NBA Champion Nick Nurse Brings Star-Studded Music & Golf Festival to Iowa Hometown
carroll, IA – Philadelphia 76ers head coach and NBA champion Nick Nurse is bringing a major entertainment event to his hometown of Carroll, Iowa this week with the inaugural Nick Nurse Foundation Golf and Music Festival. The festival, which kicks off with a golf tournament tomorrow, promises a unique blend of sports and music, featuring performances from Mt. Joy, The Jacksons, and Jefferson Starship.
Nurse, a Carroll native, conceived the festival as a way to give back to the community and involve connections made during his successful basketball career. The idea sparked after a memorable experience with indie rock band Mt. Joy in Philadelphia. “They had a big concert…about 17,000 (people), and he dragged me up there and we played a ‘Fleetwood Mac’ song ‘Dreams’ and I played the piano, which was an amazing experience,” Nurse recounted. This led him to explore how to integrate his professional network into a fundraising event for his foundation.
The festival’s entertainment lineup is enterprising and diverse. Mt.Joy will headline Thursday evening, and will collaborate with the Carroll and Carroll Kuemper marching bands to recreate Fleetwood Mac’s iconic 1979 “Tusk” music video. “Another great Fleetwood Mac song and video…with the USC marching band,” Nurse explained, noting the bands have been diligently practicing all summer.
Friday’s headliners represent a trip down memory lane for music fans, with performances from The Jacksons and Jefferson Starship. Nurse,a recent attendee of both bands’ concerts,highlighted the energy and enduring appeal of their music. “The Jacksons have got most of their family…and they’re going to play all the hits,” he said. He also praised Jefferson Starship’s performance, noting the surprising number of recognizable songs in their catalog.
Beyond the main stage, the festival includes exclusive events. Tuesday featured a basketball shooting camp, and Wednesday hosts a private “Nick and Friends” event with a performance by “Purple Wonder,” a Philadelphia-based band specializing in Prince and Stevie Wonder covers – featuring a singer who actually performs with Stevie Wonder. Nurse described the event as a “dress rehearsal” for the larger performances.Nurse’s journey to NBA success began at Northern Iowa Panthers, where he played college basketball, and included head coaching roles at Grand View University and the D-League’s Iowa Energy. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 2019, leading the toronto Raptors to an NBA championship.
Tickets for the festival are available for purchase on the Carroll National Golf Club website. The event promises to be a significant boost for the Carroll community and a testament to Nurse’s commitment to his hometown.
