*“NBC Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt is in a band – the 30 Rockers – and they performed right after he signed off of Tuesday’s newscast, during a 25th anniversary party for his other NBC gig, “Dateline.”
According to TV Newser, the 30 Rockers performed three songs: “Always Alright” by Alabama Shakes (with a bass solo from Holt), “Jane” by Jefferson Starship, and an encore of “Lonely is the Night” by Billy Squier.
The party was held at the rooftop Press Lounge, overlooking the Hudson River. A photo booth allowed attendees take pictures with Holt’s signature vest. A special cocktail, the “25 to Life” was served, featuring a mixture of Prosecco and Campari. Gift bags included gourmet popcorn and a “Dateline” tote bag.
Via TV Newser:
If Holt is at all nervous about moderating the first general election presidential debate Monday, he wasn’t showing it last night. After welcoming the crowd, which included ‘Dateline’ producers and correspondents Keith Morrison, Andrea Canning, Josh Mankiewicz, and Dennis Murphy, Holt and his band, the 30 Rockers, played a set for the crowd, with Holt on bass.
Others NBC Newsers we spotted included Kate Snow, Chuck Todd, Andrea Mitchell, Hallie Jackson, Kasie Hunt, and Peter Alexander.
Watch footage of Holt on bass below:
LIVE on #Periscope: Lester Holt jams at Dateline party. https://t.co/jhyHikq0lR
— Chris Ariens (@ChrisAriens) September 20, 2016
In other Lester Holt news, the veteran anchor gave “NBC Nightly News” the 20th consecutive across-the-board season win, going back to when Tom Brokaw anchored the broadcast. Holt’s newscast came in first for the week of Sept. 12, the third quarter and the full 2015-2016 season in all measurements.
Also, “Dateline” is among four NBC News shows to finish the 2015-16 season No. 1 in the ad-friendly A25-54 demo. The last time “Today,” “NBC Nightly News,” “Meet the Press” and “Dateline” all won the season in the demo was the 2010-11 season.
Dateline edged ABC’s “20/20” on Fridays in the demo, winning by just 26,000 viewers or 2 percent. Among total viewers, “Dateline” averaged 4.8 million for its Friday editions, giving it its fourth consecutive season win over “20/20.”
