Chronicles of Dustin Ashley Beam

This weekend I had the opportunity to perform with The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in the Yuletide Spectacular. During the second performance on Saturday, I took note of the amazing opportunities I have been given as a performer this year. It has been a year of firsts and I have actually done well making money merely by performing. What a blessing. I must admit that I am not really into the Holidays this year due to my Father being gone, my Mother's recent visit to the hospital, my Grandfather being in the Hospital, etc. but it is always a thrill to sing Christmas music. No matter your beliefs there is some moving and beautiful literature out there to perform. My Mother and I will make the most of this Holiday, but we have decided that 2008 is our year... The year I enter my third decade of living. Which brings me to my best friend in the world, Jeremy Keith Jones Ricketson: Happy Birthday on December 25th. You are a giving, compassionate, witty, deep original. So original that I m

What a few years it has been... from living in NYC attending a musical theatre conservatory and hitting the audition circuit to moving home to AR to obtain a darn piece of paper to losing my Father (not in a oops where is he in Target kinda way, but as in he departed this realm of consciousness), to having a year of identity renewal and being blessed with a slew of enriching artistic opportunities. This I know.... I miss my Father everyday. He was an original. Depression stinks. Popcorn, chocolate, Easy Mac, Dr. Peppers, and the series FRIENDS help one through it though. I feel empowered to be myself and really live my life.... to soak in the fun and learn from the tragic. I saw Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium yesterday and I want to see it on a continuous loop for an indeterminate amount of time. In the past few months I have performed with an outstanding group of musicians in Italy and had the good fortune to be invited to sing several solo gigs at luncheons, conventions, churches