RHETT MILLER

Dallas native Rhett Miller is best-known as the frontman of the Dallas-based alt-country band the Old 97’s, although he has also pursued a critically acclaimed solo career and toured relentlessly for many years. Most of Miller’s solo albums are dominated by cool, melodic pop tunes with a drier and more confessional bent than his work with the band.

An accomplished author, Miller has written two children’s books, “No More Poems! A Book in Verse That Just Gets Worse” and “The Baby-Changing Station” as well as numerous articles for national publications including “Rolling Stone,” “Salon,” and “The Atlantic.” He also hosts a popular podcast, “Wheels Off,” a show about the messy reality of the creative life.

A long-time mental health advocate, Rhett appeared in 2016 as part of the Okay to Say campaign, encouraging the use of therapy to address mental health issues.

LESLIE MENDELSON

Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Leslie Mendelson drew worldwide attention for her collaboration with Jackson Browne on “Human Touch,” written and performed for the 2019 documentary film “5B.” She then toured with Browne, which included a performance at Austin City Limits. Her collaborations with Bob Weir are frequently streamed on YouTube and she has opened shows for Roger Daltrey and The Who, among many others.

Leslie will tour extensively this year to support her soon-to-be-released album, “After the Party,” which includes the singles “Other Girls” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll on the Radio.”

The historic Kessler Theater is considered one of the best music venues in town. Built in 1941 and once owned by Gene Autry in the WWII movie house era, The Kessler is listed in the National Historic Registry. It has been hit by a tornado, burned down, and was a revival tabernacle. It had been dormant for almost 30 years, but has been operating as one of the most acclaimed music venues in the region since 2010.

The Kessler Theater • 1230 W. Davis Street • Dallas

About Eric Nadel

Eric Nadel is in his 28th year as the lead voice of the Texas Rangers radio broadcasts. 2024 marks his 46th year of broadcasting Rangers baseball, the longest tenure of any announcer in franchise history.

At the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Awards, Eric was honored with the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award. He's also an eight-time recipient of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Texas Sportscaster of the Year Award and was twice honored by the Associated Press for best play-by-play in Texas. In 2012, he was inducted as the 15th member of the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame.

Eric is involved in numerous mental health causes and has served as a spokesman for The Campaign to Change Direction and for Texas State of Mind. He hosts the annual Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit concert at The Kessler in Dallas to raise funds for local mental health organizations. Grant Halliburton Foundation is the 2024 beneficiary of the 12th annual event in May.