Reimagined version of the group’s “Summer Nights” to soundtrack the 37th annual celebrity golf tournament; Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney to compete at Edgewood Tahoe
(SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev.) – Country music icons Rascal Flatts will bring a new soundtrack to Lake Tahoe this summer with the release of “Tahoe Nights,” a golf-inspired reimagining of their fan-favorite hit “Summer Nights,” as the official theme song of the American Century Championship.
The new track captures the atmosphere of the American Century Championship: elite golf, celebrity camaraderie and a one-of-a-kind summer celebration on the shores of Lake Tahoe. The 37th edition of the tournament will be contested July 8-12, at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nevada.
Rascal Flatts members Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney will also return to the American Century Championship field. One or both have competed in the tournament for the past 16 years. The pair have helped make the tournament’s annual week at Lake Tahoe a memorable convergence of music, sports and philanthropy.\
“‘Tahoe Nights’ reflects what makes this event unlike anything else in sports,” said Gary Quinn, vice president, partnerships and general manager, owned properties at NBC Sports. “Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney have been part of the American Century Championship family for years, and this song brings together the energy of their music, the beauty of Lake Tahoe and the ethos that keeps players and fans coming back every summer.”
“Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts are not just American Century Championship players; they have been cherished friends of the tournament for many years, and ‘Tahoe Nights’ is a wonderful tribute to the spirit of this event,” said Jonathan Thomas, chairman, CEO and president of American Century Investments. “The extraordinary talent and creativity of Rascal Flatts capture the camaraderie, competition and lasting memories that have defined the championship for nearly four decades. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and for helping bring people together around a tournament whose impact extends far beyond the course. Through the American Century Championship, millions of dollars have been raised in support of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and nonprofit organizations throughout the Tahoe region, making ‘Tahoe Nights’ a meaningful celebration of a legacy that continues to make a difference.”
Originally released in 2009, “Summer Nights” became one of Rascal Flatts’ signature feel-good anthems. Written by Gary LeVox, Brett James, and busbee, and produced by Rascal Flatts and Dann Huff, it’s generated more than 66 million streams on Spotify alone. The song’s familiar summer feel made it a fitting choice for the tournament’s new theme.
Rascal Flatts will perform at the Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic on Friday, July 10, during tournament week. The concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. and is part of the 2026 Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series. Tickets can be purchased here.
Since its inception in 1990, the American Century Championship has donated more than $8 million to local and national non-profits.
For the latest details, photos, celebrity tweets use #ACCgolf and follow @ACChampionship on Twitter and Instagram, and Facebook. For tournament information and updates: AmericanCenturyChampionship.
For destination information, accommodations, and events explore: VisitLakeTahoe, Facebook, Instagram use #VisitLakeTahoe #AweandthenSome to share posts.
CONTACTS:
Phil Weidinger – Weidinger PR
775-588-2412
Steve Griffith – Vizion Group
484-362-2682
For Rascal Flatts:
Kristie Sloan – The GreenRoom
About the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
With more than 75 plaudits and accolades from national media outlets, Visit Lake Tahoe combines the distinctive appeal of two worlds: unparalleled natural beauty and an array of world-class outdoor recreation, entertainment, nightlife and gaming. As a responsible tourism destination, it offers a balanced approach regarding social and environmental impacts to preserve its appeal for generations. For information about lodging, recreation, events, and mindful travel at Visit Lake Tahoe www.VisitLakeTahoe.com.
About American Century Investments – Tournament Title Sponsor
American Century Investments is a leading global asset manager focused on delivering investment results and building long-term client relationships while supporting breakthrough medical research. Founded in 1958, American Century Investments’ approximately 1,400 employees serve financial professionals, institutions, corporations and individual investors from offices in Kansas City, Mo.; New York; Los Angeles; Santa Clara, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; London;
Frankfurt, Germany; Hong Kong; and Sydney. Jonathan S. Thomas is chairman, chief executive officer and president, and Victor Zhang serves as senior vice president and chief investment officer. Delivering investment results to clients enables American Century Investments to distribute 40% of its dividends to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, a 500-person, nonprofit biomedical research organization with a focus on foundational research. The Institute is the largest owner of American Century Investments and has received dividend payments of more than $2 billion since 2000. For more information about American Century Investments, visit www.americancentury.com.
About NBC Sports
NBC Sports connects sports fans to the moments that matter most with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports produces, programs, and promotes premier content across numerous linear and digital platforms, including NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports presents events from many of the world’s most prestigious properties, including the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Major League Baseball, Notre Dame, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, Big 12 Conference, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of America, The R&A, Churchill Downs, Premier League, and many more. It is renowned for making big events bigger and has produced some of the most-watched sporting events in U.S. media history, including Olympic Games, Super Bowls, and Sunday Night Football, primetime television’s No. 1 show for 14 consecutive years.
About Rascal Flatts
Hailed as one of the most influential groups in modern Country history, Rascal Flatts are a genre blending trio created by vocalist Gary LeVox, multi-instrumentalist Jay DeMarcus, and guitarist Joe Don Rooney. Since their founding in 2000, they’ve cemented their place in music history with genre-crossing hits like “Prayin’ for Daylight,” “Bless The Broken Road,” “What Hurts the Most,” and “Life Is a Highway.” Together, the Grand Ole Opry members have racked up 17 #1 hits, over 23.4 million albums sold, 35 million digital downloads, and over 12 billion total lifetime streams, with 4.6 billion streams on Spotify alone, while also selling over 11 million concert tickets. They’ve earned more than 40 trophies from the ACA, ACM, AMA, CMA, People’s Choice, and more, making them one of the most-awarded Country groups of the past two decades. Last year, Rascal Flatts released their LIFE IS A HIGHWAY: REFUELED DUETS album, full of reimagined tracks collaborating with Kelly Clarkson, Jonas Brothers, Backstreet Boys, Blake Shelton, and more, celebrating 25 years of hit after chart-topping hit from one of the most influential groups in Country music. For more information, visit rascalflatts.com.
