Centennial Concert Series

When

Where

Description

The Route 66 Visitor Center is turning up the volume in celebration of 100 years of the Mother Road with the Centennial Concert Series, presented by the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame.

Join the celebration every Saturday from April 11 through May 30, noon to 4 pm, for live performances by some of New Mexico’s most celebrated musicians. Enjoy the sounds of local talent, grab a bite from local food trucks, and sip on a drink from Tractor Brewing Company.

While visiting, explore Centennial Roots, a striking photographic exhibit that captures the landscapes, cultures, and traditions shaped alongside Route 66 in New Mexico.

Entertainment Schedule

Saturday, May 30 – Funk & Soul

• 12 p.m. – DCN Project
• 1 p.m. – Animated Jukebox
• 1:45 p.m. – Jerry Lopez & Lenny Lopez
• 2:30 p.m. – David & Company

Food and Drink Options

Come hungry and enjoy a variety of local flavors available for purchase. Visit the Zia Strong Snac Shac food truck for sopapilla tacos, or try a loaded hotdog from The Original Chicano Dog. Sip on a refreshing cold beer from Tractor Brewing Company.

Performers

DCN Project

Sondra Isaminger was born in Wiltshire, England, and later made Albuquerque, New Mexico her home. She began singing professionally as a teenager, touring the West Coast as the featured vocalist for groups such as Curiosity and Bell & Arc. In 1982 she met guitarist John Isaminger, and together they built both a musical partnership and a family, marrying in 1984 and raising daughters Victoria and Michelle. After the loss of their daughter Michelle and Sondra’s own battle with cancer, she found renewed purpose through music and community service. She and John formed Under the Influence, becoming one of New Mexico’s premier Christian and inspirational groups, with Sondra’s powerful voice touching countless lives. Today, the DCN Project, led by John and daughter Victoria, continues to honor Sondra’s legacy with a special musical tribute.

Sondra Isaminger was inducted into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame in 2025.

Animated Jukebox

Donny Tesso was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona, where he developed a passion for music at an early age and began playing bass at just eight years old. By eleven, he was performing with his father’s country band, Freddy Tesso and the Desperados, while also exploring jazz and pop ensembles throughout high school. His talent earned him a full scholarship with Up With People and later a music scholarship to Arizona Western College. After years of touring, Donny moved to Las Vegas in the mid‑1980s, a period that shaped him into a versatile, in‑demand musician. He relocated to Albuquerque in 1988, where he built a decades‑long career marked by national endorsements, lifetime achievement awards, and widespread recognition. Today, he performs with Animated Jukebox alongside his daughters, D’ette and D’anna, continuing a proud family musical legacy.

Donny Tesso was inducted into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame in 2024.

Jerry Lopez & Lenny Lopez

The Lopez Family, hailing from Santa Fe, trace their musical roots back to the 1950s when patriarch Gilberto Lopez Sr. was already a respected Northern New Mexico musician. Brothers Gilbert and Jerry began performing as young mariachi singers in the early 1960s, appearing on the nationally televised Val De La O Show and opening for major international stars such as Antonio Aguilar, Flor Silvestre, and Javier Solis. At just 14, Jerry represented New Mexico as a musical ambassador in Osaka, Japan. The brothers later formed La Compañia with younger brother Lenny, eventually relocating to Las Vegas in 1974. There, under the guidance of industry legend Bobby Morris, they evolved into the powerhouse group Santa Fe, later known as Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns, earning acclaim for their unmatched musicianship and performances alongside artists like Tom Scott, Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, and Grover Washington. Their influence and excellence have set the standard in the competitive Las Vegas entertainment scene.

The Lopez Family was inducted into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame in 2020.

David & Company

David Nunez is a respected New Mexico musician, vocalist, songwriter, and multi‑instrumentalist whose influence spans decades. If you’re a musician in New Mexico, you’ve likely played with him, heard him, or know his name. He first gained attention in the early 1970s as a member of the legendary group Spinning Wheel, already recognized as a powerful musical force. His career includes performances in Las Vegas, national tours, collaborations with major Tejano artists, and songwriting for national acts. Known for his humility, David is welcomed onstage wherever live music is played—musicians love saying he jammed with them. Today, he leads his own horn‑driven, high‑energy band, David & Company.

David Nunez was inducted into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame in 2008.

For more information on New Mexico Music Hall of Fame visit: New Mexico Music Hall of Fame

For the full Centennial Concert Series schedule visit: Route 66 Visitor Center — City of Albuquerque

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