Did you guys always want to be musicians?
Jeff: We have all been involved in music most of our lives, so I would say yes we’ve always wanted to be musicians.
KRL: Where have you played locally and/or abroad?
Jeff: Prestige has performed throughout the state at numerous Festivals, Wineries, Casinos and Street Fairs in the Central Valley and the Central Coast, including Tachi Palace Casino, Chukchansi Gold Casino, Kings County Fair, Morro Bay’s Avocado/Margarita Festival, D’Anbino’s Winery, ApCal, Ramos Torres Winery, BarrelHouse Brewing Company, Derby Wine Estates and Broken Earth Winery.
KRL: Does Prestige have any Christmas/holiday events coming up? When/Where?
Jeff: Prestige will be performing during the Selma Christmas Light Parade in Downtown Selma on Saturday, December 1, 2018. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Look for Prestige on the Kratos Music Center and Gifts float.
KRL: Any other events/performances you’d like our readers to know about?
Jeff: Prestige has a few more performances before the end of the year. You can see our complete schedule on our website at www.prestigeband.net or on our “Prestige” Facebook page.
KRL: What is the best part about making and performing music?
Jeff: Watching the audience enjoying the music, dancing, singing along, or tapping their foot with the music! We like to get the audience involved in our shows. They become part of the show and we truly appreciate our VIPs (Very Important Prestige fans). One of our mottos is “We Play Memories” and when our music brings back those memories to the people it’s magical!
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