The Eagles performed their first Sphere present of 2025 on Jan. 17, persevering with the residency they began in 2024. However one thing is completely different — there is a new guitarist on stage.
His title is Chris Holt, an completed musician who hails from Dallas. “Shit’s gonna get very fascinating for me this week,” he posted on Fb not lengthy earlier than taking part in his first present with the Eagles. Within the Instagram clip under, Don Henley could be seen introducing Holt to the viewers.
Holt is becoming a member of the touring lineup since longtime Eagles guitarist Steuart Smith has been recognized with Parkinsonism, a time period that refers to a set of circumstances that trigger bother with motion. Holt might be with the band for his or her Sphere live shows by April.
“It’s with profound remorse that, because of efficiency points related to my not too long ago recognized Parkinsonism, I discover that I need to bow out of my position with the Eagles whereas I can nonetheless achieve this gracefully,” Smith stated in a press release. “It has been a terrific quarter of a century, and I had hoped to have the ability to end out this 12 months with the band, however I need to now do what’s greatest for all involved.”
“Steuart Smith has retired from touring,” Henley added. “The Eagles might be endlessly grateful for the extraordinary skills that he delivered to each our recordings and dwell performances. Steuart might be tremendously missed, however he’ll all the time be part of our musical household. We all know our many followers be part of us in wishing him properly.”
Chris Holt’s Background and Expertise
Holt has carried out with various his personal authentic bands, in addition to a number of basic rock tribute acts and Max Weinberg’s Jukebox. The listing of artists he has carried out with, in line with his web site, reads like a who’s who of rock ‘n’ roll: Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks, the Doobie Brothers and lots of extra.
Most not too long ago, he is been a touring member of Mike Campbell’s Soiled Knobs.
“Mike and I do a ton of twin guitar interaction, and he offers me a lot freedom to play like I need to play whereas supporting him,” Holt defined to Buddy journal in January of 2024. “I do know who the persons are paying to see, so I keep inside my bounds, however he is very beneficiant with the best way he lets me shine onstage. I need to maintain doing this gig so long as he desires to maintain doing it and so long as he desires me there!”
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In the identical interview, Holt, who has toured with Henley beforehand, appeared to manifest this new profession transfer.
“I would like to maintain working with Don if he desires to do one other tour anytime,” he stated. “Clearly, that is a enjoyable guitar gig, too, although significantly extra scripted than the Knobs. It is such a wealthy catalog of songs.”
Holt not too long ago spoke with The Dallas Morning Information about his new job.
“I am making an attempt to fill the enormous sneakers of all three that got here earlier than me,” Holt stated, referring to Smith, Don Felder and Bernie Leadon. “It is a number of the most stunning guitar work ever recorded, for my part. It is the best honor for me to do it, and it is my obligation to get it proper.”
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Gallery Credit score: Nick DeRiso
