3 Reasons Why Rockwall, TX is a Hidden Gem for Live Music

697 Interstate Highway 30
Rockwall, TX 75087
communications@rockwallchamber.org
972-771-5733
www.visitrockwall.com

By Teresa Otto

TV and radio personality Dick Clark once said, “Music is the soundtrack of your life.” If you’re interested in expanding your playlist, visit Rockwall, Texas. Rockwall lies just 25 miles east of downtown Dallas and takes its name from an impressive rock formation unearthed by early settlers in 1852.

The historic city stands atop the largely unexcavated wall, overlooking Lake Ray Hubbard — a 22,000-acre mecca for fishing, boating, sailing, and windsurfing. You could easily spend the entire day playing in the water. As the sun journeys toward the horizon and the last of its rays shimmer across the water, you’ll want to be back on shore. That’s when Rockwall’s live music scene takes center stage.

Named the “Free Live Music Capital of North Texas” by the Texas legislature in 2017, Rockwall lives and breathes music, especially in the summertime. Visit this charming, lakeside city to hear for yourself why Rockwall is a hidden gem for live music.

Founders Day Concert

Each year, Rockwall celebrates its birthday and honors the founders who uncovered just a bit of the massive rock wall that may be as much as 20 miles long and 7 stories high. The Founders Day Festival this year marks Rockwall’s 170th birthday. The festival is a free, family-friendly event held at Harry Myers Park on May 18th. To make the most of one of North Texas’ biggest parties, you’ll want to come early and stay late. The event begins at 1 p.m. with bounce houses, rides, and games for the children in the Kid’s Zone and tasty food truck fare to feast on throughout the day. Country music fans are in for a real treat, as Mike Ryan and the Eli Young Band cap off the festivities.

Mike Ryan kicks off the concert at 6:30 p.m. He’s a contemporary country music singer-songwriter and Lone Star native. His down-to-earth songs and his soulful, heartfelt performances have earned him nine #1 singles on the Texas Country Music charts so far and a following well beyond his home state. He made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2022.

The Eli Young Band follows at 8 p.m. The country music band came together while Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones, and Chris Thompson were students at the University of North Texas in Denton. Twenty-four years and thousands of miles on the road later, they are bringing their greatest hits to the Founders Day Festival. They’ve reached the Billboard country chart eight times and topped the list with four #1 singles. You may not learn what love is, but you’ll hear what “Love Ain’t” in their latest single!

Photo Credit: ©Kelly Lefkowitz, GTH Studios

San Jacinto Music Series

The San Jacinto Music Series hosts singer-songwriters and bands who share their original works and favorite tunes in historic downtown Rockwall. The live performances take place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings from May through September. The venue is the newly renovated San Jacinto Plaza. This welcoming, open-air venue is part of what makes Rockwall a Texas Main Street City. Lined with historic buildings and the boutiques, shops, and restaurants they hold, this thriving tree-lined pedestrian mall is home to the annual outdoor concert series. The event showcases a diverse lineup of talented acts from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Whether you enjoy country, blues, folk music, rock and roll, or tribute bands, your musical appetites will be whetted.

And speaking of appetites, bring yours to the concert. With the eateries and bars surrounding the plaza, there’s something cookin’ to satisfy any craving. You’ll find inspired contemporary American, Asian fusion, and Italian cuisine nearby. On concert nights, dine al fresco at a restaurant with patio seating or order take out and pull up a chair at one of the plaza’s café-style tables. You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic basket, small cooler, and lawn chairs.

For the latest information on upcoming musicians, please visit the San Jacinto Music Series Facebook page.

concert by the lake Photo Credit: ©Kelly Lefkowitz, GTH Studios

Concert by the Lake Series

You love live music. You love going to the lake. Why not put them together in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich of symbiotic perfection? The Concert by the Lake series agrees wholeheartedly.

Beginning in May, The Brad Griggs Amphitheater Stage at The Harbor will be hosting free concerts every Thursday night starting at 7 p.m. With an incredible view of Lake Ray Hubbard, you can sit back and enjoy a wide variety of musical artists.

Feel free to bring your own chairs, blankets, food, and beverages—yep, that includes beer—for a picnic. Food can also be purchased at the many nearby restaurants at The Harbor.

Rock Around the Clock in Rockwall

Whether you’re a frequent guest or first-time visitor, Rockwall invites you to spend a night or two and grab a front-row seat at several of this summer’s free concerts. You’ll find hotels to suit every budget and preference, and plenty of things to do, see, and experience in this quaint, lakeside city. As you add a musical score to the cherished memories of your stay, you’ll discover why Rockwall is a hidden gem for live music.

About the Author: Teresa Otto is a Texas-based freelance writer, photographer, and avid curler (yes, Houston has a curling club!). When she’s not traveling the world, she serves as a waitress and housekeeper for two rescued cats and a dog.