Nate Fowler

From AFI Dallas to Spring Gallery Night in Fort Worth, it’s a busy weekend for North Texas arts. Adding to the what-to-do logjam are a pair of worthy local-music shows within walking distance of each other in eastern Deep Ellum.

First, the no-brainer: the CD-release show and party for Salim Nourallah’s new release, Constellation, at the Sons of Hermann Hall. Serial nice guy Nourallah, 40, is one of Dallas’ indie treasures, and not just as a musician; he, Stuart Sikes and the pAper chAse‘s John Congleton are the area’s most sought-after record producers. (Nourallah’s recent credits include and the Old 97’s‘ nationally lauded comeback disc, Blame It On Gravity). According to this interview, Constellation is not only Nourallah’s crowning achievement as a recording artist, but it may also be his last album. Blame both gravity (i.e., age) and his knob-twiddling talent for that.

Meanwhile, at the Amsterdam Bar near Fair Park, a benefit for Dallas hard-rock mainstay Nate Fowler (American Fuse, Nate Fowler’s Elixir) will commence. Like many dedicated musicians (much less artists), he can’t afford health insurance — which would have come in handy when his left forearm and wrist were severely fractured in a car wreck early last year. Not only will Fowler perform (and, we hear, play guitar) for the first time since the wreck, but a bunch of local rock notables will play beforehand, including the BAcksliders, KERA/Art&Seek’s own Paul Slavens and the rarely spied punk poet Spyche. So many wanted to perform, in fact, that a second show on Sunday will feature the Happy Bullets, Rahim Quazi and – guess who? – Salim Nourallah. Don’t be surprised; he’s that kind of guy.