U&I, a 72-year-old nonprofit that works to build opportunities of inclusion for veterans, adults and youth with disabilities, announced the lineup of artists performing on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas for the 29^th Annual The Dash Experience.

DJ Throwdown Sam from Majic 94.5 will kick off the day mixing music at 4:30 pm with live entertainment throughout the evening featuring Paul Wall, Chris Pérez, Angel Cintron, Laci Mercede, ItsErnie, Scarlet Parke, XB Valentine, and Made Ent.

The Dash 2023 includes a certified 5k glow-run, a one-mile walk, shop small market, a kid’s zone, food trucks and live music. Registration for the race is now open at TheDash23.Com or participants can register the day of the event. The 5k is $30 per person and the one-mile walk is $20 per person. On-site registration and pre-race activities begin at 4:30 p.m. Registration increases to $35 for the 5k and $25 for the one-mile walk on race day.  

Rapper and DJ Paul Wall began his career performing alongside fellow Houston rapper Chamillionare, with whom he released several albums. In 2005, he signed with Atlantic Records and became successful with his major label debut “The People’s Champ.” He was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Grillz," his collaboration with rapper Nelly.

Guitarist Chris Pérez, best known as lead guitarist for the Tejano band Selena y Los Dinos, married Selena nearly 30 years ago. He formed The Chris Pérez Band in 1998 with John Garza, Rudy Martinez, Jesse Esquivel and former Selena y Los Dinos keyboardist Joe Ojeda. The group’s debut album, Resurrection, was released in 1999 and won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album. In 2010, Pérez formed the Chris Pérez Project with Puerto Rican singer Angel Ferrer, releasing "Todo es Diferente." Normally shy and introspective, in 2012 he wrote “To Selena, With Love,” a deeply personal account of their relationship.

Native Texan XB Valentine grew up in Georgetown but she’s lived in Dallas for the past year. The 25-year-old XB Valentine is an LGBTQ artist who came out at 21. In 2022, she officially became a part of the Roc Nation family. Her music is often romantic songs of a woman serenading another woman like “Hate the Way,” which features Chris Pérez on lead guitar. She’s an Official SXSW Showcase Artist.

Scarlet Parke is a Seattle-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and Grammy-featured artist, known for her unique blend of soul, pop, jazz, and electronic sounds. As the founder of Dreamgirl, a female artist empowerment brand, Parke is committed to promoting women's voices in music. Her recent album, "Dreamgirl" showcases her versatility as an artist with themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.

Italian-American R&B/soul/pop artist, Laci Mercede, is a singer, songwriter and creative force based in the LA area. Laci's sensual tone breathes life into her emotionally connected lyrics about love, life, and coping with change. The 24-year old's music has been featured on Billboard, LadyGunn Magazine, Voyage LA, and many other outlets.

San Antonio native Angel Cintron is a songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and classically trained vocalist based in LA. Angel describes her sound as music for “sensitive gangstas.” As Angel continues to genre bend, experiment with her sound, and break all the rules, her focus remains on expressing her truest self while helping her fellow “over thinkers” to see they are not alone.

MADE Ent blends a mix of Detroit and Pakistan. Twan and Moneeb formed the group in 2010. They produce Rap, Hip Hop, R&B and Soul music. MADE is an acronym for Making All Dreams Evolve.

Detroit-born and Fort Worth-based rapper ItsErnie has made a name for himself as a rapper with tight bars. A dedicated student of the craft, his performances are trademarked by him guzzling liquor and Pedialyte onstage. In addition to his onstage antics, he also hosts a daily tik-tok series called “crazy bars I’ve heard,” which has racked up almost five million views.

In 1951, Jean Walker Bentley overcame cultural barriers and spoke out for disabled children and their families. She started the Children’s Development Center to meet the scholastic and socialization needs of children with special needs. In 1981, the Federal Government mandated that educating children with disabilities was the responsibility of public schools, so U&I shifted to be the answer for “Where do I go from here?” as individuals and families dealing with disabilities & other opportunity barriers move into life after public school.

Today, as one of the largest workforce development centers in DFW, U&I continues to meet the needs of disabled individuals by providing vocational training, job readiness training, paid work opportunities, transportation needs and community placement annually to more than 1,500 youth, adults and Veterans with all-types of intellectual, physical and/or mental health disabilities. More information about U&I is available at www.uandispreadthelight.com.

Jaguar Land Rover GM Grew Up and Raised Family in Southlake

According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released last September, the median employee tenure for men was 4.3 years and 3.8 years for women, relatively unchanged from 2020. Park Place Dealerships’ median tenure is nearly double the national average with 8 years for men and 6 years for women. Matt Woolsey, General Manager at Park Place Jaguar Land Rover DFW, recently celebrated 25 years at Park Place Dealerships.

