Disclaimer: The following are words to read at your own pace, but only if it is understood that there will be times that you have to pick up that pace to get the whole meaning, or at least to that place we all want to be … ish. So, read on or listen if there’s audio forms and if there’s a time and place you can hear straight from the horses..er, Rham’s mouth, well then, GO FORTH AND FILL THE SEATS!
Paid for by no one from no committee. These words come from him.
It all started as a gag. No one would get hurt, especially animals. It was a cool gig. I got to interview farm animals, ride rides, eat food, and just be “Dawson Meadows Fair Guy.” That’s really the beginning of the character that later went on to become Dawson Meadows, but the name itself, to some a mystery, came quite spontaneously. During a short film shoot I was doing with a friend, I played a small role as a news anchor on a local television program. Not being sent a script prior to the day we were shooting, as many things go in my life, wingin’ it, or improvising was more my move. (I feel like really, I improv my way through life. Don’t we all? Yes, and…) So, when the cameras went hot, I opened with the line, “Hello, this is Dawson Meadows and here’s what’s out there!”
From that point the rest is history. No, really, history. Gone. Skit-daddled. I hit a hot streak when I was picked up by my friend who worked at The City Wire (now Talk Business & Politics) and he agreed to a deal where I would send him a video every Thursday and he would add it to his weekly emails. So we did that. Solid. Almost 2 years, maybe a little more. Got a decent following, but the analytics weren’t monumental. Measurable, but with a spoon, when I’d prefer a ladle. Eventually, I’m going to say right now if I’m honest with myself, the a-a-a-lcohol probably was a good reason the whole thing stopped, cause it did stop, I cut off the mustache, and we went about our day.
But as my interest in providing overall humor and good FUN heightens in my newfound sobriety, I have begun to feel the urge to get back behind the camera and do that thing I used to do, or Dawson Meadows used to do. But, I kinda wanna be me, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE 3 or 4 of those, I don’t want another. Just Rham. The “Rham Cam” …could be a thing. But I want it back in the studio, behind a green screen, and satirizing things worthy of satire, the more local the more better!! (It’s okay. I know when I make mistakes and can own up to them. But that was no mistake. “More Better” is my New Year’s Resolution!) And to do that, I’m going to have to find something to scratch this itch… and all I know to do is…..
This is the RHAM CAM
….and here’s what’s out there……
Happy New Year friends. I’m the one talking, and his name is Rham Cunningham. Lots of New Year’s happening all around town over the weekend. I spent my Downtown at The Bakery babysitting a wedding…now I don’t mean “babysitting” I just mean typically a wedding…at The Bakery…on New Year’s Eve… historically…can be um, kinda lit. So, I try to stay close. Keep the ship on course. Drop the anchors at the end of the night. Kinda my thing. Got down to Pendegraft Park just in time to see the ball drop and the fireworks WHICH WERE FANTASTIC! Props to the team in charge of all that. Happy New Year indeed.
Up next. Well. It’s that time of year where time sort of stands still. Hours eventually become days and days eventually become weeks then months, but it takes its sweet ass slow time doing it and honestly the next “holiday” is what? VALENTINE’S DAY. Ugh. Why do we have to have that as a holiday. NO MORE CANDY. Seriously. Speaking of all of the things I’ve shoved in my face over the last 2 months, I was honestly sort of ready for a change and we got it Fort Smith!
Welcome Chipotle to the neighborhood. Went there on their grand opening and it was slammed! It was a pretty long wait, but there were a ton of people, customers and workers. I bet at one time there were 20 people behind that counter working. It was a cool scene to see. New business in town. New jobs. New opportunities. And the food…well I mean IT’S CHIPOTLE! I’ve really not had a lot of Chipotle in my day, but I was absolutely pleased with my meal, that I took to go. Not sure what’s going in next door? But love the growing and going I see around here! Speaking of…. The Bakery District…yes, my home base, headquarters; where I work and live and play and pick up cigarette butts.. (SERIOUSLY STOP THROWING ON THE GROUND, ALL SMOKERS, NOW.) … but lots of seriously cool stuff happening there and available to the public very soon including but certainly not limited to co-working space, open market retail space, a basement that would be a perfect ______, a kid’s play zone, and The Concourse inside the Bakery, currently but soon to be formerly Bookish now. No, Bookish isn’t leaving. Bookish is moving! A new space, yes, inside the Bakery District, 6th Street side private entrance set to be open Spring 2023. It’s going to be amazing. Stop by and see Sara and she can tell you more. But, the area where Bookish is now, The Concourse. This area will be dedicated to provided directional information for those coming on ship for events. Arrows pointing to the coffee shop, Bookish, the restroom, private event rooms, the Pub, etc. The Concourse will also feature incredible artwork from different exhibits throughout the year.
Then, next door, The Mill & Exchange at The Bakery District, set to open by the end of the month! YES! You heard it here folks (just don’t tell Tom or Phil) the Mill (Fort Smith’s premiere creative and innovative CO-WORKING space in Downtown Fort Smith). It’s incredible and I cannot wait to give you a tour. It’s about that time, so, you know the drill. Have your people contact mine, and, well, they’ll take care of the what-not.
Have a great weekend - enjoy the sunshine. Get on a bike! LOVE FORT SMITH OUT LOUD.
That’s all for now.
Rham
