In a breathtaking career turn, Christopher Holt, a musician from Dallas, recently joined the Eagles, one of the greatest rock bands of all time, for their extended residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Holt readily calls himself the ‘luckiest guitar player on Earth,’ and his enthusiasm is palpable as he reflects on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Known for his considerable talent in the Dallas music scene, Holt has played with numerous local favorites like Bastards of Soul, the Slack, and Sorta.
His extensive experience includes writing and performing his own music, with his fourth album, Across the Milky Way, set to be released on May 9. The album is expected to showcase his signature lush melodies and jangly guitar work.
Holt is multi-talented, playing not only the guitar but also the piano, drums, and pedal steel, among other instruments. He gained significant attention during the pandemic for his home livestream performances, where he creatively built classic songs layer by layer in real-time, akin to a track mixer.
His journey with the Eagles has been facilitated by his history in tribute bands, including a personal favorite, a Simon and Garfunkel act he performs with Chad Stockslager. This connection ultimately led to Holt being tapped by Don Henley, the Eagles frontman and a fellow Dallasite, to contribute to Henley’s solo work before eventually touring with the Eagles.
The band completed their residency at the Sphere in April, with another series of performances scheduled to begin in September. Holt also plays with Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs and has spent time mentoring aspiring guitarists in his community.
When asked how he describes Dallas to those unfamiliar with the city, Holt responds with a touch of humor.
“Hot, humid, half-crazy, half-sensible,” he remarks. He notices that outsiders often express surprise at his manner of speech, deviating from the stereotypical Texas persona they expect.
He shares, “I had a Canadian border agent once ask me, ‘Where are all your guns, Tex?’ Geez, take it easy, dude. I have to remind them we don’t all wear cowboy hats and speak with a twang. Give me a few drinks, though, and I get a little drawl.”
When reflecting on elements of Dallas that frustrate him, he cites the city’s NFL team. “Thirty years without an NFC championship,” he laments. Additionally, he expresses a broader concern about the lack of audience attentiveness at live music events, stating, “This isn’t exclusive to Dallas, but it bothers me that people talk over musicians playing in bars and clubs.”
Despite the challenges, Holt shares a poignant story about his experiences with Don Henley, which further illuminate the camaraderie between them. “Don’s been wonderful to me the past dozen years or so, and I’m very grateful. He’s been a great boss and friend.”
Many perceive Henley as a serious figure, but Holt assures fans of his lighter side. A memorable encounter took place at Henley’s 70th birthday celebration at the American Airlines Center.
During rehearsal, Don approached Holt and fellow musician Milo Deering, advising them to dress nicely for the show. Holt playfully quipped, “I always wear a nice jacket, Don!” In response, Henley took a moment to humorously scrutinize Holt from head to toe, finally remarking, “Lose those shoes.”
As Holt prepares to release his new album, Across the Milky Way, he acknowledges his deep admiration for The Beatles. He playfully suggests that a simpler badge stating, “I’m obsessed with The Beatles” would have sufficed, though he clarifies his reference to a galaxy rather than just the famous band.
“I’m a shameless Beatles nerd,” he admits. “Only about their music, though. What’s Ringo’s mother’s name? No idea. I’m only obsessed with the songs and the recordings, because I find their impact on the world nothing short of miraculous.”
Reflecting on his recent experience performing at the Sphere, Holt can’t help but express excitement. He describes the unmatched quality of the Eagles’ music facility, noting any song from the Eagles’ catalog can sound better than ever within such an acoustic environment.
Yet, he highlights the complexities of performing in such a grand setting, particularly with challenging elements like dark stairways and a double-neck guitar.
Holt concludes, “Definitely some pressure. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” His journey from local musician to joining legendary rock icons serves as a testament to his dedication, talent, and love for music.
image source from：https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/2025/04/24/the-luckiest-guitar-player-on-earth-lives-in-dallas-and-he-plays-with-the-eagles/
