Ask the Guru

While we hate pointing out the errors of others -- OK, maybe hate is too strong a word -- we couldn't help but notice that last week's issue of The Met referred to Ronnie Dawson's recent More Bad Habits as his "first studio album since the '60s." Well, that isn't exactly correct -- or even close, really. True, More Bad Habits was the first time Dawson had recorded in a studio in the United States since the '60s (Maine still counts, right?), but his comeback began more than a decade ago, with 1988's Still a Lot of Rhythm. After that, the Blonde Bomber recorded 1989's Rockinitis, 1994's Monkey Beat, and 1996's Just Rockin' and Rollin' -- all in studios. Hey, it was a simple mistake. Could have happened to anyone. No need to mention the fact that Dawson's current label is actually called Yep Roc, not Rep Roc as was reported. We'd never do something like that. (Incidentally, in a cutline accompanying a Jello Biafra photo on page 89 last week, we misidentified Klaus Fluoride as East Bay Ray.)

Fortunately, we did have enough time left over after poring over Dawson's recent discography to catch his appearance on Late Night With Conan O'Brien on July 13. In case you missed it, Dawson's gig on Late Night -- his second -- completed an all-Dallas doubleheader on NBC, kicked off by The Old 97's performing their single, "Murder (Or a Heart Attack)," on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno earlier that evening. Dallas musicians haven't received that much network screen time in one night since Baboon guest-starred on Walker, Texas Ranger a few years ago. Of course, even hanging out with the likes of Harry Hamlin (Dawson) and the world's best singing birds (Old 97's) beats having to spend an evening with Chuck Norris.