Homage Nation musical director Adam Pickrell has once again assembled an all star cast of North Texas musicians to present an evening of music by the legendary Elton John. 

Performers will include Chris Holt, Kenny Withrow, Patrice Pike, Hunter Hendrickson, Poppy Xander, Ginny Mac, Dave Monsey, JJ Johnson, Mike Daane, Amy Curnow, Chris Norwood, Paul Slavens, Mark Pirro, Bryan Wakeland, Tom Bridwell, Eric Neal, Clay Pendergrass, Earl Darling, Larry Gee, Joe James, Zach Galindo, Linda Garner, Rocki Langlanais, Jason Corcoran, Anique Fazaldden, and Clate Bowen. 
 
Visuals will once again be provided by the great Sarah Kasprzyk. She will also design a limited edition silk screen poster which will be available for sale on that night. 
 
Homage Nation is a unique opportunity for the entire Dallas music community to join together and celebrate the important recording artists who have influenced their own careers. 
 
Past Homage Nation nights have featured the music of Tom Petty, Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Daniel Johnston, Sparklehorse, and the Grateful Dead.

 

Homage Nation is a time-honored tradition at The Kessler Theater, featuring a gathering of esteemed North Texas-based musicians and vocalists coming together for one evening to pay tribute to the transformative recording artists who have influenced their own music and creative projects.
 
Part I: Keyboardist and Musical Director Adam Pickrell (Nelly Furtado/Decadent Dub Team) has once again assembled an all-star line-up of first-call musicians and vocalists. The evening will begin with an start-to-finish rendition of the acclaimed 1994 album "Wildflowers", featuring David Monsey (bassist for Fiona Apple), JJ Johnson (drummer for Gary Clark, Jr.), Chris Holt (guitarist for The Eagles), and Michael Smith (guitarist for The Speaker Wars.)
 
Part II: Following that, this core ensemble will present a number of classic songs from Tom Petty's catalog, along with the addition of many guest musicians: featuring guitarist Andy Timmons, guitarist Kenny Withrow (New Bohemians), bassist Mark Pirro (Tripping Daisy/Polyphonic Spree), drummer Bryan Wakeland (Tripping Daisy), drummer Tony Barsotti (Hagfish), vocalists Patrice Pike and Will Kniffen, and guitarist Hunter Hendrickson,  Additional vocalists will include Chris and Carrie Norwood, Bob Watson (Shallow Reign), Clate Bowen, Amy Curnow, Jacob Metcalf and his father Jim Metcalf, with back vocals by Bann Crooks, Sarah Kasperzyk, and Jason Corcoran. Guitarists Cameron Ray and Marc Solomon will also participate, as well as bassists Emsy Robisnon, Linda Garner, and Mike Daane. Drummers John Solis, Tom Bridwell, and Joe James, along with keyboardists Paul Slavens (Ten Hands) and Jay Terleski, will round out the roster of players. 
 
Like our previous Homage Nation events celebrating the music of Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, Alice Cooper, Daniel Johnston, Sparklehorse, and Harry Nilsson, these gatherings are about honoring profound musical influence and celebrating this extraordinary North Texas music community. Visual artist Sarah Kasperzyk will once again provide live video projections and imagery.
 
Executive produced by Kessler Presents Artistic Director Jeffrey Liles and Adam Pickrell. Doors open at six o'clock, performance kicks off at seven PM.

Join us on The Kessler Green (lawn behind The Kessler Theater)!

The Kessler Green is open every Thursday through Saturday starting at 5:00pm, music starts between 7:00 and 7:30pm.*

These events are currently free, but space is limited and is first come-first served (as seated by our hosts).

Want to reserve a picnic table? You can select and pay for a table of your choice here! Each table seats up to 6 guests and will be reserved for you from opening to close on your selected evening.

Food will be available on-site each night from a rotating lineup of food truck & pop-up favorites, with beverage service from The Kessler Bar crew.

Please remember to wear a mask when not seated and stick to your party, maintaining a social distance from others.

*Note: On dates with indoor concerts at The Kessler, The Kessler Green will be open, but there will not be a live artist performing outside.

David Garza hosts an all-star holiday reunion gathering featuring a number of influential musicians from the 1980s-1990s Dallas music scene.

In addition to band members Clay Pendergrass (Jackopierce) and Michael Hale (the Love Beads), the show will feature Reggie Rueffer (Spot and Mildred), Jim Cocke (Mildred and About Nine Times), Bubba Hernandez (Brave Combo), Bryan Wakeland (Tripping Daisy/Polyphonic Spree), Paul Slavens (Ten Hands), and Patrice Pike (Sister 7).
David will do a short set, then each performer will do a song from their own catalog, and Garza will lead a jam session of these amazing musicians to wrap it up.

Irving, TX born David Garza has been making his mark since 1989 when he emerged from the fertile Austin, Texas music scene with his inimitable blend of glam rock, Latin folk, and blues. Through major label albums and a trove of indie releases, he has embodied the troubadour, the cabaret shaman, the punk provocateur, the poet, the painter – but always the storyteller. As a prolific genre jumper, he has broken cultural and music industry barriers while building an enduring catalog of compositions for live music, theatre, and film audiences.

Opening the evening will be Kristy Kruger along with Ginny Mac.

The Kessler is proud to host alternative musicians from Austin and Dallas coming together to pay tribute to the late iconic musician/artist Daniel Johnston.

Perfomances by:
Kathy McCarty
Jad Fair of Half Japanese
Tim DeLaughter of The Polyphonic Spree
John Dufilho of The Deathray Davies
The Sutcliffes
Paul Slavens
Jacob Metcalf
Artwork by Daniel Johnston and Jeff F. Wheeler