On Friday, December 12, 2025, Dalton and The Sheriffs will take the stage at Boston’s House of Blues for the last time before entering an indefinite hiatus. The nearly sold-out show marks not only the close of a beloved Boston band’s decade-long chapter but also a continuation of their longstanding commitment to community. This year’s performance—co-headlined by the dynamic rock and blues outfit Ghost Hounds —will double as a major fundraiser for Boston Children’s Hospital and its Ryan Seacrest Studio. For frontman Brian Scully, this final performance is an opportunity to celebrate everything the band built—and everything their fans gave in return.

A Band That Never Followed the Model—They Built Their Own

For the uninitiated, Scully offers a striking one-line descriptor of the band’s sound:“We’re what Counting Crows might’ve been if they hadn’t lost to Nirvana.” It’s tongue-in-cheek, sure, but it captures the blend of heartland storytelling, rock energy, and country grit that has long made Dalton and The Sheriffs difficult to categorize—yet profoundly easy to love. Unlike many Boston acts that rose through traditional industry pipelines, Dalton and The Sheriffs came up the old-fashioned way. It was, as Scully describes it, “100% grassroots.” Early attempts to form bands fizzled, but when Scully connected with a group of South Shore musicians, everything clicked. What began as jam sessions for friends evolved into packed bar shows, a swelling fanbase, and a reputation for high-energy, emotionally charged performances “We were always in this weird space,” Scully says. “Too rock for Nashville, too country for Boston. But our crowd—nurses, firefighters, teachers, hockey fans—they understood us. They showed up.”

Storytelling at the Center

Scully’s background in journalism shaped his songwriting, grounding it in lived experience and observation. When asked which track best represents the band, he immediately names “Boston.” “We tried recording that song three or four times with different lineups,” he recalls. “It never quite landed until we had this version of the band. Then it just… clicked. It became our anthem.”

A Live Legacy Built on Joy and Connection

Dalton and The Sheriffs’ concerts have earned a near-mythic reputation in New England’s music scene. Known for blistering performances and genuine camaraderie with their audience, the band approaches every show as a celebration. “What’s the philosophy?” Scully repeats. “Honestly, we just feel lucky. Everyone in the band feels grateful to be onstage. We feed off the crowd, and they feed off us. Every show is really a collaboration.” That collaborative energy helped propel them from the sticky floors of Lansdowne Pub to an eight-show residency at the House of Blues—culminating in this final performance. “It’s surreal,” Scully says. “We don’t take any of it for granted.”

A Commitment to Boston—On and Off the Stage

A defining element of the band’s identity has always been its commitment to giving back. Nearly every Boston performance includes a fundraising component, supporting causes across Massachusetts. Their final show continues that tradition, supporting the Ryan Seacrest Studio at Boston Children’s Hospital—a cause the band has long championed.

This year, Ghost Hounds join Dalton and The Sheriffs in amplifying that mission. The co-headliners expressed their enthusiasm, saying:

“We are excited for the show! Many thanks to the Citizens House of Blues in Boston, Chanel Haynes, Dalton & The Sheriffs and everyone involved helping put this together to spotlight the incredible work of both Boston Children’s Hospital and Ryan Seacrest Foundation, who are doing vital work supporting pediatric patients and their families. It’s going to be a very special night.”

The partners behind the cause echoed that gratitude.Meredith Seacrest Leach, Executive Director and CEO of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, shared:

“We are so grateful to Ghost Hounds and Dalton & The Sheriffs for their continued support of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and our Seacrest Studios across the country. Their generosity helps us bring creativity, connection, and joy to children in hospitals nationwide.”

Boston Children’s Hospital also acknowledged the bands’ impact. Kirsten Getchell, Child Life Clinical and Program Manager, noted:

“Thank you to Ghost Hounds and Dalton & The Sheriffs for your incredible generosity in directing proceeds from this concert to support the work in our Seacrest Studio at Boston Children’s Hospital. We are reminded every day how music and live entertainment can make a child’s time in the hospital a little bit brighter.”

A Pause, Not a Breakup

After more than a decade of touring, recording, and building a fiercely loyal community, Dalton and The Sheriffs are stepping away while still united. “We’re ending at a moment where everyone’s happy,” Scully says. “We want to stop before burnout or bitterness. Sometimes, like any family, you need a vacation. But I’ll still be making music—me, myself, and my guitar.”

A Final Boston Celebration — and a Chance to Win Tickets

December 12 is poised to be an emotional night for fans and performers alike. Dalton and The Sheriffs will deliver the kind of show that defined their rise—energetic, heartfelt, and unapologetically Boston—alongside the powerhouse presence of Ghost Hounds. 

For fans who haven’t secured tickets yet, Following Backstage is giving away a free pair. To enter, log into Instagram, visit @followingbackstage, find the giveaway post, and comment to be entered to win tickets to the December 12th show.

For Scully, the goal of this final performance is simple: “We want to go out on a high. Boston gave us so much—we want to give it right back.” With tickets nearly gone and a charitable cause at the center of the night, the show promises to be both a celebration and a farewell worthy of Dalton and The Sheriffs’ legacy. Raise a glass, raise your voice, and join the moment. 

Dalton and The Sheriffs take their final bow on Friday, December 12, at the House of Blues—alongside co-headliners Ghost Hounds—for a night of music, gratitude, community, and giving back.