Arts & Entertainment

Ricky Nelson's Sons to Rock Tarpon Stage

Fans will experience a blast from the past with hits like 'Travelin' Man' and 'Hello Mary Lou.'

On May 10 at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, chart-topping musician Ricky Nelson will be honored by his identical twin sons, Gunnar and Matthew Nelson with a night to remember.

The show, appropriately titled Ricky Nelson Rememberedis described by the Tarpon Arts Center as "a unique multimedia entertainment event" including footage of behind-the-scenes interviews, home movies and talks with celebrities who were influenced by the late musical great.

Gunnar and Matthew Nelson have found success in their own right as the band Nelson with five Top 40 Billboard hits, four No. 1 MTV music videos and selling 6.5 million albums all over the world.

Find out what's happening in Tarpon Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Matthew Nelson told Patch that despite the duo's success in the industry, they love producing nostalgia through the Ricky Nelson Remembered show.

"This is the show we choose to do, not the one we have to do," Matthew said. "These are songs that we grew up with and that we love."

Find out what's happening in Tarpon Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The family has earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as the only family in history with three generations of number one hits. Before Ricky Nelson took the music scene by storm, his parents Ozzie and Harriet Nelson were TV stars in the 1950s.

For the Nelson twins, the opportunity to pay tribute to their father, who was killed in a plane crash in 1985, is an unmatched blessing.

"It feels amazing," Matthew said of performing this particular show. "I always say that it feels like a family reunion when I do this show and because so many people grew up with my family, you can see the audience transform right in front of your eyes."

Matthew explained the transformation as a deep connection. The Nelson brothers bridge the gap between the audience and their memories.

Tickets for the Ricky Nelson Remembered show are $35 ($33 for members, students). Show time is set for 8 p.m.

Call the Tarpon Performing Arts Center for more information at 727-942-5605.

Sign up for the Tarpon Springs Patch newsletter and receive free, daily updates from around the community. Click here to sign up.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Tarpon Springs