Toadies with Matt Hillyer @ Hot Summer Nights in Sherman Texas
Duane Clawson
7/15/20262 min read
All photos © Red River Current Media / DC Photowerx
As the Hot Summer Nights Concert Series enters its final stretch, the caliber of talent remains consistently impressive. For years, Sarah McRae from the City of Sherman worked to bring the alternative rockers, Toadies, to town; however, due to persistent scheduling conflicts, the goal seemed increasingly out of reach. That changed last year during a chance encounter with the mother of the band's bassist, Sherman native Doni Blair, which finally helped seal the deal for the Fort Worth-based group to join the lineup.
Opening the evening was fellow Texan Matt Hillyer, whose storied career includes twenty-three years as the frontman of the legendary honky-tonk band Eleven Hundred Spring. With his signature twangy Telecaster, Hillyer provided the perfect lead-in for the main event.
Having built a massive, dedicated underground following since 1989, the Toadies commanded the stage, with fans singing along to every note. Recently ranked by D Magazine as the sixth most influential band in Dallas—surpassing Post Malone by two spots—the group kept the crowd moving with favorites like "I Come From Water," "Little Sin," and their iconic hit, "Possum Kingdom." They closed out a stellar performance with a captivating cover of "I Put a Spell on You." The concert series is set to conclude on July 16th with a performance by the Mexican band, Grupo Bryndis.
