Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit Raises Record $173,000 for Grant Halliburton Foundation

Celebrating its 13th anniversary, the Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit on May 29 at the Longhorn Ballroom raised more than $173,000—a new record—for Grant Halliburton Foundation with 640 in attendance. The evening included a VIP party for sponsors with food from Eddie’s Tex-Mex Cocina where Nadel visited with and took photos with guests. The evening included live and silent auctions and music performances by double headliners The Secret Sisters and Shinyribs. The event was presented by Haynes Boone, and the media sponsor is KXT 91.7.

Eric Nadel and Michelle and Andy Heinz
Photo Credit: Stacey Brooks

Eric Nadel, Texas Rangers Hall of Fame broadcaster and mental health advocate, hosted the annual birthday benefit and welcomed guests.

“I’m thrilled that you are here to help celebrate my birthday,” Nadel said. “We started off at The Kessler, but we ran out of space because more people wanted to attend. So we moved to the Longhorn Ballroom, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Five years ago, I decided to partner with Grant Halliburton Foundation, a Dallas nonprofit that provides mental health education, resources, and support to children, teens, and their families. The work they do is important, and I want you to know more about them.”

Kevin Hall, president of Grant Halliburton Foundation, Lucy and Don Witte

Nadel then introduced Kevin Hall, Grant Halliburton Foundation president. 

“Eric, we’re grateful for your courage and inspiration as a dedicated mental health advocate and for the impact you’ve made for us,” Kevin Hall said. “We’re honored to be the beneficiary again. I want all of you to know more about our organization through this video.” 

Amber Maxwell, Kathy Williams, and Judy Rawle

After the video played, Ronnie Conger, auctioneer, invited those who purchased beads to stand up to play a spirited game of heads or tails. Then he led the live auction, which included watching a Texas Rangers game with Eric Nadel, a Jazz Cruise getaway with Elvis Costello and Boz Scaggs and a dinner with Texas Rangers Manager Bruce Bochy. 

Shinyribs

Following the live auction, Alabama-based The Secret Sisters played their emotional songs and ended by singing happy birthday to Nadel who joined them on stage. Then, Shinyribs, led by the animated Kevin Russell performed their blend of Texas blues, New Orleans R&B funk and horn-inspired Memphis soul music. Russell even took to the floor dancing enthusiastically with several guests, while others danced. 

Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit with Secret Sisters and Shinyribs

 

Mark your calendar! The 13th annual Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit is set for Thursday, May 29 at the historic Longhorn Ballroom—and you won’t want to miss it!

This year’s event, benefiting Grant Halliburton Foundation, features double headliners: The Secret Sisters and Shinyribs, plus an exciting live and silent auction.

Join Eric Nadel for an unforgettable night of music and giving back. Proceeds support the Foundation's mental health and suicide prevention education and resources for North Texas children, teens, and young adults.

Tickets and information:

Eric Nadel's Birthday Benefit — Grant Halliburton Foundation

Eric Nadel’s 10th Anniversary Birthday Benefit Raised $100,000 for Grant Halliburton Foundation

Celebrating its 10th anniversary concert, the Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit, presented by Bell Nunnally, LLC, raised more than $100,000 for Grant Halliburton Foundation. Held on June 2 at the Kessler Theater, the event featured a VIP party for sponsors, live and silent auctions and music acts. New this year, guests enjoyed Texas Rangers-themed snack vendors, like one might see at a baseball game, handing out baseball-themed treats including sunflowers seeds, Cracker Jacks, Big League Chew bubble gum, Baby Ruth candy bars and roasted peanuts. 

Chris Woodard, Texas Rangers Manager, and Eric Nadel, Voice of the Texas Rangers

Eric Nadel welcomed everyone to his 70th birthday party. He introduced Daphne Willis, one of the co-founders of the Birthday Benefit and a Kessler Theater favorite, who opened and is best known for her song Somebody’s Someone.

Kevin Hall, Grant Halliburton Foundation president, spoke about the Foundation. “Thank you to National Baseball Hall of Famer Eric Nadel for selecting us as the beneficiary of your birthday party for the second year. The proceeds support the Foundation’s mental health and suicide prevention education programs for North Texas children, teens and young adults. We also want to thank Bell Nunnally for being the presenting sponsor, 105.3 The Fan as the media sponsor and all our other sponsors.”

Grant Halliburton Foundation staff

Hall introduced the Thrive program, which addresses mental, social and emotional health. Thrive is used mostly schools, and the audience watched a video showing its life-saving and impactful work. 

After the video, there was a live auction with experiences with Nadel, other baseball greats, trips and experiences.

Cas Haley

Finally, the talented headliner Cas Haley, performed. A native of Paris, Texas, Haley was a former runner-up on America’s Got Talent. Music is a family affair for him, who collaborates on songwriting with his wife Cassy, a recent cancer survivor. He tours with his son, Eben, on bass and his daughter, Nolah, on fiddle.

Vanita Halliburton, Amy McCloskey, and Alan Halliburton

VIPs spotted in attendance included Eric Nadel, Voice of the Texas Rangers; Daphne Willis (opener and co-founder of event); Cas Haley (headliner); Bell Nunnally, LLC team; Chris Woodard, Texas Rangers Manager; Brad Sham, Voice of the Dallas Cowboys; Jared Sandler, Host for the Texas Rangers Radio Network; Mike Bacsik, The Fan Radio Host, Chef John Kleifgen with Nick & Sam’s; Vanita Halliburton, Amy McCloskey and Alan Halliburton, Grant Halliburton Foundation co-founders.