WM Phoenix Open

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1699546811571{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open presented by Taylor Morrison – announced today NBA legend and prominent entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be the featured guest for the WM Phoenix Open Tee-Off Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 30, on the diamond at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.

Tickets are $350 per person or $3,000 for a table of 10 and can be purchased online by clicking here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_image src="https://wmphoenixopen.com/wp-content/uploads/magic_johnson_headshot_tol_900x600.jpg" image_width="900" image_height="600"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1699546823876{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}"]"The Tee-Off Luncheon serves as the official start of Open season and is a great opportunity to share with the community all of the new and exciting things we have planned for the 89^th edition of ‘The People’s Open’,” said WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman George Thimsen. “We are extremely excited to have Magic join us on stage and give an inside look into his incredible career, not only as one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA, but also one of the most influential people in all of sports.”

Johnson is an iconic American businessman and philanthropist and is widely recognized as the greatest point guard in NBA history. His illustrious, 13-year Hall-of-Fame NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers included 12 NBA All-Star appearances, five NBA championships, three NBA MVP Awards and three NBA Finals MVP Awards. For his efforts on the court and dominance in the NBA’s Western Conference, the NBA in 2022 named the Western Conference Finals MVP Award the “Earvin Magic Johnson Trophy”. Since retiring from basketball, he has been a tireless advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention, a successful entrepreneur, and a prominent figure in sports ownership, with interests in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks, Los Angeles FC, and the Washington Commanders, amassing a total of 14 championships in his career as a player (both collegiately at Michigan State and professionally for the Lakers) and as owner/executive.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The lineup for the 2024 Coors Light Birds Nest continues to come together as officials confirmed that country music superstar Dierks Bentley has committed to perform at the popular four-night concert series, which will take place Feb. 7-10 during WM Phoenix Open week.  Bentley is set to take the stage on Thursday, Feb. 8, along with special guests Mitchell Tenpenny and Meghan Patrick.

Tickets for this Thursday night show are on sale now and can be purchased online at CoorsLightBirdsNest.com. Limited tickets still remain for Wednesday’s opening night featuring HARDY and Bailey Zimmerman, while the Friday and Saturday lineups will be announced at a later date.

[/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://axs.queue-it.net/?c=axs&e=6096039171411″ target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true”]PURCHASE TICKETS[/mk_button][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1699630954322{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]“Dierks is obviously a fan favorite and one of the Birds Nest all-time best performers,” said 2024 Tournament Chairman George Thimsen. “We’re extremely excited to welcome him back to one of the Valley’s best concert venues and can’t wait to see his set under the lights at ‘The People’s Open.’”

Bentley has carved an indelible mark on the music scene with his distinctive blend of modern country and traditional roots. A Phoenix native, Bentley’s journey into the music world began when he moved to Nashville, the heart of country music, to chase his dreams. He burst onto the country music scene with his self-titled debut album in 2003, which yielded hit singles like “What Was I Thinkin'” and “My Last Name,” quickly establishing him as a rising star. Bentley’s accolades in the Country Music industry are a testament to his enduring talent. He has received countless awards, including several GRAMMY nominations, and has won numerous Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Country Music Association (CMA) awards. His albums, such as “Modern Day Drifter,” “Long Trip Alone,” and “Home,” have consistently topped the Country Music charts. Dierks Bentley’s ability to infuse his music with heartfelt storytelling and an authentic country spirit has resonated with fans worldwide, making him a beloved figure in the genre. With his career continuing to thrive and his music evolving with each release, Dierks Bentley remains a prominent force in the world of country music, leaving an indomitable legacy for generations to come.
Tenpenny is a new star in the country music scene, known for his powerful voice and compelling songwriting. He made his mark with the release of his debut album, “Telling All My Secrets,” in 2018, which was awarded RIAA Certified Gold status and the chart-topping single “Drunk Me.” The song’s raw emotion and relatable lyrics struck a chord with audiences, earning him widespread recognition and accolades. He has earned two ACM Award nominations, a CMT Music Award nomination, and eight No. 1s on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown. Tenpenny has racked up a number of RIAA Certified Singles; RIAA Certified 3X PLATINUM “Drunk Me,” RIAA Certified Gold “Alcohol You Later,” RIAA Certified Gold “Anything She Says,” and RIAA Certified Gold “We Got History,” which currently sits Top 20 at Country Radio.

Meghan Patrick, Mitchell Tenpenny’s spouse, is a Canadian country music sensation whose powerful voice and songwriting talent have launched her to stardom. Patrick’s musical journey began at an early age, and her deep love for country music became evident as she honed in her talents. With a sound that effortlessly combines traditional country roots with a contemporary edge, Meghan Patrick has become a force to be reckoned with in the country music scene. Her debut album, “Grace & Grit,” earned critical acclaim and established herself as an up-and-coming star in the country music genre. Known for her heartfelt lyrics and emotionally charged performances, Patrick continues to captivate audiences and garner accolades as one of Canada’s most promising country artists.

The Coors Light Birds Nest doors will open at 3:30 p.m. each day with its expanded outdoor patio area that will feature more live music, outdoor games, entertainment, and various food and beverage offerings.  The special guest opening act will take the main stage inside the 48,000 square foot tent at approximately 6:30 p.m. each night, with the headliners going on stage at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Coors Light Birds Nest general admission tickets will start at $95, while VIP tickets are available starting at $325 each and provide exclusive access to an enhanced VIP area where guests are treated to complimentary food and drinks and access to a premium viewing area for the shows.  Organizers encourage fans to buy their tickets early as ticket prices will increase as the event draws closer.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1698085666557{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The WM Phoenix Open volunteer program is the lifeblood of the event, deploying more than 3,200 eager volunteers throughout tournament week each year. Tournament hosts The Thunderbirds recognize the immense importance of each and every volunteer who is willing to give up part of their day to help put on the event. Simply put, “The People’s Open” doesn’t happen without our amazing volunteers.

Volunteer appreciation includes a volunteer “swag” package – free of charge, of course – including a logoed polo shirt and quarter zip, hat, pin and one free ticket for a friend of family member. Volunteers enjoy an exclusive, free parking lot, shuttle to and from the event, complimentary catered breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks.[/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://trusteventsolutions.com/event/76/home” target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true”]Register Now to be a 2024 WM Phoenix Open Volunteer[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_gallery images=”36971,36973,36975,36977,36979″ style=”style3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][mk_button dimension=”two” size=”medium” url=”https://axs.queue-it.net/?c=axs&e=6096039171383″ target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true”]PURCHASE TICKETS[/mk_button][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1694718830264{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The lineup for the 2024 Coors Light Birds Nest is starting to take shape as officials confirmed country music star and 2022 ACM award winner HARDY, and country music’s latest sensation Bailey Zimmerman have committed to perform at the popular four-night concert series, which will take place Feb. 7-10 during WM Phoenix Open week.  HARDY and Zimmerman will hit the stage on Wednesday, Feb. 7, with hip-hop recording artist mike. opening the show.

Tickets for this opening night show are on sale now and can be purchased online at CoorsLightBirdsNest.com. The remaining Coors Light Birds Nest lineup will be announced as more artists are confirmed.

“The 2024 Coors Light Birds Nest is coming in hot right out of the gate with two extremely talented, high-energy artists,” said WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman George Thimsen. “This might be the most excited we’ve ever been for an opening night, we can’t wait to watch them kick things off Wednesday under the lights.”

Coors Light Birds Nest general admission tickets will start at $90.  VIP tickets and elevated experiences are available starting at $290 each and provide exclusive access to an enhanced VIP area where guests are treated to complimentary food and drinks and access to a premium viewing area for the shows.  Organizers encourage fans to buy their tickets early as ticket prices will increase as the event draws closer.

The Coors Light Birds Nest doors will open at 3:30 p.m. each day with its expanded outdoor patio area which will feature more live music, outdoor games, entertainment, and various food and beverage offerings.  The special guest opening act will take the main stage inside the 48,000 square foot tent at approximately 6:30 p.m. each night, with the headliners going on stage at approximately 8:30 p.m.

HARDY is a prolific country music artist known for his songwriting and lyrics touching country music fans from all walks of life. He has written songs for Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane, Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett, and Morgan Wallen. The Big Loud Records’ heavy hitter has uncaged a new chapter and soared to new heights with the release of the mockingbird & THE CROW, his critically acclaimed half-country, half-rock sophomore album, adding to over 2 billion career streams. The 17-track effort debuted in the top five all genre on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and kinged seven additional Billboard charts in its first week, including Top Country Albums, Top Rock Albums, and Top Album Sales. A three-time CMA Triple Play award recipient, HARDY is the reigning ACM Songwriter of the Year, the 2022 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, and a two-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year. HARDY has written 12 #1 singles since 2018, including his own double platinum #1 single “ONE BEER” feat. Lauren Alaina + Devin Dawson, and chart-topping, platinum Dierks Bentley + BRELAND collaboration, “Beers On Me.” He’s previously toured with Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, and more.

A three-time CMA Triple Play award recipient, HARDY is a 5X ACM Award winner, including the 2023 inaugural ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year award, is the reigning BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, and a three-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year. HARDY has three No. 1s as an artist-and counting: double platinum #1 single “ONE BEER” feat. Lauren Alaina + Devin Dawson, game-changing platinum Lainey Wilson duet “wait in the truck,” and platinum Dierks Bentley + BRELAND collaboration, “Beers On Me.” HARDY has previously toured with Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, and more, and is touring now on the arena leg of his sold-out headline the mockingbird & THE CROW Fall Tour.

Bailey Zimmerman has surged to the forefront of 21st century country music with the release of Religiously. The Album., which arrived as not only the biggest all-genre streaming debut since 2021 but also the biggest streaming country debut of all time. Deriving its name from his rapidly rising current country radio single, “Religiously,” the LP entered at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 7 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. Zimmerman’s back-to-back 2x Platinum singles “Fall in Love” and “Rock and A Hard Place” both hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and have now tallied more than 1.5 billion global streams between them. Religiously. The Album. and Zimmerman’s record-shattering debut EP, Leave The Light On, propelled the breakout superstar to close out 2022 as the year’s only country artist to receive two Platinum Certifications from the RIAA and prompted Billboard to name him as their No.2 Top New Country Artist and No. 4 Top New Artist overall. The 2023 ACM Awards New Male Artist of the Year nominee and CMT Music Awards multi-nominee has ignited television audiences across the country with show-stopping performances on Good Morning America, TODAY, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! and the 58^th Academy of Country Music Awards, and incited critical applause from The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter and many more.

Opening the Wednesday night show is hip-hop artist mike. (Born Michael Francis Seander), whose musical journey started in 2012 while recovering from surgery at Duke university, where he was an All-American pitcher.  He went from making songs in his dorm room to building a loyal fan base independently & playing nearly 500 shows as Mike Stud over the past eight years, and in the last two years has been building a new sound as mike. His first rise to fame came with the release of his viral single “College Humor”, which he recorded on GarageBand ironically while he was a relief pitcher at Duke University. Wanting to make something completely unique to him, mike. combined his love for catchy melodies & feel-good song writing with modern bounces to make something that feels nostalgic & new at the same time. The sound is hard to categorize or fit into a genre, but easy on the ears & good for the vibe.

The Coors Light Birds Nest is located directly across from the main WM Phoenix Open tournament entrance at 82^nd Street and Bell Road.  The entertainment venue opens at 3:30 p.m. and closes at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Headline acts will take the main stage each evening at approximately 8:30 p.m. The Coors Light Birds Nest is a 21-and-over venue. For more information about the Coors Light Birds Nest visit www.coorslightbirdsnest.com.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable giving arm of The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open – awarded more than $2.8 million in grants to 46 Valley charities during its 2023 Spring funding cycle. Some of the largest grants include $500,000 to Valleywise Health Foundation, $300,000 to Human Services Campus, $250,000 to Arizona Housing, and $200,000 to Banner Health Foundation.  Additionally, six grants of more than $100,000 were awarded during this cycle and went to Special Olympics Arizona ($130,000), Brighter Way Institute ($125,000), Chrysalis Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence ($100,000), Teen Lifeline ($100,000), Boys and Girls Clubs of Scottsdale ($100,000), and Homeless ID Project ($100,000).

With the 2023 Spring funding cycle complete, Thunderbirds Charities has now opened its 2023 Fall funding cycle. Information about the Fall funding cycle can be found at www.ThunderbirdsCharities.org.

“We are absolutely thrilled and immensely proud to have donated more than $2.8 million to local Valley charities during this spring funding cycle,” said Pat Williams, Big Chief of The Thunderbirds.  “Giving back to our own communities and neighborhoods is at the heart of The Thunderbirds’ mission, and we couldn’t be more honored to make such a meaningful impact.”

The $500,000 grant to Valleywise Health Foundation will be directed to its Arizona Burn Center, the largest academic burn center in the nation and Arizona’s only nationally verified burn center serving the entire Southwest. The Center treats some of the most complex and traumatic burn and wound cases.

The $300,000 grant to Human Services will provide funding and aid to its Critical Client Services that provides Assessment, Diversion, Post Office, Day Room, Navigation, Housing Match, Case Conferencing, Overnight COVID Shelter, Respiro Shelter, Shower Program, Safe Storage, a Welcome Center open 24 hours a day, and Street Outreach. These services, in collaboration with partner services located on and off the Campus, provide a holistic solution for each person’s unique barriers to housing.

Arizona Housing will use the $250,000 grant to go towards HVAC upgrades at its location at 209 W. Jackson St. to help those in need stay cool during Arizona’s hot summer. Arizona Housing’s mission is to assist individuals and families attain self-sufficiency through the provision of dignified housing and services.

Banner Health Foundation was awarded $200,000 from Thunderbirds Charities to support their highly impactful Home Away From Home Cancer Patient Housing Community. The cost of local lodging is concerning for patients and families who travel to receive care at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, especially those whose treatment protocol requires multiple days or weeks of daily therapy or immediate or extended hospitalization. These patients and their supportive care partners must stay near the Cancer Center for lengthy periods—often at great personal expense, as insurance does not cover these costs. In some cases, these expenses prevent patients from receiving life-saving treatment or adhering to medical protocols.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”36547″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]