Big Rich Legal Drama

Defamation case dismissed against Big Rich Texas star Bon Blossman

After more than a year of wild accusations, including stripping and gold-digging, the real-life legal drama of reality television show Big Rich Texas has come to an end. Dallas co-stars Bonnie Blossman and Pamela Martin-Duarte had been engaged in a bitter defamation lawsuit since April 2012, when Martin-Duarte sued Blossman for allegedly making disparaging comments about her.

Dallas County district judge Carl Ginsberg has dismissed all the claims against Blossman "with prejudice," meaning they cannot be refiled. Martin–Duarte sued Blossman for libel and slander, business disparagement, tortious interference with contract, and conspiracy. Specifically, Martin-Duarte took issue with statements that she was a stripper, a drunk, a sociopath and a gold digger.

Blossman, represented by attorney Bob Latham of Jackson Walker, moved to have the claims dismissed on multiple grounds, including the context in which the alleged statements were made. Ginsberg granted the motion August 26.

"I am very pleased with the outcome of this case," Latham says. "Reality TV thrives on confrontation and controversy, and if cases based on those exchanges were allowed to proliferate, the courts would be very busy indeed."

Big Rich Texas debuted on the Style Network in 2011 and has run for three seasons. The reality television show focuses on the life and drama of wealthy Dallas women and their daughters.

Martin-Duarte had also originally named Park Cities residents Dena Miller and Merritt Patterson as defendants. They were later dropped from the case.

Although none of the original defendants remain, Martin-Duarte is now pursuing the case against Houston-based author Carl Henegan, with whom she co-authored the book Hard Whispers in 2011. Martin-Duarte's lawsuit against Henegan is set to go before a Dallas jury on October 22. He is representing himself.

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RIP Mark

Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65

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Mark Ridlen RIP

A bright and colorful light in Dallas' music scene went out: Mark Ridlen, DJ and musician, passed away on November 17, following a bout with cancer; he was 65.

From his appearance in Ron Howard’s 1978 directorial debut, Cotton Candy, to his groups Quad Pi, Lithium X-mas, and a plethora of side projects with scores of DFW musicians, to his full-time job as a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

He surfed pretty much every musical wave: from Dallas' epochal dance music scene in the early 80s, to punk rock to his role as one of Dallas' top DJs — the guy you called when you wanted your event to be cool and fun.

Ridlen had been quietly battling kidney and lung cancer for the past three years. Over the summer, he had his second kidney removed, which meant he was on dialysis treatment a couple times a week.

He remained upbeat, but according to friends of the family, two more tumors were recently found in his brain. His family and friends decided to forego further treatment and were by his side when he died.

He remained in demand until his passing. In May, he DJed a party at the Kessler Theater, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Starck Club, the legendary '80s dance music club designed by Philippe Starck, which had a huge influence on Dallas, and which Ridlen was part of.

He was invited to DJ at the Starck Club when it opened in 1984 and remained in that role until the club closed in 1989.

Reid mark ridlen Mark Ridlen (right) with close friend Reid RobiinsonFacebook

From there, he migrated to Expo Park, the underground neighborhood across from Fair Park where art and music ruled. His stints at XPO Lounge, Double Wide, and other neighborhood venues made him a staple in the community.

At the same time, he was a member of Lithium Xmas, a psychedelic art-rock band which he formed with acclaimed musicians Chris Merlick and Greg Synodis.

He was also a pop culture savant with a comprehensive knowledge of music, who balanced a low-key charm with a vibrant sense of style, whether it was a vivid pop-art tunic or a flashy sequinned jacket, he did it all with originality and panache.

In late August, a large circle of musicians and friends rallied to participate in a benefit for Ridlen, to help pay for his medical costs — a sweet indication of the high regard in which he was held.

“I do want people to know that I am not being slowed down by cancer,” Ridlen said at the time. “I'm ready to continue working. I have more-or-less a clean bill of health for the moment, and hopefully that doesn't change.”

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