Nash to Naples Launches Intimate Songwriter Showcase and Live Auction to Benefit Veterans and Children in Need

Naples, FL – Naples philanthropists and music enthusiasts are set for an unforgettable evening with the inaugural Nash to Naples: A Night on the Naples Princess Songwriter Showcase and Live Auction on October 18, 2025, at 5 p.m. aboard the city’s most luxurious yacht. The event will benefit Home Base Florida and Hacienda of Hope, supporting local Veterans, military families, and children in need.

For the past four years, Nash to Naples has inspired community and creativity through its annual Songwriter Fest held each January at Cambier Park in downtown Naples. Building on the festival’s growing popularity, organizers launched this new fall event to expand fundraising opportunities for sponsors and charities while offering VIPs and music lovers a more intimate experience with Nashville songwriters.

“When Leslie DiPiero, a longtime Nashville music executive who grew up in Naples, came to us with the idea of doing something really special on the iconic Naples Princess, it was a no-brainer,” said Mitch Vanderhagen, co-founder of Nash to Naples. “People ask us all the time if we plan additional Nash to Naples events, and this was the perfect opportunity.”

Guests will enjoy live performances by Nashville songwriting legends Bob DiPiero and Craig Wiseman, along with recording artist RaeLynn. The evening will provide an inside look at the stories behind chart-topping country hits, accompanied by light bites, drinks, and sunset views over the Gulf Coast. A live auction will raise funds for Home Base Florida and Hacienda of Hope.

“When you hear the stories of neglected children overcoming trauma through Hacienda of Hope or how Home Base Florida supports Veterans and their families, you can’t help but want to be part of these missions,” said Carter Hamric, co-founder of Nash to Naples. “We’re honored to support both organizations.”

About the Songwriters

Bob DiPiero has penned over 1,000 recorded songs, including 15 chart-toppers. A Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, DiPiero has earned 50 BMI Million-Air awards and the prestigious BMI Icon Award. His work has left a lasting influence on generations of country artists.

Craig Wiseman is a GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter with nearly 30 No. 1 hits. A three-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, he founded Big Loud, a label and publishing group behind stars like Morgan Wallen and HARDY. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.

RaeLynn, a two-time ACM nominee, has earned over one billion streams and Platinum success with hits including “God Made Girls.” Her 2023 release Broken One gained viral traction on TikTok, while her album WILDHORSE debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.

Tickets and Sponsorships

Tickets to the event are $375 per person. Sponsorship opportunities range from $2,500 to $10,000. Proceeds benefit Home Base Florida, which provides clinical care, wellness programs, and support for Veterans and families, and Hacienda of Hope, which assists young mothers and children in Ecuador. Tickets for the 5th Annual Nash to Naples Songwriter Fest on January 24, 2026, will go on sale in summer 2025. Tickets for both events can be purchased at NashToNaples.com.

About Nash to Naples

Founded in 2021 by Nashville native Carter Hamric and Naples native Mitch Vanderhagen, Nash to Naples brings top Nashville songwriters to Naples for performances benefiting charitable causes. Over the past four years, more than 3,500 attendees have helped raise over $220,000 for local and international charities.

Collaborator Credit: Mitch Vanderhagen