Kennedi Landry: Rangers broadcasting legend

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RALEIGH — Eric Nadel, a Rangers radio announcer, has devoted his career to promoting mental health awareness in the region of North Texas.

Throughout his tenure in Texas, Nadel has organized a number of charitable events. The largest of his projects has been his yearly Birthday Benefit Concert, which is held the week before his birthday each year.

The annual Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit performance at Dallas’ Kessler Theater raises money for a number of charity and mental health groups in the DFW region. For the third time in the occasion’s eleven-year history, the Grant Halliburton Foundation will benefit on May 18.

Nadel is particularly interested in this year’s fundraiser because he is still coping with the worst mental health crises of his own life. Nadel would have been in the Rangers’ broadcast booth for his 45th season in 2023, but the Ford C. Frick Award winner took a break in March to deal with his depression, insomnia, and anxiety.

Everyone asks, “How are you doing?,” and everyone wants answers, but Nadel stated she didn’t really want to get into specifics about her therapies, treatments, and other such things. “However, I do want people to be aware that there are many options available; there are, of course, their medications, but there are also a variety of various therapies. Personally, I’ve been trying a number of those.

Although tickets for the event have been sold out, an online auction is still open and will finish on May 18 at 9 p.m. On the day of the event, the Birthday Benefit will also feature a live and silent auction at the Kessler. All contributions will go toward the Foundation’s educational initiatives on mental health and suicide prevention for kids, teens, and young adults in North Texas.

With the circumstances I’m in, Nadel stated, “What Grant Halliburton does is even more important than it has ever been.” “They put so much effort towards eradicating the stigma associated with mental health conditions and inspiring individuals to seek assistance. Since several of them have written to me, I am aware that what I’ve been through is helping some folks with comparable problems reach out for assistance.

“I appreciate everyone who has been in touch, both those who have praised me and others who have just given their love and support. Very overpowering, in fact.

As the concert’s title charity entering its third year, the Grant Halliburton Foundation’s Birthday Benefit is one of its major fundraising events.

In North Texas, The Foundation has established itself as a go-to source for mental health difficulties. It created HereForTexas.com, a searchable online directory of mental health services in North Texas, as well as the free helpline Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line. Both of these community services are free and aimed at providing simple access for Texans looking for resources and information about mental health and addiction.

The Foundation also provides free monthly Coffee Days peer support groups for mothers and female caregivers of children with emotional or mental health issues.

Once more, Nadel remarked, “I’ve been able to help raise awareness about mental health issues and erase the stigma with what I’ve been through.” Of certainly, Grant Halliburton’s work with students and teachers will be beneficial. Nearly 300,000 people have supposedly been reached and instructed on how to identify and interact with those who may be struggling with mental health difficulties.

The auction features a number of autographed items, a private tour of the ballpark led by John Blake, a number of celebrity dinners, including those with Rangers pitcher Taylor Hearn and third base coach Tony Beasley, a round of golf with Derek Holland, and the chance to spend an inning in the PA announcer’s booth with Chuck Morgan.

The National Baseball Hall of Famer’s 2023 event will also include special guest Daphne Willis, a personal friend of Nadel, as the opener, and headliner Danielle Ponder.

“[Ponder] has an amazing story,” Nadel remarked. She is a Rochester, New York, native. She is in her early 40s and played in bands on the side while working as a public lawyer in Manchester up until 2018. Then she made the decision to switch careers and pursue music professionally full-time. She’s about to break through to the big time. She was hired just in time for the performance. She is a compelling speaker with a salient message. The show will therefore be spectacular.

Nadel, who is 45 years old overall but is in his 27th year as the principal voice of the Texas Rangers radio broadcasts, thanks Matt Hick, Jared Sandler, and the other staff for producing outstanding broadcasts while he was away. But he also adds that he looks forward to going back to the booth because he is growing better every day.

Without a doubt, Nadel will come back as soon as he can. He will continue to put his attention on helping others and raising awareness of mental health issues in Texas in the interim.

Nadel stated, “I’ve been feeling better. It’s been incredibly difficult, but I’m starting to feel better and more like myself. I truly have no idea when I’ll be back in the booth, but I’m hopeful it will happen eventually.

I’ve been listening to the radio and watching sports on TV. The team has me so fired up. They’re simply producing amazing outcomes. Without me, the broadcast team is doing fantastic work. They’ve all been outstanding, especially Matt, Jared, and the men that were filling in. That has somewhat eased my burden.