STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
By Diamond Dallas Page

Yo Cutters…

What’s up? Me…going a thousand miles and hour, (So, what else is new? - Rich). Wow, what a week. From Trick Pony to Billy Bob Thornton to Rob Zombie. It all started last week on the road with the Ponies…that would be country music sensations, Trick Pony. Their first album, called Trick Pony, just happened to go platinum last week and their new album On A Mission is up for Album Of The Year. It all came about around three weeks ago when I ran into bass player, vocalist, and one of the funniest SOBs I ever hung out with, Ira Dean, and he asked me to come on the road with them for a week to help inspire and focus their what I call “centergy” (my term – yes I made that up). The first day of the tour was in Turlock, California. I flew in from L.A. to San Francisco and into Turlock to meet Ira in the lobby of the Doubletree. Ira said, “Bro, you just missed Billy Bob Thornton.” I was like – No way, I love that guy. He told me not to worry because we were going to see him that night after the show. Right then, that handsome bastard (and Burt Reynolds look-a-like – if you saw last week’s Country Music magazine), guitar player and vocalist, Keith Burns and the red hot blonde bombshell Heidi Newfield showed up. And she is… RED HOT. After the Ponies put on a sold out, hanging from the rafters musical extravaganza (in other words, a kick-ass show) we headed back to the hotel to meet Billy Bob. This is where I wish I had a camera rolling at all times because between Billy Bob and Ira Dean telling stories it was non-stop laughter. I actually saw Billy change from one character to another as he told the stories. He must have gone into 7 different characters while telling his stories. He must have thought I was the Ponies’ bodyguard until the 12 o’clock shift came at the Doubletree and the new girl at the desk came in and asked Billy Bob for his autograph. While he was graciously signing, she looked at me and said, “And I know who you are, too. You’re Diamond Dallas Page. You’re one of my favorite wrestlers.” You should have seen Billy Bob’s face. Priceless. We signed the autographs and continued on with the festivities.

When it was time to leave, we got these pictures. I said to Billy, “Hopefully next time we see each other it will be in one of your movies.” After him asking me a few questions, he let me know he has a movie coming out this January called Night Watchman and there are three cops in it. He thought I would be perfect as one of them. I’ll let you know if anything comes of it.

Spent five days on the road with the Ponies and had a tremendous time. When I left there, everyone was centergized. (I’ll explain more on that concept over the next few months.) This week, I had Cody Rhodes, Dusty’s son, in town. This Little Dream’s got big dreams… if you weeeellll. Last year he went 48-0 and won the state championship in the 189-weight class as an amateur wrestler…you know, the fake stuff. For this accomplishment, Dusty and I had him come out here so he could start focusing on his next dream, which may be college for now, but eventually will be the silver screen. While Cody was in town, one of the things he had to do was go to Rob Zombie’s party last night for his DVD release of House of 1,000 Corpses. Rob throws one of the greatest parties ever…always. I just wish I’d gotten pictures of Cody with all the strippers, but I couldn’t find my camera at the time. This was one kick-serious ass party. You fill in your own blanks.

I got a lot of feedback from people who saw me promoing Slamball. And yes, it was me…me…D D P. My buddy, Eric Pankowski, is one of the producers. (Who can’t return a phone call, by the way!) By the time he reads this, I’ll be in Japan. He got me tickets to one of the games, which I love. It’s a combination of gymnastics, rugby, hockey, wrestling…and oh yeah…basketball. These athletes are incredible. After watching the WWE, stay tuned and check it out. It is live.

Last but not least, tomorrow morning I am leaving for two days in Hawaii, two days in Guam, and five days in Japan on the World Freedom Tour. I’m going along with Debbie Dunning of Tool Time fame and you know when I go on something like this for our troops in the U.S. Navy, I will be Mickey Mouse in tattoos to the Nth degree. Signing autographs, taking pictures with the World Title, kissing babies, and motivating, inspirating and stimulating our troops… I guess the stimulating will be Debbie’s job.

I want to give props to the WWE for calling on DDP this last Thursday on Livewire to find out what’s down with DDP. I’ll give ya the scoop with plenty of pictures from our troops on the Pacific Rim when I return.

As usual…Badda Bing…It’s been your pleasure…as well as mine…
Diamond Dallas Page