Music With A Mission
With performances from The Four Tops, The Temptations, and Alan Parsons, One805Live! brought music legends and supporters together to fund mental health services for Santa Barbara County’s first responders.
By Maddy Sims
Gloomy weather couldn’t dampen the energy at Santa Barbara’s polo fields on Friday, September 25. Guests gathered in line for shuttles bound for Kevin Costner’s Carpinteria estate, the waterfront setting for One805’s two-day live music fundraiser, One805Live!, supporting first responders across the region.
The annual event raises money for mental health services for the men and women who respond to emergencies, often carrying the emotional weight of difficult and traumatic experiences long after a call ends. It’s a serious mission, but One805 has found a way to bring people together around it through live music, good food, and a little star power.
After a quick drive across the highway and toward the water, we stepped through the gates to find an expansive stage framed by bright lights and powerful speakers. Guests gathered around dinner tables, sipped cocktails, and swayed to the music as the evening got underway.
I loaded my plate with ribs and mac and cheese, the perfect choice for a chilly evening outdoors. There was no shortage of food or drinks, from the VIP buffet and bar to the food and beverage trucks scattered around the grounds. Once we’d eaten and grabbed a couple drinks, we made our way toward the stage, where other guests were already singing along at the top of their lungs.
The lineup was packed with familiar names, including George Thorogood, Alan Parsons, The Four Tops, and The Temptations. Celebrity guests and presenters added to the excitement, with Oprah, Chris Pratt, Maria Shriver, Rob Lowe, Josh Brolin, and Jenny McCarthy among those spotted throughout the event.
As the music picked up, more and more guests made their way to the stage, singing along to the songs they knew by heart. Alan Parsons and his band launched into their catalog of hits, causing the crowd to respond with cheers and dancing. When “Sirius” rang out, the energy picked up another notch, with guests moving along to the unmistakable tune.
The Four Tops followed with synchronized choreography and an undeniable stage presence. They played all their biggest hits, even taking requests from the audience. As the crowd belted out “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch” together, the song seemed to dissolve the distance between strangers, turning a night dedicated to a weighty cause into something wonderfully light.
The Temptations closed out the evening in matching yellow suits, bringing a welcome burst of color to the cloudy night. Their bright outfits were matched by an upbeat performance of beloved hits, with the audience enthusiastically singing the lyrics back to the group. By then, the dance floor had become a gathering place for guests of all ages, united by songs that have soundtracked generations.
The celebration continued Saturday with another impressive bill. Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo and Slightly Stoopid headlined the second day, while Costner performed with his band, Modern West. The High Kings and DJ Samantha Ronson rounded out the lineup.
Across two days of live music and celebrity appearances, One805 raised funds for the people who protect Santa Barbara County. First responders routinely face traumatic situations in the line of duty, and the mental health services One805 supports help ensure they have somewhere to turn, too. It was a weekend of great music in service of something much bigger.
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