I was just sitting here doing some songwriting and decided that I should update this page. We had this weekend off and so I spent it playing some poker and watching some flicks. Yesterday, Aaron and I went to see “Be Cool.” It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but I think you can wait for the DVD release. Vince Vaughn and the Rock were the best characters. What I’ve really wanted to see is Million Dollar Baby (I may go watch that today).[UPDATE: I did in fact go see Million Dollar Baby. It is a fantastic movie. I was just visiting earlier with my friend Mark Prentice about the movie business and how the situation with film isn't much different than with music. It is common to hear complaints about both industries that all you get is commercialized crap. It doesn't matter if the movie is well written, it just has to have enough good clips (or enough star power)to make the trailer and advertisements enticing enough to get you to go spend your money on it. How many times have you gone to see a comedy because the trailer clips were just so damn funny only to be disappointed when those few scenes turn out to be the movie's only good parts. I realize, of course, that both industries are businesses, not cultural enrichment products turned out for artistic value. I clearly don't expect any high-powered executives to spend their time trying to ascertain what kind of movies and music might please scrutinizing ole Dameon Allensworth. They want to know what they can do to make money. You can't fault a person for making a living albeit a fabulously wealthy one. The point is that I don't think for the most part that people just have bad taste in music or movies (in response to any argument that people must really like what I consider to be bad movies and music since they do well at the box office and record stores). It is usually the case that the same people who watch bad movies really like the same movies I really like in the rare times that such a film gets a major release. It is important to let big decision-makers know that you appreciate their decision to support something good. Let them know that they can make money supporting what you like (since, unfortunately, that's their primary motivation). Email CMT and ask for Jason Boland, thank them for playing Charlie Robison. The next time you hear a Texas/Red Dirt song on your local radio station, call in and tell them how much you enjoyed it. The next time you hear a good live band, let someone at the venue know that you enjoyed the show and would come back to watch again. Finally, go watch Million Dollar Baby, and if you don't like it ask for your damn money back and go rent Alien v. Predator. Just don't miss a Briar Branch Road show to do it.]

I don’t know where to start as far as past shows go. I remember at The Deli that Fitch forgot his drummer seat. We saw him moving from chair to chair in the bar, sitting down and getting up. I couldn’t figure out what the hell he was doing until I finally saw him select a chair and take it to the stage. He then went out to his car and brought in about three pair of folded pants and put them in the seat. Problem solved. It looked pretty damn funny though seeing a regular-looking chair with laundry on it behind the drum kit rather than a stool.

Ada was a great show as usual. Aaron’s dad, Mike, showed up with his wife Cindy. We had him up on stage to play lead on few songs. The best part about the Ada trip was finding Baby Paul. I dropped off some more CD’s at Hastings(they were sold out again). While there, Will, Jay Wiles, and I were looking throught the novelty gifts. We found a small ceramic baby that smokes. He comes with his own little pack of cigarettes(basically, tiny sticks of unscented incense wrapped in paper). We named him Paul Mall, and he can be seen smoking on top of my amp at show near you.

I’ve been doing a bit of songwriting today gearing up for the Acoustic Show this Thursday at Ada. It’s gonna be at The Village and I’m really looking forward to it. Who knows who’s going to be with me [At this point the lineup includes myself, Travis Linville (definitely worth coming to hear his amazing guitar playing), Jay Wiles, and Michael Fitch (he'll be playing some brushes and shaker)], but I’m dubbing the ensemble “Dameon and the Covetors.” It will be a very different show than what you’re used to getting. I’m going to play several of the songs that I’ve written for the next album. Also, I’ll be playing mostly songs you don’t get to hear at the live show. If you want to hear a song from the live show, I’ll be happy to take requests. Acoustic shows are always fun for me because it’s how I started honing my playing and songwriting; playing the living rooms. I wanted to do a more intimate show that reflected my living room days, so I selected a small venue. That being said, remmeber that the Village doesn’t hold a whole lot of people, so I would suggest getting there pretty early for a seat.

Will is taking his MPRE test this Friday so he’s off until Saturday. Saturday, we’ll all be down at The Wall Street Bar in Duncan, OK. This venue is becoming a favorite of Red Dirt Artists and I think it’s going to really be a lot of fun. Hope to see you there, and as always….

Thanks for Lisnen (and buying CD’s and Requesting Music),

Dameon