Don’s Gig Journal

Saturday, November 28th, 2009
Kavarna Cafe & Bar
Decatur, GA

So this was my first full solo set in Atlanta and what a great night it was. I was a bit nervous about it for a few reasons. First off, it’s been a LONG time since I played a brand new venue on my own and second off, I don’t really know anyone in town so I was curious as to how I would go over in strange waters. My wife sent an email out to folks in her department with a link to the new album. Well, it turns out that a bunch of them loved what they heard and 10 of them came out just based on what they heard on line. This was a real exciting thing for me. I knew I had my work cut out for me because if they came out based on what they heard and liked it, I knew I had to put my all into it and make it worth the effort.

The venue itself is really cool. There’s a gorgeous, spacious stage and a really nice PA system with monitors. What a great treat. I made my way to the stage and got all my equipment set up and ready to go. I decided at the last minute to open with “The Rain” because I needed something to loosen me up and something that would cut through and wake everyone up a bit. The place was packed and after the song was over everyone applauded and cheered really loudly. I immediately felt comfortable in my new setting. I introduced myself and then went right into “Another Cowboy Song” which seemed to really catch everyone’s attention.

As the set progressed and I started to pull out a few obscure songs that I don’t play a whole lot these days such as “Lying In Our Bed” and “Wish For Rain”.   I debuted a brand new song called “Brother & Sister” that was inspired by picture of some friends children that was on their mantle.  It went over really well but I was a bit hesitant on it and didn’t feel 100% on this one.  At lease I know that it went over well so I know now that it’ll just become another highlight of my sets in the future.  I actually have a version of me performing this one at home that I posted on YouTube.  You can check it out by clicking here: Don de Leaumont – Brother & Sister.

I decided to add a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Dead Flowers” to the set and this one REALLY captured everyone’s attention but it was “Ghost Town” that really brought the house down. I know it sounds lame to say that one of your own songs brought a house down but literally, I had goosebumps from the reaction that everyone had after this song. You could hear a friggin’ pin drop while I played this song. I just felt really compelled to deliver this song more dynamically than I ever have. As the song came to a close, the place erupted in cheering and applause that literally took my breath away. What a way to close out a show.

This show proved to me that I can pull this off as a solo performer. In all honesty, I’ve had my doubts here and there since leaving the band back in North Carolina and wondered if I’d be able to make this transition back to being a solo performer. I feel that this show just solidified the fact that I can do anything I put my mind to if I want it bad enough. I put everything I had plus some into this show and it totally paid off for me. It was an amazing night for me and I couldn’t be any happier with how it went.

Atlanta, thanks for welcoming me back!