SARASOTA, FL – On Friday, March 17, for the second consecutive year, the Angelos family and the Baltimore Orioles hosted “Nashville’s Music Row Comes to the Ballpark” – an exclusive, on-field performance at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, the team’s Spring Training home.

Every dollar raised at the charity event will benefit the Library Foundation for Sarasota County’s early childhood literacy programs and the Music Health Alliance.

The event began with a meet and greet reception with Nashville songwriters and Orioles players. A country-style songwriter round performance followed – a concept made famous in Nashville and seen on the hit television show Nashville. Performers included Liz Rose- Grammy Award and American Country Music Award- winning songwriter; Laura Veltz- Grammy nominated co-writer, and one of the top songwriters in Nashville; Jimmy Robbins- award-winning country radio hit songwriter, Ryan Beaver- one of the “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know” according to Rolling Stone; and emerging Nashville writer Margaret Valentine. Country singer and songwriter, Jenae Cherry, whose husband is Orioles pitcher Brad Brach, performed a special guest.

“At the intersection of Sarasota’s community values and the Orioles’ organizational mission is a shared passion for supporting music and the arts, youth education, and affordable health care to those most in need,” said John P. Angelos, COO and Executive Vice President of the Baltimore Orioles. He is also the President of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and the eldest son of Orioles owner, Peter G. Angelos.

Angelos also added that “Through the special relationship shared by the Orioles Baseball and Nashville Music Row communities, we are proud to annually bring together world-class artists and athletes playing for their community through our ‘Nashville’s Music Row Comes to the Ballpark’ charity cocktail and concert event.

This intimate evening on the diamond, hosted by Orioles players and hit Nashville songwriters performing and telling stories about their radio hits and newly-created hits of tomorrow, capitalizes on America’s love affair with country music and the game of baseball and unites our many friends in the Sarasota, Baltimore, and Nashville civic, arts and culture, and charitable communities in raising awareness and financial support for local charities and those they serve.”

In the seven years since the Orioles moved Major League Spring Training to Sarasota, more than 765,000 fans have enjoyed Orioles games at Ed Smith Stadium. A recent independent analysis commissioned by Sarasota County Government concluded that the Orioles generate approximately $89 million in annual economic impact back to taxpayers and residents.

By marketing Sarasota to fans in the Mid-Atlantic region, operating a year-round athletic training facility, producing entertainment and sporting events, partnering with charitable causes, and hosting and often subsidizing youth sports tournaments and activities, the Orioles demonstrate an abiding commitment to their Florida home that goes far beyond baseball.