Music

Ballas' 'DWTS' blog: Perfecting our paso

By Mark Ballas, Special for USA TODAY

This week's dance: The paso doble

Week 2 done and hopefully 8 more to go.

Last week, we had a rough time with the judges but our awesome and loving fans pulled us through, for which both Bristol and I are super grateful.

It was definitely a challenge doing a country quickstep, but I was happy to try it since dancing to Bristol's favorite Gretchen Wilson song inspired her. Ultimately, we want to enjoy this process and if it takes a country quickstep, we're going to do it!

The country music and get-up for last week's quickstep were all Bristol's doing. She'll also have a lot of input into this week's paso, a dance she scored well with during Season 11.

Since my dad's side of the family is from Houston, shooting guns was not new to me. We had an awesome time and I think Bristol was surprised at how well I handled a revolver! I do have to say, she was a hell of a shot with the shotgun.

The judges slammed us a little for breaking hold this week, but it's OK. We wanted to use the song to its full capacity and really capture the country feel. Breaking hold is a risk and you never know whether the judges will let you get away with it. We weren't the only couple to do it this week, although we were the only couple that paid for it.

As always, we want to thank our fans for keeping us alive to dance another week. It's never fun to see anyone go home and we will all miss Joey Fatone. He's is such a goof and so much fun backstage that I know his absence will be noticed.

This week is going to be interesting because the celebrities have creative control and get to choose the theme, the costumes and choose a fan favorite song from past seasons. The theme is "Iconic Dance Week," which should be pretty fun.

I'm enjoying Bristol's creative input. So far, it's been a good time, and a new challenge for her. Our dance is the paso, which was one of her highest-scoring dances last time around, so we shall see how this one goes.

Two blokes backstage: After last Monday's episode, Mark hotfooted it across town to see singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran's concert at the Wiltern. Here they are hanging out after the show.

After Bristol and I finished the press line on Monday night, I literally dashed out and hopped in a cab to catch one of the best live shows I've seen in a while: Ed Sheeran's concert at The Wiltern. It really goes to show that if you have real musical talent, then all you need is a guitar. Ed's songs are catchy, meaningful and filled with heart and soul. His lyrics are metaphorical and sensitive. (Can you tell that I'm really into his music?)

Ed is English and having grown up in London myself, I really appreciated the British wit and banter he sprinkled between songs. He kept the audience engaged the whole time and had them singing along in harmony, which was surprisingly in tune. Ed had a lot of swag and confidence on stage, and in my opinion, is one of the best up-and coming-artists around.

It was also cool to be back at The Wiltern, where I recently opened for Robin Thicke at the Voices On Point benefit. The sound quality is amazingly powerful and the acoustics are pristine. After the show, I was able to link up with Ed backstage and we chatted about growing up in London. I gave him major props on an amazing performance. Maybe at some point Ed and I will play a show together, or collaborate on a record. I think our musical styles would compliment each other well.

Back to business. See you all Monday night!

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