I agree with Gruno.  Who cares where he's playing, Kent?!?  If the fans still like him (and yes, they do), then what's wrong with that?  Dave is a showman and a man that does many styles of music.  Sure, if you're looking for the VH-styled flavor in his new 'Diamond Dave' release, then this isn't the recording for you.  Why would you expect Dave to try and emulate something that has been done before (any VH album and his solo 'Eat 'Em And Smile') when he's a showman.  If he wanted to do the the repetitive 'let's make it sound like VH again and again and again,' he could easily do it.  This is in fact one of his best recordings to date, and this coming from someone who could care less about the ongoing VH vs Roth vs Hagar-thing.

Lastly, again about the types of places that dave is playing (that you call bbq joints) ... who cares, really.  Look at what Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard are doing with their new summer tour.  They're taking a small portable stage (sets up in 5 hours, tears down in 3 hours) to small places in the good ol' USofA that artists seemed to forget about since the 60's and early 70's.  Why you ask?  Because they know that there are country music fanatics in those areas, die-hards, that get overlooked every year by huge galatic show tours.  So, Marty and Merle are bringing the smaller shows to them.  What an awesome concept (visit shorefiremedia.com for more info on this).

So, Kent, a man of 'peace and prayers,' loosen that belt and chill a bit about the DLR-thing.  It's old news, and his fans could care less what album he makes ... their gonna go buy it.

I wish you mindful peace, Kent.