2020 Athletes & Artists Play for Kids Charity Weekend

SAVE THE DATE: March 5-8, 2020 at Ed Smith Stadium

The annual "Athletes & Artists Play for Kids" weekend fundraiser, which began five years ago, is a one-of-a-kind series of events that brings Orioles players and Nashville artists together in support of music education. A portion of proceeds from the weekend’s events benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation’s Music & Arts Education Scholarship, which was created in 2019 to support deserving students and programs in Baltimore, Sarasota, and Nashville. To date, the "Athletes and Artists" series has raised over $400,000.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

3:05 p.m.

Orioles vs. Twins

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

11:00 a.m.

Youth Community Workshops

6:30 p.m.

Fifth Annual Nashville's Music Row Comes to the Ballpark VIP Charity Event

VIP Cocktail Reception and Nashville's Music Row Songwriters Round

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2020

1:05 p.m.

Orioles vs. Yankees

For sponsorship and VIP ticketing inquiries, email Matt Carroll ([email protected]).

Meet the 2020 Artists

RaeLynn

Ever since she came careening into Nashville in 2014, singer-songwriter RaeLynn has been someone who is the “talk of the town” for her refusal to color within the lines and play it safe. The Texas native has enjoyed incredible success — a debut album, WildHorse, that bowed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart, two ACM New Female Vocalist nominations, a PLATINUM-certified single (“God Made Girls”), GOLD-certified single (“Love Triangle”), nearly 415 million total career streams, and the first Country face to represent the global beauty brand Too Faced. She co-wrote 11 of the 12 songs on WildHorse when she was 17 and 18.

RaeLynn’s upcoming EP, Keep Up, will reflect how her songwriting and life have changed. Showing a more quirky, fun side of herself, songs on the album brim with personality and humor, starting with her latest release “Bra Off.” RaeLynn’s exuberant attitude is partially due to the fresh start she got when she signed a record deal with Florida Georgia Line’s newly launched label, Round Here Records. She is also signed to their publishing company, Tree Vibez Music.

JORDAN SCHMIDT

Jordan Schmidt is a multi-instrumentalist, topliner, and producer based in Nashville. He recently celebrated his fifth No. 1 single with Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country” and currently has singles on the charts with Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, and Noah Schnacky. Since signing his first publishing deal, Schmidt has had songs cut by Kane Brown (“What Ifs”), Mitchell Tenpenny (“Drunk Me”), Chris Lane, Jimmi Allen, HARDY, Granger Smith, Blake Shelton, FGL, Ingrid Andress, Jason Aldean, Old Dominion, Hunter Hayes, Mason Ramsey, and Morgan Wallen, as well as non-country placements with The Band CAMINO, One OK Rock, Mika Setzer, Axel Muniz, Noah Cyrus, Forever In Your Mind, and Nick Fradiani. As a producer, Schmidt has worked with Kane Brown, Ingrid Andress, LoCash, Old Dominion, Axel Muniz, Nick Fradiani, Hunter Hayes, Seaforth, and One OK Rock, and is currently working with The Band CAMINO, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Granger Smith.

JIMMY ROBBINS

Jimmy Robbins is a GRAMMY and CMA nominated Nashville-based songwriter, producer, and publisher who has penned over 200 cuts in multiple genres. He has earned 11 Top 10 hits including eight No. 1 songs as a writer, as well a No. 1 song as a producer for Canaan Smith’s “Love You Like That” and a Billboard No. 1 album as a producer for RaeLynn’s Wildhorse. Robbins is a CMA Triple Play Award winner for penning three No. 1 songs in a 12-month period and was the American Society of Composers, Artists and Publishers Song of the Year winner for Thomas Rhett's "It Goes Like This,” Robbins’ other No. 1 songs as a writer include Blake Shelton’s “Sure Be Cool If You Did,” Keith Urban & Miranda Lambert’s “We Were Us,” David Nail’s “Whatever She’s Got,” Jason Aldean’s “Lights Come On,” Michael Ray’s “Think A Little Less,” and Maren Morris’ “I Could Use A Love Song.” Robbins co-wrote and co-produced gnash's forthcoming project and landed four cuts on Maren Morris' new album GIRL including her current hit single, "The Bones,” which was also recently released as a crossover single featuring Hozier. Robbins also co-wrote and produced Kelsea Ballerini's brand new singles, "Homecoming Queen?" and "club.”

