A public petition is calling on Huntsville city leaders to rename Mars Music Hall in honor of late blues musician Dave “Microwave Dave” Gallaher.
Supporters say the move would create a lasting tribute to one of the city’s most influential music and education advocates.
The online Avaaz petition, created by a local fan, asks the Huntsville mayor and city council to rename the venue the “Microwave Dave Music Hall.” As of the petition’s latest update, it had drawn more than 100 signatures toward a stated goal of 200.
The petition describes Gallaher as a cornerstone of Huntsville’s music scene, citing his impact as a performer, blues educator, and mentor to young musicians. Supporters say renaming the hall would establish a permanent legacy recognizing both his artistic career and his decades of community service through music.
Gallaher, 80, known professionally as Microwave Dave, died this weekend after a long career that spanned international performances and more than three decades of work in Huntsville’s musical and educational circles.
He was an internationally recognized blues artist and frontman for Microwave Dave & the Nukes, performing across the United States and Europe, and earning honors including Southern Blues Guitarist of the Year/Modern in 2003.
Beyond performance, Gallaher was widely known for his focus on music education. He regularly appeared in schools, performed on campuses, and worked directly with students to introduce them to the history and structure of blues music.
Those efforts helped inspire the creation of the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to music education and supporting youth programs.
City leaders publicly highlighted those contributions following his passing. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said Gallaher was “one of the most generous and giving people I have ever known,” adding that he believed deeply in music education and worked tirelessly to support local schools and students’ access to instruments and opportunity.
In 2015, the city proclaimed an official Microwave Dave Day in his honor and presented him with a key to the city during a tribute concert that also marked the launch of the education foundation. The annual Microwave Dave Day celebration continues as a family-friendly event featuring local performers and recognizing a musician and music educator each year for their contributions to music instruction in North Alabama.
Fellow musicians also emphasized his personal character and mentorship. In a public tribute message, Nukes drummer James Irvin described Gallaher as a steady, kind presence on and off the road, saying he consistently treated audiences, venue workers, and bandmates with gratitude and respect, and focused on bringing people joy through music.
The petition states that renaming Mars Music Hall would serve as a fitting memorial and a visible reminder of Gallaher’s influence on Huntsville’s music culture. Whether the proposal advances or not, petition supporters say the signature campaign itself reflects how strongly many in the community want his legacy permanently connected to the city’s live music scene.
Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.
