Broken record time.

How come you guys couldn't throw a little love Deep Ellum's way? Seriously, Public House, since when is that a serious venue for live music? Are the bands gonna have the DJ move his gear to the side or just play in front of him for a few hours?

If you guys can't send even one little band out of 36 over to DE at least stop bitching about the area going to hell in your blog.

Justin, we actually tried to do this in Deep Ellum, but the venues down there were not interested -- something about shooting the messenger, one presumes. But I do think that speaks volumes about Deep Ellum: Hey, hate us all you want, but God forbid the venues seize the opportunity to bring people downtown to hear so many extraordinary bands on a single night.

So, yeah, we asked. Deep Ellum said no. Lower Greenvile said yes. Actually, I believe Lower Greenville said, "Hell, yes." And that's where you'll find us Saturday night.

Damnit, there was a teenie bit of suspicion that could have been the case but I was hoping against hope. Consider me appropriately contrite then.

Robert, could you tell me (email me privately if you wish) which venues or booking companies the Observer approached? I'd like to see if something could be done to end this grudge/pissing match/whatever between DE and DO, if even on a venue by venue basis, I remember articles back four years or so, maybe longer. I'm just a volunteer with DEEP but maybe I can bring some awareness to Ghianna Miller or some of the other people with an actuall stake (business or cultural) in the future of Deep Ellum. That would like to let bygones be bygones.

Thanks,
Justin

Robert is correct. The showcase was "pitched" to the venues in Deep Ellum first....at a cost of $900 per venue. I would venture to guess that there are not many venues in Deep Ellum that could afford to pay to play. Oh well, we'll keeep plodding along down here. I am sure Sat night will be a gas for all involved!

Editor's note: Ah, yes. Well. Our advertising director would like to respond to that one. Amy Jones, the floor is yours. (And who says we're not adapting in This Golden Age of Transparency?:

There were two requirements for the showcase clubs: One, they had to be a current advertiser, and, two, they had to run a half-page ad in the Music Awards supplement advertising Saturday night's showcase lineup.

The Dallas Observer is handling and paying for everything else, including: the back line at all venues, sound (any supplemental needs), all labor for sound & stage, all the bands and additional promotions. We basically do everything for this event, from planning to staffing. And the following Tuesday night's awards ceremony is free to the public; we pay for this entire aspect of the event as well.

Just so you know, we do not plan on making tons of money from this event. In fact, we consider it lucky if we just break even (cross your fingers).

This entire showcase and ceremony is a way for us to showcase that live music in Dallas is alive and well. The venues have a win/win situation here: The expense of paying for the bands, the sound and everything else that goes with that is being paid for by the Observer. All the venue has to do is run a half-page ad, which is most likely much cheaper than the typical expense of a Saturday night. We do not ask for any share of the liquor/beer sales that night; the venue keeps it all.

Hope this helps answer any misinformation.

Thanks,

Amy L. Jones
Advertising Director
Dallas Observer

I just think it's awesome that a ton of nominated bands got write ups in the Observer, except the ones who were unavailable to play. Maybe if the conatacted band had a little more notice and information, more could have taken part.