The 5th Annual Nash to Naples Songwriter Fest presented by Naples Florida Rentals set for January 24, 2026 at 5:00 pm at Cambier Park, will benefit Veterans, Military Families, and children. The weekend of songs, stories and community will bring thousands of music lovers to downtown Naples to hear live performances of America’s favorite country songs and the songwriting stories behind them by award-winning Nashville songwriters. 

The event will feature Nashville songwriters Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Trevor Terndrup and Heather Morgan. During this unforgettable evening, the artists will give an inside look at the songwriting stories behind their most memorable songs while guests enjoy local food trucks, a VIP Happy Hour, pre-show kid-friendly festivities and fundraising opportunities.

Nash to Naples was founded in 2021 by Carter Hamric, a Nashville native, and Mitch Vanderhagen, a Naples native, who set out on a mission to host a Songwriter Fest that would bring the best songwriters from Nashville to the heart of Naples with proceeds benefiting worthwhile causes. Over the last four years Nash to Naples has been inspiring community, creativity, and generosity through the annual Songwriter Fest reaching over 3,500 attendees and raising more than $295,000 for local and international charities.

Thanks to a connection made by Home Base Florida Leadership Council member Don Dion and his wife Cathy, this is the first year Home Base Florida is benefitting from the event.

This year, Nash to Naples created additional opportunities and unique events including the first ever Nash to Naples: A Night on the Naples Princess. The event was held in October 2025 for VIP guests to kick off this year’s event, and it raised $75,000 for Home Base Florida and Hacienda of Hope. Also new this year is a Songwriter Workshop with Wayne Kirkpatrick to be held the morning of the Songwriter Fest. To increase fundraising, this year guests can now Sponsor a Veteran to attend the Songwriter Fest and Sponsor a Song that includes the opportunity to have the songwriter dedicate it live on stage.

“The theme is family this year,” said Vanderhagen. “We feel like that’s at the heart of both organizations who are benefiting from this year’s proceeds. Matt and Josh Jenkins are brothers, and Wayne Kirkpatrick is Trevor’s father-in-law, so the family ties run deep this year. We feel this will make for a cool, unique dynamic on stage.”

While the preferred seating for the event is already sold out, the public can still come and listen to the music and the stories. For more information about the musicians or how to attend, visit https://nashtonaples.com