One805LIVE! turns Kevin Costner’s Estate into a Star-Powered Stage and Secures Mental Health Endowment for Local First Responders

The Pacific shimmered beyond Kevin Costner’s oceanside lawn on Saturday, September 20, 2025, as One805LIVE! transformed the Summerland property into California’s most exclusive stage. What began as a benefit concert has evolved into a signature show of community strength, celebrity star power, and lasting impact for Santa Barbara County’s first responders. This year delivered all three in abundance: moving tributes, arena-caliber performances, a cutting-edge aviation demo—and a milestone announcement that could redefine long-term wellness support for those who run toward danger.

The night’s most poignant moments unfolded not under spotlights but amid quiet recognition. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, joined by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, presented the Heart of the Community Award to the County Fire Department’s Peer-to-Peer mental health program. Standing with firefighter Sam Dudley and his rescue dog, Rhonda, the Duke underscored the urgency of destigmatizing mental health care in high-stress professions and praised retiring County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig.

“The department doesn’t work without leadership like yours,” the Duke said. “You have managed to completely destroy any stigma that exists, and the leadership you’ve shown your team is exemplary.”

Actor, longtime advocate, and local resident Rob Lowe was also honored with a Heart of the Community Award for sustained efforts on behalf of first responders and for championing One805’s commitment to provide no-cost access to mental health clinicians. The applause that followed both presentations set the tone for a night that balanced celebration with substance.

On stage, the lineup was as stacked as any festival bill, headlined by country icon Trisha Yearwood in her Santa Barbara debut. She was joined by a multigenerational slate of music legends and chart-toppers, including Good Charlotte, The Fray, Thelma Houston, Alan Parsons, Donavon Frankenreiter, Plastic Harpoons, DJ Bad Ash, and Elliot Easton of The Cars.

In a historic moment, John Kay of Steppenwolf delivered a roaring farewell to the road with his last-ever performance of “Born to Be Wild,” a send-off that brought the crowd to its feet in a sustained ovation. Yearwood’s powerhouse vocals and Kay’s rock-and-roll sign-off bookended a program that moved smoothly from nostalgia to new energy, echoing the event’s theme of honoring legacy while investing in the future.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, hundreds of first responders—invited to attend for free—raised red glow sticks, painting the estate lawn in a field of light. It was a simple but striking gesture that captured the lifeline these men and women extend to the community every day. Among those looking on were Oprah Winfrey, Maria Shriver, and Cheryl Lowe, part of a Santa Barbara audience that has helped One805LIVE! become one of the state’s most impactful benefit concerts.

In a philanthropic reveal, One805’s Chief Operating Officer Richard Weston Smith announced the formation of a $10 million endowment dedicated to first responder mental health support, with $1 million already secured as of Saturday night. The fund aims to stabilize and expand access to clinician care and peer support across agencies countywide—an investment designed to outlast individual fundraising cycles and meet need where it exists, when it exists. The announcement further aligns with One805’s model of providing countywide resources that agencies might otherwise struggle to fund within annual budgets.

Technology’s role in public safety also took center stage. Guests were treated to a display flight by Pivotal, One805’s 2025 festival partner, showcasing the company’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The demonstration illustrated how rapidly deployable air platforms could extend the capabilities of first responders, offering new possibilities for reconnaissance, transport, and disaster response in a region where wildfires, mudflows, and coastal hazards demand speed and flexibility.

Beyond the stage and tarmac, fundraising continued in real time. The One805 Live Auction remains open through Sunday, September 28, inviting supporters to bid on luxury travel, exclusive experiences, and other standout items, with every dollar benefiting Santa Barbara County first responders.

The auction complements One805’s year-round model: according to the organization, 100% of direct donations flow into a fund overseen by a Chiefs Advisory Board, which awards grants for mental-wellness programs for first responders and their families, as well as critical equipment not covered by agency budgets. One805’s events—including this marquee concert—are funded by ticket sales and sponsorships, not donor-designated funds, with artists donating their performances and waiving fees. The organization, a 501(c)(3) public charity, emphasizes transparency in how dollars are raised and spent, a stance that has helped build trust across the county’s fire, police, and sheriff departments and with local donors.

“One805LIVE! isn’t just a concert—it’s a reminder of what’s possible when an entire community comes together for the people who safeguard us,” said Kirsten Cavendish Weston-Smith, One805’s co-founder and CEO. “This year’s event was historic not just for the music and the moments, but for the foundation it sets for long-term support of First Responder mental health.” 

That origin story is now local lore. One805 emerged in the aftermath of the 2018 Montecito debris flow, when the community rallied to thank and support first responders with the “Kick Ash Bash,” a marathon celebration that drew thousands and raised critical funds. In the years since, One805LIVE! has reinforced its reputation for pairing A-list talent with grassroots impact. Past performers have included Pink, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, John Fogerty, David Crosby, Kevin Costner, Kenny Loggins, and Joe Bonamassa—a roster that reflects the region’s deep bench of artists willing to show up for their neighbors.

Saturday’s production also showcased the local businesses that keep the county’s cultural engine humming. Food and beverage sponsors spanned a who’s who of regional vintners and purveyors—Foley Family Wines, Presqu’ile, Babcock Winery, Vega Vineyard, AMV Wine, Grassini Family Vineyards, Margerum Wines, Golden Eagle Vodka, The Botanist Gin, Nosotros Tequila, and Figueroa Mountain Brewing—alongside Omni Catering and Seasons Catering, with zero-proof offerings from Drømme and Daytrip. Aviation and transportation partners included Santa Barbara Airbus and Pegasus Transit. Media partner Crackyl Magazine and additional supporters like Flair Project, the Santa Barbara Polo Club, and Lucky’s Steakhouse rounded out an ecosystem of sponsors and community institutions standing behind the cause.

By evening’s end, the glow sticks had dimmed, but the night’s message endured: caring for first responders means more than applause after a crisis. It requires sustained investment in mental health, modern equipment, and the kind of community infrastructure that keeps help close at hand. The newly announced endowment, combined with One805’s grantmaking model and ongoing auction, positions the nonprofit to scale that commitment in the months and years ahead.

For a county that knows disaster up close—from wildfires to debris flows—the stakes are personal. One805’s promise is similarly intimate: prepare the community for emergencies, equip first responders with what they need, and support their mental health and wellbeing. On Saturday in Summerland, that mission looked like a coastline concert, a prince’s tribute, a rocker’s final roar, and a sky lit red for the people who keep watch over us all.

The One805 Live Auction remains open through Sunday, September 28. To bid, donate, or learn more about tickets and sponsorships, visit One805.org.