“When I first started at Park Place, we were just beginning to use this thing called the internet,” Woolsey says with a chuckle. “Today, we have all the tools necessary to provide our Members (Park Place employees) with everything they need to do their jobs. What I love most about Park Place is the commitment to help our members learn and grow, and ultimately to ensure the client has the best experience.”

Woolsey moved to Southlake in 1980 with his parents and sister Kristina. “There were less than 1,000 people here. After graduating from Carroll High, I went to Austin and studied Business Economics at the University of Texas. Hook ‘em! I met my wife Anne there. I graduated in 1997 and got in the car business in ‘98.”

Woolsey started as a sales consultant at Park Place Motorcars in Bedford. He worked his way up to General Manager at the Mercedes-Benz store and has served as GM at Lexus Grapevine; Jaguar Land Rover North Austin; Jaguar Land Rover Porsche Volvo of Greenville, South Carolina; and Jaguar Land Rover DFW, where he currently works.

“Matt’s passion for our members makes him a leader that others are eager to follow,” said Tony Carimi, Park Place Dealerships’ Managing Director. “His relentless drive for excellence has helped him meet our clients’ needs and mentor hundreds of members. Over the years, he has assisted families with multiple generations of drivers.”

While everyone wants to be liked, Woolsey says it’s imperative he continues to earn his employees’ respect. “When I walk through the store, people see “the GM” walking by. Not the person. It’s just human nature to see the title, and not necessarily the person for who they are. I told one of my directors just last week: it is so much more important to be respected than to be liked. As leaders we have a responsibility to provide for our members and to make sure they can provide for their families. Having our members see our dedication and commitment to excellence will ultimately lead to respect. I’d love for all our team members to like me. I’m human, too!  But I’d rather have their respect.”

He and his wife Anne raised their sons Austin (23) and Bennett (20) in Southlake. “They graduated from the same high school as me. Austin graduated from Carroll in 2017. He was the band president. He graduated from UNT with a major in Jazz studies. He married his college sweetheart, and they live in Austin. Bennett graduated in 2021. He’s in Nashville pursuing his dream of being a singer/songwriter.”

Woolsey’s advice to young people just starting their careers: “Stay the course. The grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence. It’s greener where you water it. Keep working hard and great things will happen for you.”

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,400 members. Park Place Dealership operates three collision centers, an auto auction, and nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. Asbury is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

Event features 5k Glow Run, One-Mile Walk, & Live Music Experience 

from the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge

Walk. Run. And Glow on Saturday, March 25^th on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas for the 29^th Annual The Dash Experience benefiting U & I, a 72-year-old nonprofit that works to build opportunities of inclusion for veterans, adults and youth with disabilities. 

“This is a unique event as we celebrate those who are often overlooked in our community including our veterans and people with disabilities,” said Hugh Breland, CEO of U&I. “Our organization focuses on providing employment, housing, transportation and education for veterans, adults, and youth with disabilities. This family-friendly event will help us fund important programs to assist the most vulnerable in North Texas.”  

The Dash 2023 includes a certified 5k glow-run, a one-mile walk, shop small market, kids zone, food trucks and live music experience featuring Paul Wall & The Chris Perez Band. Registration is now open at TheDash23.Com or participants can register the day of the event. The 5k is $30 per person and the one-mile walk is $20 per person. On-site registration and pre-race activities begin at 4:30 p.m. Registration increases to $35 for the 5k and $25 for the one-mile walk on race day. 

There will be fun for the whole family with DJ Throwdown Sam from Majic 94.5 mixing live alongside a full line-up of amazing musicians, a Kid Zone featuring games, face painting and interactive activities; scrumptious eats at the Food Truck Alley; spirits at the Beer Garden; and local vendors in the Shop Small Market. 

The 5k race, one-mile walk and glow experience kicks off at sunset. U&I will invite participants to light up Trinity Groves with glow paint, glow sticks and other glowing surprises.

In 1951, Jean Walker Bentley overcame cultural barriers and spoke out for disabled children and their families. She started the Children’s Development Center to meet the scholastic and socialization needs of children with special needs. In 1981, the federal government mandated that public schools had the responsibility to educate children with disabilities. The organization evolved to help veterans find employment and provide vocational training for special education students preparing to transition out of high school.

