Tickets now on sale for the May 14 benefit concert
celebrating Eric Nadel’s 75th birthday
Dallas, Texas -- Tickets are now on sale for the 14th annual Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit concert, returning Thursday, May 14, to celebrate Nadel’s 75th birthday at the historic Longhorn Ballroom. The evening will feature live music with co-headliners Brooklyn-based Sammy Rae and The Friends and Bay Area favorite Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes.
Nadel, the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame radio broadcaster and longtime mental health advocate, hosts the annual birthday benefit, which includes live and silent auctions. The event is presented by Haynes Boone, with KXT 91.7 serving as media sponsor.
Proceeds benefit Grant Halliburton Foundation, a Dallas-based nonprofit marking its 20th anniversary in 2026. The Foundation provides mental health education, resources and support to children, teens and their families across North Texas.
“I am delighted to once again be able to raise money for Grant Halliburton Foundation,” Nadel said. “I am proud to say that we have helped them grow tremendously over the last five years, providing mental health education and suicide prevention programs to more and more students, teachers and parents throughout North Texas.”
Formed in 2016, Sammy Rae and The Friends are a jazz-pop band known for their infectious energy and dynamic live performances. Their sound is often compared to fellow New York–based band Lake Street Dive. Their most recent album, “Songs We Wish We Wrote,” features innovative covers of some of their (and Nadel’s) favorite songs
Chuck Prophet has been a fixture of the San Francisco Bay Area music scene for more than three decades, releasing over a dozen solo albums. His recent release, “Wake the Dead,” features the Cumbia Shoes, an all-star ensemble performing cumbia-influenced tracks, including “First Came the Thunder,” which was named one of KXT-FM listeners’ Top 15 Songs of 2025.
“This is my 75th birthday, and I want it to be a huge, festive party,” Nadel said. “So, I booked two bands whose live performances are electrifying. We reached out to both coasts and landed two of my all-time favorites–Sammy Rae and The Friends from New York and Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes from San Francisco.”
While the birthday benefit is centered on celebration and music, the event raises funds through live and silent auctions featuring exclusive items, including autographed sports memorabilia, celebrity dinners at some of Dallas’ most beloved restaurants, and other one-of-a-kind offerings. The silent auction will be available online starting Thursday, May 7, allowing supporters to participate even if they are unable to attend the event.
“Eric is one of the most generous champions of Grant Halliburton Foundation’s mission, and we’re honored to be named the beneficiary of his birthday benefit once again, now for the sixth year,” Kevin Hall, Grant Halliburton Foundation president, said. “This event is a true celebration of music and community, and the support it generates helps us reach more students, equip more educators and parents, and connect more families to support.”
Event details:
WHEN: Thursday, May 14, 2026
6:30 p.m. — Doors open
7:30 p.m. — Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes
9:20 p.m. — Sammy Rae and The Friends
WHERE: Longhorn Ballroom, 216 Corinth St., Dallas, TX 75207
SPONSORSHIPS: Sponsorships, which include premium suite seating and select tables near the stage, are available through the Foundation at GrantHalliburton.org/ericnadel.
TICKETS: Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 11. Seated general admission tickets are $45; standing general admission tickets are $20; and premium seating tickets are $70. Purchase tickets at LonghornBallroom.com/tickets or GrantHalliburton.org/ericnadel.
“Our ticket sales, online silent auction and the live auction provide great opportunities for the community to support Grant Halliburton Foundation while enjoying unique entertainment opportunities,” Nadel said. “Thanks to Haynes Boone and KXT-FM for partnering with us once again.”
For more information, including tickets, sponsorships and suites, visit at GrantHalliburton.org/ericnadel or emailjulia@granthalliburton.org.
About Grant Halliburton Foundation
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2006, Grant Halliburton Foundation was established in memory of a Dallas teen who battled depression and bipolar disorder for several years before his suicide death at the age of 19. The Foundation that bears his name works to help prevent suicide by providing education, resources and support for children, teen and young adult mental health.
For two decades, the Foundation has provided mental health education and training to more than 375,000 students, educators, parents, and professionals. The Foundation also offers help and support through HereForTexas.com and the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line. These free community tools provide easy access for North Texans seeking information and resources for mental health and substance abuse. Learn more at GrantHalliburton.org.
