Ovation Restaurant gave way to Buttons Food and Music, and the jazz music never missed a beat.
More than 30 musicians who played or sang at the much-missed west Fort Worth soul food restaurant will gather for a reunion show Jan. 31 to help pay former chef Keith “Buttons” Hicks’ medical bills.
Tickets remained early this week for the “Buttons Family Affair Benefit,” gathering musicians and staffers from the old restaurant from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Ridglea Theater.
Buttons changed hands and closed in 2020 after a 12-year run as a groundbreaking soul food restaurant and Sunday home-cooking jazz brunch. Hicks went on to co-found The Rim in Fort Worth and Burleson.
For now, Hicks is hoping for a double lung transplant. He has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
On a gofundme.com page seeking $50,000 in Hicks’ name is this message: “This stage of my Life has been a struggle. I am currently on oxygen and haven’t been able to work doing what I do Best, which is Cooking with Love! … ThankYou for the Prayers, Text, Phone calls and much appreciated Donations. Much Love!!”