The Lupners’ original gig at Enchiladas Restaurant

The good news: this season’s Sundays in the Park concert series will kick off May 3 with all-time fan favorite The Lupners performing at Watercrest Park. The bad news: lead singer Stuart Sides says the crowd-pleasing rockers are hanging up their mics and mothballing their amps. They’re launching a farewell tour in their 20th year, and this Sunday in the Park will be their last.

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The Lupners began playing their first gigs together at Enchilada’s Restaurant on Greenville Avenue in January of 2007. “We were a true garage band,” Bill Maselunas (bass guitar and vocals) told me in 2014. “Our first practices were in our drummer’s garage, no matter how hot or cold it was outside.

The group also includes Gary Krumbholz (keyboard, guitar, vocals), Charlie Jilek (guitar) and Tim Bird (drums and vocals), with Anthony Stowell on sound. They perform regularly at Lone Star RoadHouse at Northwest Highway and Jupiter, 3 Nations Brewing in downtown Carrollton and other venues and private parties, and they sing everything from The Cars to The Clash, from Billy Squier to The Black Eyed Peas, from Kenny Loggins to K.C. and the Sunshine Band.

“We have so much love and deep appreciation for all the Lupnerheads — your support over the years is the reason we do it,” Sides said. “The chemistry and deep friendships within our band of great musicians is so rare, and it has made every moment so incredibly special for 20 years.”

Over the years, the band has enjoyed having friends and fans who attended virtually every gig, while new faces kept their experience fresh and rewarding. They’ve also morphed a bit over time and say they appreciate the contributions of original drummer Lee Malan and original keyboardist and guitar player Mike McClendon.

Sundays in the Park is the Lake Highlands Public Improvement District’s recurring concert series hosted creekside on the lawn of the Lake Highlands Town Center. The show begins at 5 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to bring their own low-slung chairs and picnic or purchase food at one of the town center’s great restaurants. Concert admission is free.

You may follow The Lupners on Facebook here. They’ll play at Lone Star RoadHouse at 8 p.m. May 2.

The Lupners at 3 Nations Brewing

Author

  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.