September 29, 2023
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Local News for a Global Village | www.VoiceSB.com
Backstage
When Prince Harry and Meghan visited Kevin Costner’s place for the exclusive SB party of the year, headlined by Maroon 5, thousands in the crowd would have paid to be right there onstage. I got that lucky chance.
I
JOKED TO MY FAMILY IN SPAIN that I’d gone viral. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, were all over social media, and there I was next to them, holding my camera. They’d joined the public in Carpinteria to present the One805! Heart of the Community Awards to Alexa Fullerton, who opened her house in Rincon for firefighters to rest during fires, as well as to Adam McKaig, founder of Adam’s Angels, and to Kevin Costner for offering his ten-acre oceanside estate for this fundraiser that generated a million dollars for One805 and the first responders they serve.
Oprah Winfrey interviewed Sam Dudley of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department about the traumatic experience of January 9, 2019, when he was among the first on the scene after the gas explosion, when 23 people died in the Montecito debris flows. One805 made it easy for him to get vital counseling and support. And now his station has Rhonda, the therapy dog. One805 founder Kirsten Cavendish had seen the film I’d directed a few years ago about community activism in Santa Barbara, Better Together, narrated by Christopher Lloyd. She loved it (probably as it’s about the community response to the 2018
I didn’t go to the Prince Harry, Adam McKaig, Meghan Markle, Kirsten Cavendish Weston-Smith, Co-Founder/ Chairman & CEO; and Sheriff Bill Brown private cabanas. I don’t know how many celebrities were there. Was Lynda Weinman, who designed and made the awards, there? Was Carolina Herrera, who designed Meghan’s elegant outfit, there? I don’t know. I was focused on the music.
John Fogerty, the founder, lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter of the band Creedence Clearwater Revival, celebrated that he’s just received back the rights to his music, with his son Shane playing guitar by his side. Alan Parsons and David Pack (Ambrosia), One805 board members, delighted the crowd with a tightly curated set of favorites, along with Elliott Easton (Cars), Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan). Seasoned pros Dan Navarro and Steve Postell & the Night Train Music Club
Oprah and Sam Dudley of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department
accompanied the veteran rockers. Ellen DeGeneres introduced Maroon 5, who performed an especially intimate acoustic set that showcased Adam Levine’s beautiful voice. The crowd of three thousand people sang along in full chorus. At the end, all the musicians, including opening bands Dishwalla, Peter Muller and the Kindred Souls, and The Plastic Harpoons,
Photo by Isaac Hernández-Black Photo by Quique Hernández-Black
Maroon 5
Montecito debris flow and earlier oil spills), and so she invited me to film backstage. I had an All Access golden ticket… bracelet and I spent the evening onstage.
The musicians were incredible and guests were regaled with an unforgettable show. I got to feel the sound an instant before everyone else, and also to share the perspective of a rock star with thousands of people singing along to your songs. That was amazing.
Photo by Isaac Hernández de Lipa
One805 was created in the aftermath of the Santa Barbara Thomas Fire and debris flow. The nonprofit provides much needed
emotional counseling support, as well as emergency and rescue equipment for the entire county.
Photo by Quique Hernández-Black
By Isaac Hernández de Lipa / VOICE
Photo by Quique Hernández-Black
at One805LIVE!
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle presented a Heart of the Community Award to Adam McKaig
joined together on stage for the heartwarming finale, Hey, Jude. It was a joyful night for all, including the many hard-working volunteers that helped put this together, “to take care of the first responders that take care of us.” It was a long eight hours of work, and it was all over too quickly.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle; Richard Weston-Smith, Co-Founder & COO; Kirsten Cavendish Weston-Smith, Co-Founder/Chairman & CEO; Kevin Costner; and Sheriff Bill Brown