In The News

NAPLES, FL. (June 25, 2025) – Event officials announced today the 6th edition of Live Fest presented by First Horizon Bank (NYSE: FHN) will return to Tiburon Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburon on Saturday, December 13.

Headlining this year’s premier music experience will be GRAMMY Award Winner Darius Rucker, who is returning to Naples for the first time since performing at the inaugural Live Fest. Rucker has recorded four No. 1 albums on the Billboard country chart which included “Wagon Wheel”, one of the top 5 selling country songs of all-time.

This year’s Live Fest will feature an enhanced line up of four total acts. Two additional acts will be announced later this summer. Rock Republic, who has become a local phenom in the Southwest Florida music community, will open the show. American Idol contestant and Southwest Florida resident, Casey Bishop, will also make a special appearance with Rock Republic.

Live Fest is also excited to announce First Horizon Bank as its new presenting sponsor.

“First Horizon Bank was the first corporate partner to sponsor Live Fest when it was launched in 2019, and they have been an amazing partner ever since. We are thrilled to be able to grow our partnership with First Horizon and their enhanced commitment allows us to continue delivering a first-class evening of entertainment for the Southwest Florida community,” said Steve Hagenbuckle, Live Fest Founder.

“Live Fest is one of our community’s favorite events of the year. This sponsorship isn’t just about community support – it’s a strategic investment in providing a cultural and economic dividend to Naples and Southwest Florida. We are proud to be the first presenting sponsor of Live Fest and look forward to the positive impact of this event on this vibrant region,” said David Gordley, First Horizon Naples Market President.

Live Fest will once again offer general admission tickets, prime stage front seating in the Ave Maria Live Pit and shared and private VIP hospitality experiences including the Cutwater Live Fest Club and Allegro Landscaping Stage Side Lounge. The concert staging area will include a Michelob Ultra Beer Garden, robust concession options, numerous fan activations and limited-edition merchandise. Tickets will go on-sale this Friday, June 27 at 10 a.m. at LiveFest.com.

Live Fest continues be held in conjunction with the co-sanctioned PGA TOUR & LPGA event, the Grant Thornton Invitational. Golf tickets will also go on sale this Friday, June 27 and fans will have an opportunity to purchase a golf & music combination ticket at www.gtinvitational.com.

Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide including their Double Diamond-certified (22xPlatinum) debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart plus 10 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012 and he won his third career GRAMMY Award in 2014 for Best Solo Country Performance with his Diamond-certified (11x Platinum) version of “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time. His latest album Carolyn’s Boy (featuring recent single “Never Been Over” with Jennifer Nettles) is available everywhere now as is his New York Times bestselling memoir “Life’s Too Short,” released via Dey Street in 2024.

As a lifelong philanthropist, Rucker co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. and has raised over $4.3 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament. In addition, Rucker has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and serves as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tenn. Rucker is also an avid sports fan, with his Darius Rucker Collection by Fanatics line of NFL, MLB, NHL and NCAA apparel available via Fanatics.com, and he is part of the Music City Baseball investment group working to bring an MLB team to Tennessee in addition to serving as a partner at the MGC Sports & Entertainment agency

For the latest Live Fest news and information visit www.livefest.com, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/livefestusa and follow us on Instagram @livefestusa.

Live Fest was founded in 2019 by Naples native and Tiburon Resident, Steve Hagenbuckle. Steve’s passion for music and giving back to the Southwest Florida community led him to collaborating with Wasserman Events to create Naples’ premier music experience. Live Fest prides itself on delivering first class music performances while raising awareness and funds for charity.

First Horizon Corporation (NYSE: FHN), with $81.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The

Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com.