Charles Esten and Dermot Mulroney Reuniting at The Birchmere for a Hometown Alexandria Celebration

ALEXANDRIA, VA – There’s something extraordinary about childhood friendships that last a lifetime — especially when they help shape careers, creativity, and artistic dreams along the way.

That is certainly true for actor, musician, and singer-songwriter Charles Esten and actor-musician Dermot Mulroney, whose friendship began decades ago in Alexandria and continues today both onstage and off.

Esten, best known for his starring role as Deacon Claybourne on the television series Nashville and more recently for his work on Outer Banks, moved to Alexandria at age 9 and later graduated from Alexandria City High School — then known as T.C. Williams High School. It was during those formative school years that he first met Dermot Mulroney through Dermot’s younger brother, Kieran.

“I was in third grade when I first met Dermot,” Esten recalled. “He was instantly the coolest guy I knew. All these years later, he still is.”

According to Esten, Mulroney, and their circle of Alexandria friends played an important role in encouraging him to pursue acting and music professionally. Those early creative connections helped spark careers that would eventually take both men to Hollywood, recording studios, and concert stages while maintaining the deep friendship that began here at home.

The Alexandria roots still run deep for all three performers.

Dermot Mulroney, who was born in Alexandria and also graduated from T.C. Williams, once fondly recalled to the Alexandria Times memories of “jumping off piers into the Potomac” and delivering newspapers through Rosemont as a boy growing up in the city. The Mulroney brothers also developed their early musical instincts in student orchestras and school performances long before their acting careers took off.

In fact, according to Alexandria City High School’s student publication Theogony, Kieran Mulroney and Esten once performed together in school talent shows as teenagers — an early glimpse of the musical collaboration that continues decades later.

Esten himself has frequently spoken about how much Alexandria shaped him creatively and personally. Before a previous hometown performance at The Birchmere, Esten reflected on the city’s impact on his life and career.

“I’m just really grateful specifically to so many people that made an impact on me and made me who I am today,” Esten said in a hometown interview, “and just in general to this town and the fact that I was fortunate enough to be raised here.”

He has also credited Alexandria’s schools and arts opportunities for nurturing generations of creative talent.

“I think it almost certainly had something to do with the opportunities they were offered here in Alexandria and the chances to express yourself in that way,” Esten said.

That lifelong bond — and shared musical passion — will come full circle on May 29, when Esten joins Dermot and Kieran Mulroney onstage at The Birchmere for a special hometown-area performance with their band, Jackrabbit.

Jackrabbit, the Americana-leaning country group co-led by Dermot and Kieran Mulroney, has developed a loyal following for its blend of heartfelt songwriting, twangy guitars, layered harmonies, and emotionally rich storytelling. Drawing from classic country, folk, and Americana influences, the band delivers an intimate sound rooted in authenticity and longtime musical collaboration.

For Esten, sharing the stage again with the Mulroney brothers is more than just another concert date.

“It’s always an absolute thrill to join Dermot and his brother on stage,” Esten said. “They are quite literally my two oldest and dearest friends, so not only do I love their incredible harmonies and heartfelt cowboy country sound, I just love their presence near me onstage.”

The trio previously reunited for a memorable performance at the famed Troubadour in West Hollywood in 2024, rekindling the same musical chemistry and camaraderie they first discovered as young friends growing up in Alexandria.

Esten released his debut solo album, Love Ain’t Pretty, in January 2024 while continuing a busy acting career and touring schedule throughout the United States and Europe. Though audiences know him from television and film, music has long remained central to his creative life.

Mulroney, whose acting career spans decades with acclaimed performances in films including My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Wedding Date, Young Guns, and August: Osage County, has likewise maintained a deep connection to music throughout his career, often performing live and collaborating with fellow musicians between film projects.

And for Mulroney, bringing the music — and the friendship — back to the Alexandria area makes the upcoming Birchmere show especially meaningful.

“Playing with our life-long, growing-up friend and Nashville mainstay Charles is special,” Mulroney said. “He is a great songwriter and has the voice of an angel. The Birchmere is gonna be one helluva show!”

Tickets are in high demand, so if you want to see the show, visit here: Jackrabbit Tickets Alexandria, VA 5/29/2026 7:30PM | Birchmere Music Hall