Neil Lemons is the co-founder/editor of ILiveInDallas.com, an award-winning online digital publication about life in Dallas and D-FW cultural events. ILiveInDallas.com reaches more than half a million visitors annually and has over 40 local contributors. In 2013, ILiveInDallas.com was named one of the “5 Top Dallas Blogs to Follow” by Dallas Morning News‘ GuideLive, in 2012 the site was named “Best Dallas Blog” Readers’ Choice by D Magazine, and in 2011 “Most Valuable Blogger” People’s Choice by CBS Local.
Lemons has resided in Dallas since 2005, and the D-FW area since 1999. He is a 2004 graduate of University of North Texas‘ school of Journalism, with a degree in Advertising, and has worked in digital media as a career since 2005. After graduating from Aims Academy School of Culinary Arts Bartending track in 2004, he spent the better part of four years slinging top-shelf bottles and mixing and shaking craft cocktail concoctions on nights and weekends for private parties at Dallas’ downtown Neiman Marcus, high-end weddings for the rich and famous (serving guests like Don Henley, Eva Longoria, the Trammell Crow estate, the Schlegel family), and for special events all over Dallas.
Being an avid writer, reader, and observer of the local arts and entertainment scene, while living and going to school in Denton, he held several jobs, including working for the award-winning North Texas Daily. While in college he started blogging on a personal level in 2001, and has done so professionally for companies and outside publications since 2006.
After taking over as managing co-founder and editor of ILiveInDallas.com in 2010 and growing the publication’s following by 10 times within two years, Lemons has subsequently had articles published by Fort Worth Star-Telegram-owned DFW.com, and Britain’s second largest digital news source,The Guardian.
Growing up in a small North Texas town with one Dairy Queen, a Mexican restaurant, and a couple of stop lights, he eagerly explored and consumed Dallas’ bevy of restaurants, arts festivals, and craft cocktail culture as soon as he got here, and hasn’t stopped since.
When he’s not rounding up writers or reading business motivation books, you might find him singing live karaoke, eating crawfish, or taking weekend road trips to small Texas towns. To catch his adventures feel free to follow, fan, and circle him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. Lastly, by all means, subscribe to his Dallas Morning News Craft Cocktail column.