Don Caldwell, 79, of Lubbock, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Houston, TX. 

A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 3:00 pm Wednesday, May 29th, 2024, at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Theater. Interment to follow at Englewood Cemetery in Slaton. Arrangements are being handled by Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton and flowers provided by United Supermarket Market Street. 

Don was born on January 17, 1945, in Slaton, Texas to James Edward and Mildred Pauline Caldwell.

Growing up, Don was a gifted athlete. He loved football and baseball and was even scouted by the St. Louis Cardinals. His athletic career ended due to a back injury during football and while recovering he was given a Louis Prima record featuring saxophonist Sam Butera. Don was so inspired he took up sax and by the age of seventeen he was already playing professionally. He graduated from Slaton High School in 1963.

Don majored in applied music at Texas Tech University where he was the featured soloist with the noted Tech jazz ensemble. After college he served as a staff musician and arranger for various record labels including RCA and Capital.

In 1971, with the help of Buddy Holly’s manager Norman Petty, Don established Don Caldwell Recording Studios in Lubbock. His studio quickly became the premier recording studio for aspiring artists in the South Plains. Notable clients included Joe Ely, The Maines Brothers, Terry Allen, Jessie Taylor, Kiss, DeForest Kelly (of Star Trek), Michael Martin Murphy, Al Perkins, Marty Stuart, Night Ranger, Jay Boy Adams, Doug Smith, The Nelsons, Richie McDonald, Natalie Maines and Pat Green.

In 1977, he produced the KLLL West Texas Saturday Night Opry. It was this event that soon set the stage for what would eventually become Caldwell Entertainment.  Over the following decades, Don continued to develop his skills and immerged at the forefront of concert production in West Texas. 

In 1991, Don was instrumental in establishing Broadway Festivals, Inc. for which he produced multiple festivals including the 4th on Broadway Celebration, which is still to this day, the largest free festival in Texas.

In 1993, Don, with a group of investors, renovated the historic Cactus Theater. His theater brought local, national, and international talent to Lubbock and the surrounding area. The re-opening of the Cactus soon led to the revitalization of the historic Depot District, inspiring live music venues throughout the city. Even up to his final days, Don worked to foster local talent through projects like Lubbock Music Now and was creating his own television show spotlighting the local music scene for PBS. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter, Angie Caldwell.

Don is survived by his wife Terri, his children Tim Baxter of Dallas, TX, Todd Caldwell and Beth Callen of Brooklyn, NY, Cami Caldwell of Nashville, TN, Toby and Ryan Caldwell of Springfield, TN and his grandchildren Tessa Caldwell Bedassa, Charlie Bo Caldwell and Amelia Jean Caldwell.

The Caldwell family would like to thank the City of Lubbock, the West Texas community, and friends throughout the country for the outpouring of love and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the nonprofit organization Flatland Productions, Inc., at P.O. Box 2526, Lubbock, Texas, 79408.

The service may be livestreamed at KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock.