ROCKING THE NIGHT AWAY
When the sun goes down, the sounds and energy will go up at the 2025 PGA Show in Orlando, especially on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 23. San Francisco-based rock band THIRD EYE BLIND will headline the second PGA Show Winter Jam to benefit PGA HOPE beginning at 6 p.m. in THE l RETREAT Hall at the Orange County Convention Center.
The evening of music, golf industry networking and fun foods will tee off with Brian Vander Ark, lead singer and principal songwriter for the multi-platinum alternative rock band The Verve Pipe, along with Latin Grammy-winning and Grammy performing trumpeter, songwriter, producer and DJ Spencer Ludwig. Then, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the PGA Show Winter Jam turns into full rock-and-roll mode with THIRD EYE BLIND, with Top 10 U.S. Billboard hits such as “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Jumper” and “How’s It Going to Be?”
Since its inception in 1997, THIRD EYE BLIND has recorded five best-selling albums led by Stephan Jenkins. The band’s 2021 album “Our Bande Apart” was recorded when the COVID-19 lockdown ended, with Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast and Ryan Olson of Poliça. The band has continued to have gained artistic clarification – and, surprisingly, a fanbase that is larger, younger and more dedicated than ever – since the pandemic.
“We can’t wait to take the stage in front of the movers and shakers of golf,” says THIRD EYE BLIND’s Jenkins, a longtime supporter of SeaTrees, an organization that helps restore a portion of the Palos Verdes Kelp Forest. “It’s a time to come together, let go and feed off the lights, the music and everybody up close singing as one.”
Indeed, after a productive two days of exhibitions featuring more than 1,000 leading golf companies and brands on the PGA Show floor, the 2025 PGA Show Winter Jam will allow PGA Show badge holders to kick back and enjoy an evening of music, food and drink, and networking with industry peers.
Corebridge Financial and adidas are the supporting sponsors of the 2025 PGA Show Winter Jam and will offer VIP hospitality chalets in THE l RETREAT Hall, including special access for invited guests to the concert viewing and lounge amenities. PGA HOPE, the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, will be the concert’s charitable partner. Veterans, Active Duty Military, PGA HOPE certified PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA HOPE Ambassadors and PGA HOPE graduates registered for the PGA Show will be honored as special guests.
Before THIRD EYE BLIND takes the stage, Vander Ark and Ludwig will share their multiple talents with a menagerie of eclectic music. Vander Ark’s work with The Verve Pipe is recognized worldwide for radio hits such as “Photograph”, “Hero”, “Happiness Is”, “Never Let You Down”, and the #1 smash single “The Freshmen”. During breaks from his work with The Verve Pipe, Brian launched a multifaceted solo career that has included releasing four acclaimed independent studio albums.
Ludwig, the original trumpeter in the multi-platinum band Capital Cities, earned a Latin Grammy for co-writing and performing on Fonseca’s album “Agustin.” As a solo artist, he signed with Warner Records in 2016, and as the trumpeter for Capital Cities, Ludwig has performed at Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and many other shows.
—Roger Graves