RIP Trey

Beloved Dallas musician and music label co-founder Trey Johnson dies

RIP Trey.

Photo courtesy of Jason Janik

Beloved Dallas musician Trey Johnson, who was a founding member of rock band Sorta, died on January 31; he was 53.

Born Lewis Harlan Johnson III, Trey was a Dallas native, graduate of Greenhill School and the University of North Texas, and co-founder of State Fair Records, a Dallas music label that released albums by acclaimed artists such as Joshua Ray Walker, Kristy Kruger, and Eleven Hundred Springs.

Sorta was an Americana rock band that released four full-length records and garnered national attention when their songs were picked up for several television series. In 2007, the band parted ways after the untimely death of band member Carter Albrecht.

But Johnson continued to sing and record, including two solo albums Mount Pelée and Where The East Ends on Idol Records, and most recently an EP released on Christmas Day 2021 on State Fair Records called Home Again, Home Again, under the name Lewis III.

He worked as a commercial production director for 97.1 The EAGLE, and also taught music for several years at local music school Zounds Sounds.

In 2019, he and his wife Jen opened YAM Dallas, a space for yoga and the arts.

According to a family friend, Johnson had experienced heart problems within the past year that included a blocked artery.

Johnson was universally beloved, and the Dallas creative community came out in force to mark his passing with tributes on Facebook.

Radio industry veteran Billy MacLeod called him "North Texas' own confidante and friend to so very many," stating that "his music kept coming, but it was really his quiet conversations and the encouragement that he gave to others that will endure."

Music photographer Jessica Waffles called him "a pillar in the community, a kind supportive soul, and a real happy guy. ... So many people have been able to make it so far with your help. Thank you for everything you did. What a rockstar."

Musician Marcus Striplin recalled a point where he was feeling down and called Johnson. "Trey took my call on a late spring day and just listened to me. At the time I didn’t realize how much I needed for someone to listen to me and either say 'you're crazy and take this event as a sign to hang it up' or something else. Trey told me the something else. He encouraged me to focus and to not stray from it. He was a believer in my art and he was such a kind and gentle human."

Singer Becky Middleton said that "working in the studio with someone of his caliber and musicianship is always an honor. But to call him friend was the gift. He was the kindest person and leaves a beautiful legacy with his family and the Dallas music scene."

Musician and bar owner Reid Robinson described Johnson as a "friend, father, and total class act," calling him "one of the kindest, talented, and most earnest people around. Loved his big hearty laugh, and positive outlook no matter the circumstances. He reminded me of a gentle lion, caring and in control."

Musician and Eleven Hundred Springs founder Matt Hillyer said that Johnson was "one of those people who you just immediately felt like a kindred spirit with. He championed us and countless others. He always made us feel like the most talented important people in the room. In fact, his own talent as a musician was world class. I always breathed easier knowing he was on our side. Aside from business, he was fun to hang out with and talk to. The loss to the North Texas music world can’t be overstated on this one. This is really heartbreaking."

Courtney Wright Wells, operations manager for State Fair Records, said, "I never imagined having a partner like Trey, or working with someone that has such a genuine heart for musicians (and all artists), the industry, and selflessly, positively impacting this scene."

Musician Mike Daane recalled meeting Trey when they were students at North Texas State University. "Thus began a long friendship where we would cross paths on a regular basis in and around the Dallas music scene. Trey always had something cooking musically and formed many bands, exploring and learning, forging his own unique style in the process. It was a treat when our bands would share a bill and I could see what he was up to. Always engaged and in the moment, always a positive thing to say, always a big hello and a hug, always a 'I love you Mike Daane' when we parted. I love you too, Trey. You are going to be sorely missed by everyone."

Radio personality Josh Venable said that "today we lost one of the nicest imaginable. Trey Johnson was not just incredibly talented. Everyone who heard him play knew that. He was also genuine and sincere and gracious."

Vandoliers singer-guitarist Joshua Fleming said that Johnson "changed my life, gave me the chance to pursue my dream and believed in me. I wasn’t the only person or only band. He put in so work, so much faith in to all of us. I’m going to miss my friend so much. We all owe you so much. Thank you for giving us a home, thank you for taking care of us."

He's survived by his mother Betty Dicken, his wife Jen, his daughter Dylan and son Will, his sister Ginna, and his brothers James and Scott.

UPDATE 2-3-2022: Services will be held on Sunday, February 6 at 2 pm at Sparkman Hillcrest, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. The in-person service is reserved for family and friends. For all others who wish to pay their respects, join the service via livestream at vimeo.com/672931736.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Trey Johnson Scholarship Endowment at the UNT College of Music, so that Trey's legacy may live on through generations of music students in perpetuity. You may make a gift to this fund in two ways:

Online. Visit one.unt.edu/giving/college-of-music. Choose "other" from the "Area of Support" drop-down menu. Type "Trey Johnson Endowment" in the "other" box.
Check. Make a check out to "University of North Texas" with "Trey Johnson Endowment: in the memo line, and send to: University of North Texas; University Advancement, Gift Administration at 1155 Union Circle #311250 Denton, TX 76203

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RIP Don

Don Nelson, legendary Dallas Mavericks head coach, dies at 86

Ronald Martinez /Allsport

Head Coach Don Nelson of the Dallas Mavericks points from the sidelines during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Reunion Arena in Dallas on April 5, 2001.

Former Dallas Mavericks coach Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday, August 9. He was 86.

