MEET SCENE-MAKER, REVELATOR, PRODUCER, DIRECTOR AND DEEP ELLUM PIONEER FOUNDER OF THE DOOR, THE PROPHET BAR, THEATRE GALLERY
Russell David Hobbs is a controversial character. From obscure suburban beginnings, Russell was thrust into the spotlight as he founded the Theatre Gallery and The Prophet Bar and pioneered Dallas’ influential Deep Ellum scene. In 1984 Dallas was the epitome of materialism, Russell David Hobbs moved into a ghost town and challenged the people of Dallas Texas to leave the mall behind with their branded shirts, plastic lifestyle and come to Deep Ellum to answer the question “Who Are You?”
Multitudes now had the place to make art, music, wear clothes to express themselves. The scene blew up and Dallas has never been the same. The cool art scene that Deep Ellum was in the late 1980s and 90s produced such bands as the New Bohemians, Rev. Horton Heat, The Old 97’s, Toadies, Tripping Daisy, Bowling For Soup and many more.
After his highly visible conversion to Christ, Russell testified of meeting the Living God which stirred up revival and much controversy. A few years later he left the city to spend several years in the wilderness where he received greater revelation of God’s character and a vision to bridge the gap between the church and the “secular” world through the arts. From this season also came his book entitled “In the Power of His Resurrection”. The Dallas Morning News once referred to Hobbs as Dallas’ most famous born-again Christian.
In 1998 Hobbs founded an arts center in Deep Ellum, called The Door. This open door of opportunity had a 20 year run and birthed the
all-ages concert scene which was the incubator for acts such as St. Vincent, Sarah Jaffe, Forever Sickest Kids and introduced Dallas to the likes of the Lumineers, Dua Lipa and Fall Out Boy.
The artists and musicians that emerged from the un-pretentious Deep Ellum scene have gone on to have international impact, therefore the spirit and message of Deep Ellum lives on.
Hobbs is now involved in several motion picture and television endeavors and a streaming platform, acting as producer, Director.
Available for speaking engagements- [email protected]