Today, as one of the largest workforce development centers in North Texas, U&I continues to meet the needs of disabled individuals by providing vocational training, job readiness training, paid work opportunities and community placement to more than 1000 youth and adults with severe intellectual, physical and/or mental health disabilities. More information about U&I is available at uandispreadthelight.com.

Ah, tacos. Glorious hand-held bursts of spicy, crunchy wonderfulness. Tacos are so beloved they even have their own day. But in Texas, you can get tacos every day at one of the nearly 600 participating DQ® restaurants in Texas. 

The Texas T-Brand Tacos® — three classic-style crunchy corn shells packed with high-quality beef, shredded cheese, crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes, served with just-right spicy taco sauce on the side. Through the end of February, grab three Texas T-brand tacos for only $5.

“Our tacos are a menu staple as well as a Texas tradition,” said Lou Romanus, CEO of the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council. “We’re justifiably proud of our tacos high quality served at DQ restaurants. Fans tell us our tacos are hearty and delicious, and that’s music to our ears.”  

Tacos aren’t just for Tuesday anymore. So, grab a bag of Texas T-Brand Tacos and settle in for some great treats and eats any day of the week. The Texas T-Brand Tacos pair beautifully with the popular DQ Blizzards® Treat, floats, shakes and other scrumptious treats.

Fans can keep up with all the innovative ways to quench their cravings with “The Best Treats & Eats in Texas” in the DQ Texas mobile app.

Celebrating 75 years in the Lone Star state, DQ restaurants in Texas are friendly gathering spots where fans enjoy delicious treats and eats and create fond memories. 

About Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council 
There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators' Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas. The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. 

For more information about the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council, visit dqtexas.com or follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Texas Country artist Josh Abbott knows a thing or two about music, and he took his expertise to Cook Children’s in Fort Worth on January 6 to share his joy with kids, nurses, doctors, and staff.

“I loved visiting Cook Children’s to meet the kids and the team caring for these incredible human beings,” said Abbott. “It was great to sing, laugh, and learn about the Life Zones where the kids can forget about why they are in the hospital for a moment. It also was fun to be interviewed for Cook Children’s internal television station, CLZ TV.”

While at the children’s hospital, Abbott talked about his partnership with the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council. In June 2022, Abbott was chosen to create a fresh new sound for DQ® restaurants in Texas with one of the most recognizable jingles in the Lone Star State, “That’s What I like About Texas.”  

Abbott sang the iconic jingle as well as several of his songs for the kids and team. He talked about his music journey, the band and his family, which includes his wife Taylor, daughter Emery and son Luck.

“I love what I do, and I get to entertain people because I have a very supportive family,” said Abbott. “This visit was a wonderful opportunity to share music which can be therapeutic and healing.”

Before his departure, Abbott handed out DQ DILLY® Bars for the kids and staff.

“Nobody loves ice cream more than kids. So, the partnership between Cook Children’s and Dairy Queen is a perfect match,” said Grant Harris, Senior Vice President at Cook Children’s. “Add Josh Abbott and his music, and that makes it even sweeter. Our patient families really enjoyed connecting with him and we are thankful to Dairy Queen for making that happen.”

Cook Children’s is a member of American Dairy Queen Corporation’s longtime charitable partner, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals). ADQ has partnered with CMN Hospitals for 39 years and donates millions of dollars to support kids and families across the U.S. through a variety of programs at DQ restaurants, including Miracle Treat Day and Round Up for Kids. 

The Josh Abbott Band played at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth on January 6 & 7. 

About Josh Abbott

Josh Abbott founded the Josh Abbott Band in 2006 while attending Texas Tech University. The seven-piece group cut its teeth as a hard-touring act with hooky melodies that deliver real-world stories. Led by the true-to-life cycles in Abbott’s life, JAB explored new territory with its last two albums – in Front Row and adding strings and a horn section to Until My Voice Goes Out. The extended play Catching Fire captures a sense of personal renewal. Visit joshabbottband.com for tour dates. 

About Cook’s Children’s Health Care System 

Cook Children’s Health Care System embraces an inspiring Promise – to improve the health of every child through the prevention and treatment of illness, disease and injury. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, we’re proud of our long and rich tradition of serving our community. 

We’ve worked to improve the health of children from across our primary service area of Denton, Hood, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant and Wise counties for more than 100 years. Based on the exceptional care we provide, patients travel to Cook Children’s from around the country and the globe to receive life-saving pediatric care built on leading technology, extraordinary collaboration and the art of caring. For more information, visit cookchildrens.org. 

About Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council 

There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators' Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas. The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. 

For more information about the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council, visit dqtexas.com or follow us on Instagram,Twitter or Facebook.