Angelos Family & Baltimore Orioles host “Nashville’s Music Row Comes to the Ballpark” Benefit in Sarasota, FL

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, Florida. 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.

Pete Koroneos, Leslie DiPiero, John P. Angelos, George Petrocheilos, PHOTO: YOUROBSERVER.COM

The event begun with a meet & 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.

Lee Ann & George Anderson, Roula Paterakis (wife of H&S Bakery magnate John Paterakis, Sr.) and John Henry Iucker, PHOTO: YOUROBSERVER.COM

“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 & 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.

Liz Rose performs “White Horse,” which she co-wrote with Taylor Swift, with songwriters Margaret Valentine and Laura Veltz overlooking, PHOTO: YOUROBSERVER.COM

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.”

Louis, Taryn and Peter Angelos, PHOTO: YOUROBSERVER.COM

Several Leadership 100 Members attended and/or sponsored the evening, including George Tsunis of Chartwell Hotels, George Anderson of Anderson Benson, George Petrocheilos of Camden Partners and Roula Paterakis – wife of the late H&S Bakery magnate, John Paterakis, Sr.

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.