Nelson’s family confirmed the death in a statement that did not say where he died or provide a cause.

“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family,” the statement said. “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.”

Nelson is one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with three different franchises — Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State — also serving as general manager for all three franchises. He was a three-time coach of the year and made the playoffs 18 times in 31 seasons. He went to the conference finals three times with the Bucks and once with the Mavericks, never winning a title.

Nelson introduced what is now known as the point forward, and his up-tempo style of offense created a buzz. He said the idea of shifting from the dominant big men of the 1970s to an offense focused on speed and the fast break came from his playing days under Celtics Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach.

“The league really hadn’t seen an offense like the one we were running, and the results were undeniable,” Nelson wrote in 2016 in The Players’ Tribune.

Nelson said that “without Red Auerbach teaching me the mechanics of running the fast break, none of it would have been possible. He deserves all the credit for Nellie Ball, and for how fast the game of basketball is played today.”

Nelson played 11 of his 14 seasons in Boston and was on five Celtics championship teams under four different coaches. He became an assistant coach in Milwaukee after retiring as a player, then took over after coach Larry Costello resigned 18 games into the 1976-77 season. Nelson coached the Bucks for 11 seasons starting in 1976 and won seven straight division titles.

In Nelson’s second season, Milwaukee overcame a 29-point fourth quarter deficit to beat Atlanta 117-115 in regulation.

“I coached the team as though I was still playing for the Celtics, while implementing a few of my own strategies,” Nelson wrote. “I knew I wanted to play unconventional basketball and use speed to my advantage.”

His fast-paced offenses were probably best on display with Golden State in the “Run TMC” era featuring future Hall of Famers Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. Nelson said he wanted them on the court at the same time.

Nelson spent 11 seasons over two stints with Golden State. The first one was punctuated by a rift with rookie star Chris Webber, who was traded away a month into his second season. Nelson, demoralized by the trade, missed nine games that season due to illness and resigned under pressure three months later in February 1995.

In between, Nelson was fired after less than one season in New York in 1995-96, then coached in Dallas for eight seasons, missing 21 games with the Mavericks starting in December 2000 to recuperate from prostate cancer surgery.

Nelson’s son, Donnie, joined his father as an assistant coach with the Mavericks in 1998, later became general manager and remained with the organization until 2021. Together they persuaded 20-year-old German star Dirk Nowitzki to pass up European basketball and join the Mavericks. Don Nelson also developed Steve Nash into one of the NBA’s top point guards before Nash went on to win back-to-back MVPs with the Phoenix Suns in 2005 and 2006.

Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks Don and Donnie Nelson persuaded 20-year-old German star Dirk Nowitzki to pass up European basketball and join the Mavericks. Dallas Mavericks Facebook

“Don Nelson was a true innovator whose influence on the game of basketball is still felt today,” current Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He consistently challenged conventional thinking, experimented with different lineups and styles of play and saw possibilities in the game that others often did not. So much of what is now commonplace in the modern NBA can be traced back to the way Nellie approached the game."

At Golden State, Nelson’s “We Believe” Warriors led by Baron Davis upset Nowitzki and the top-seeded Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 playoffs in one of the biggest shockers in NBA history. In his final season as a coach, Nelson mentored rookie Stephen Curry in 2009-10.

“One of the big reasons I was drafted by the Warriors was because of Don Nelson. The story is he never liked rookies, but from Day 1 he challenged me and gave me an opportunity to be my best self on the court,” Curry said in a statement released by the Warriors. “He taught me a lot during our one season together and I’ll never forget the night he became the winningest coach in NBA history in Minnesota. We were so happy for him. He had an immeasurable impact on the sport and will go down as one of the greatest minds in the history of the game.”

Davis added: “When I think of Nellie, I’ll always think of the ‘We Believe’ team and our incredible run in 2007. He understood what made us go and made us believe we could beat anybody, ultimately helping us make history as the first No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in a seven-game series. That time in my life and career was truly special, and Nellie was a huge part of making it possible.”

Nelson retired as the NBA’s career coaching wins leader with 1,335, just ahead of Lenny Wilkens’ 1,332. Nelson kept that top spot for nearly 12 years before close friend and now-retired San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich passed him in March 2022.

Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2025, he received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the National Basketball Coaches Association. Miffed that the Mavericks sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster trade, Nelson wore a pair of Doncic’s signature Jordan Brand sneakers to the awards ceremony. He called the trade a “tremendous mistake.”

Don Nelson was miffed that the Mavericks sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster trade Courtesy photo

Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Nelson attended high school in Rock Island, Illinois, and averaged a double-double in college at Iowa. He spent his retirement years living on the Hawaiian island of Maui and owned several short-term rentals on the island.Dallas

Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont issued the following statement on the passing of Nelson:

“Don Nelson was a true original whose impact on the Dallas Mavericks and the game of basketball will endure for generations. Nellie helped transform this franchise, bringing an innovative spirit, a belief in doing things differently and, most importantly, a winning culture to Dallas. His influence can be seen throughout Mavericks history and across the NBA today.

“On behalf of the entire Mavericks organization, our thoughts are with Don’s family, friends, former players and coaches, and the many people whose lives he touched. We are grateful for all he gave to the Mavericks and to the game he loved.”

Read the Mavericks' tribute to Don Nelson at mavs.com/news/don-nelson-one-of-a-kind.

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Stephanie Allmon Merry contributed to this story.

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