Concert News
Dallas' Longhorn Ballroom reveals first acts to perform at restored venue
Emmylou Harris
The big acts are coming out for Dallas' famed Longhorn Ballroom, slated for a comeback in spring 2023.
The historic venue, currently in the final throes of a renovation by Kessler Presents, is anticipated to softly reopen at the end of March, and already has shows on the books by epic performers including Asleep at The Wheel, Old Crow Medicine Show, Joshua Ray Walker, and Emmy Lou Harris.
Harris' show on April 22 will be the first at the Longhorn for this long-reigning Americana queen.
Kessler Presents is the team headed by historical steward Edwin Cabaniss, who also restored the Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff and The Heights Theater in Houston.
They're reopening the Longhorn Ballroom with the goal of bringing it back to its heyday so a new generation can enjoy what is a Texas legend.
"We are excited to share the first batch of shows as it is just a taste of what patrons can expect from Longhorn Ballroom programming in the coming years,” Cabaniss says in a release. “From the legendary to the emerging-and-rocketing-toward-stardom, every bill during our soft launch is made up of artists we love and are personally excited to see perform."
The first round of shows with dates are as follows:
- March 30: Asleep at the Wheel with Brennen Leigh and Joshua Hedley
- March 31: Old Crow Medicine Show with special guest Joshua Ray Walker
- April 1: Morgan Wade with special guests Lucero and Kaitlin Butts
- April 22: Emmylou Harris
Tickets for some shows begin going on sale January 31.
Western Swing torchbearers Asleep at the Wheel with Brennen Leigh and Joshua Hedley will be the first acts back in the Longhorn, keeping in line with Kessler Presents' goal of connecting the venue's history to the present and future.
"We first played the Longhorn in 1974, and for a bunch of young Bob Wills fans, it was a thrill," says Asleep at the Wheel frontman and founder Ray Benson in a statement. "I have seen the ups and downs of the Longhorn over the last 50 years, and am very excited and relieved that Edwin and his team are going to continue to honor the tradition of this special place and make sure it is never forgotten or lost like so many other of Texas’ historic venues and dance halls."
"To be the first band back on the Longhorn stage for the reopening is an honor and an opportunity I take great pride in having," Benson says. "You can bet the dance floor will be packed and Bob Wills music will be played!"
Morgan Wade was originally scheduled for the Kessler Theater, but that show sold out, prompting the team to move the show to the Longhorn, which with 2,000-plus seats is larger capacity, and adding alt-country favorites Lucero to the bill.
Tickets can be purchased at Longhornballroom.com and go on sale at 10 am on the following dates:
- January 31: Morgan Wade/Lucero
- February 1: Asleep at the Wheel
- February 3: Old Crow Medicine Show (with artist presale on February 1)
- February 3: Emmylou Harris
