One for All, All for One805

The fundamental importance of the work of first responders and our almost universal gratitude and support for their work and well-being was the underlying theme at Saturday’s One805LIVE! benefit. Held, as it has been for several years, at Kevin Costner’s oceanfront estate in Summerland, the seven-hour extravaganza was a sonic mishmash of genres and eras that had something to offer for just about every musical taste, and even more critically, managed to convey one of most important underlying ideas behind the work of our first responders: When it comes to supporting our community, we’re all in this together.

A surprise appearance by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex — joined for just a moment onstage by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex — to present the Heart of the Community Award to the County Fire Department’s Peer-to-Peer mental health program, was quite moving. Firefighter Sam Dudley and his adorable rescue dog Rhonda accepted the award, and Prince Harry spoke eloquently about how important it is to remove the stigma about mental health problems. 

The Prince also praised County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig for his work on behalf of mental health, which is one of the cornerstones of the services funded by the One805 nonprofit. 

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

Actor and longtime Santa Barbara resident Rob Lowe also received the Heart of the Community Award from the organization, which spoke of Lowe and his wife, Sheryl Berkoff Lowe, welcoming first responders into their home for meals and respite during various fires and other disasters.

The impressive and eclectic musical lineup featured country music superstar Trisha Yearwood in her Santa Barbara debut, with an introduction by her friend Maria Shriver. Alt-pop/punk rockers Good Charlotte — whose lead singer, Joel Madden, said that this show was the only one the band had ever done where they could just walk over from their homes down the road — was another performance highlight, with a completely different vibe (an understatement) than Yearwood’s soft country sound. 

Also crushing it on stage was The Fray, whose high-energy lead singer, Joe King, jumped into the crowd for a bit of excitement mid-set. Additional entertainment included disco diva Thelma Houston, legendary local Alan Parsons, surf-rocker Donavon Frankenreiter, Santa Barbara indie band Plastic Harpoons, DJ Bad Ash, who sang and danced and charmed her way through all of the various setups, and Elliot Easton of The Cars. In addition, Santa Barbara resident John Kay of Steppenwolf performed his famous song “Born to Be Wild” for the last time, drawing a standing ovation (and sounding freaking amazing, especially for an 81-year-old rocker). 

In addition to all of the musical entertainment, the audience, which included first responders who attended for free, as well as neighbors like Oprah Winfrey and host Kevin Costner, also cheered loudly as Richard Weston Smith, COO of One805, announced the creation of a $10 million endowment for mental health support, with an initial $1 million secured already that evening. 

Since its inception in the wake of the 2018 Montecito debris flow, One805LIVE! has become one of California’s most impactful benefit concerts, and with an estimated 3,000 people attending this weekend’s event, that legacy will most certainly continue. 

For more information about the organization (and to view auction items, still available till September 27), see One805.org.