Thousands of mourners packed AT&T Plaza at American Airlines Center on Thursday to pay tribute to radio icon David "Kidd" Kraddick, who died unexpectedly July 27 while in New Orleans.
The memorial included an appearance by the Jonas Brothers, a performance by Ben Folds and a commemoration by his daughter Caroline, who delivered a touching rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."
Stars from around the country shared their reminiscences and gratitude via video, including members of Good Charlotte, Hanson, Blue October and Forever the Sickest Kids. Phil McGraw said that Kidd taught him how to play golf and recalled the times they'd play in Las Colinas, when they'd stop to sit and talk.
The remaining crew of Kidd Kraddick in The Morning, Kellie Raspberry, J-Si, Big Al and Jenna appeared on stage, where they proclaimed to cheers from the crowd that the show would go on. "We learned from the master, after all," they said.
Folds came on stage to play a few songs including "Still Fighting." Before sitting down at the piano, he did what many in the crowd were doing: pulled out his camera and snapped a photo of the assembled audience.
Starting around 7 pm, the big screens at AT&T Plaza played a simulcast from A Concert For Kidd's Kids at the House of Blues in Dallas, featuring the Jonas Brothers and Jason Derulo, among others.
"Being from Dallas, Kidd meant so much to us," the Jonas Brothers said. "This is more a celebration of his life."
Longtime Dallas radio personality David "Kidd" Kraddick died unexpectedly at the age of 53.
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