MARGARET VALENTINE

Margaret Valentine is a singer-songwriter who has opened for national touring artists including Ed Sheeran, Joan Osborne, Tonic and Gin Blossoms. Valentine wrote "Don't Miss the Magic," the official anthem of the Baltimore Orioles, which raised $65,000 in 2016 for charity in conjunction with the Orioles Charitable Foundation. In 2018, she founded a music management company, Pound It Out Loud, which has curated the successful Friday Fireworks and Women of Country Music Series at Oriole Park, a program that lends a voice and gives platform to female country artists. PIOL also represents emerging young star Carter Faith.

CARTER FAITH

Carter Faith is an up-and-coming Nashville artist from Davidson, NC. She is currently a sophomore in the Songwriting program at Belmont University. Carter has been selected to participate in some of the most prestigious emerging artist showcases in Nashville--recently, winning the ASCAP Belmont Showcase. She has played on several prominent stages such as the Bluebird Café and as a regular in the Song Suffragettes rotation at the Listening Room Café. She was also an opening act for Cole Swindell and featured performer at the Baltimore Orioles “Artists & Athletes Play for Kids” charity weekend in Sarasota, FL., as well as a national anthem performer at Camden Yards, Ed Smith Stadium and the Charlotte Hornets’ Spectrum Center. Carter is currently in the studio recording original music in anticipation of her debut EP.

RENEE BLAIR

SPECIAL GUEST EMCEE AND CORRESPONDENT

Missouri-raised singer-songwriter Renee Blair is an emerging face on the country music scene. Growing up, she split time between living the city life in St. Louis and on her father’s cattle farm in central-Missouri. Her songwriting and melodies reflect the wide variety of music that shaped her upbringing; everything from The Dixie Chicks and Gretchen Wilson to Nelly and Justin Timberlake. Blair is currently based in Nashville, where she has been performing and writing songs since the age of 15. Last year, she toured with country music legend Willie Nelson, and opened for Billy Currington, Chase Rice, Mitchell Tenpenny, Eli Young Band, and more. Blair was recently inducted into the 2020 class of CMT’s Next Women of Country. She has been writing and recording her debut project with GRAMMY-award winning producer-songwriter, Shane McAnally, and GRAMMY- nominee producer-songwriter, Jordan Schmidt.

2019 Athletes & Artists Weekend Recap

Award-winning Nashville songwriters and musicians joined with Orioles athletes March 1-3 in Sarasota, Fla., to support arts education and girls empowerment during the fourth annual "Athletes & Artists Play for Kids" weekend. Held at Ed Smith Stadium, the Orioles' Florida training complex, the weekend featured a "Nashville's Music Row Comes to the Ballpark" charity benefit, two Orioles Spring Training games, an artist workshop for local youth, and an on-field performance from Country music rising superstar and 11-time No. 1 singer/songwriter COLE SWINDELL.

A portion of proceeds from the weekend's events will fund the establishment of new Orioles Charitable Foundation Music & Arts Education Scholarships to support arts education for deserving young students in Sarasota, Baltimore, and Nashville.

"It was an incredible weekend celebrating the power of song and sport to inspire and bring people together," said Orioles Executive Vice President JOHN ANGELOS. "We were thrilled to see music fans enjoy the creativity of award-winning Nashville artists as we raised funds to support new arts education scholarships for deserving students."

Meet the 2019 Artists

Cole Swindell

Cole Swindell, a Platinum-selling recording artist and 11-time No 1 singer/songwriter, released his third album, "All of It," for Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville in 2018 and it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country album chart and No. 7 on the Billboard Top 200. The first single "Break Up In The End" became his eighthNo. 1 career single as a solo artist. "Break Up In The End" was recently nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Song and was named one of the best country songs of 2018 by Amazon, Spotify, Billboard, and _You Tube _among others. Swindell performed the hit single on last summer's (2018) ABC Television special "CMA Fest" and when he headlined the "NBC's Citi Concert Series on TODAY" (2018).

The Georgia native debuted his current single "Love You Too Late" LIVE on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and in December performed it on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The song is included on YouTube's Best Country Songs of 2018.

In just over four years since he made his debut on Warner Bros. Records, Swindell has racked up an impressive and incomparable record-breaking eight No. 1 singles (the only solo artist in the history of the Country Aircheck/Mediabase to top the charts with first seven singles); 10 No. 1 singles as a songwriter; one 1 billion+ audience reaching single ("You Should Be Here"), seven Platinum singles; one Gold single; a Platinum-certified debut album ("Cole Swindell"); a Gold-certified sophomore album ("You Should Be Here") and over one billion on demand streams as well as numerous songwriting honors and awards including being the reigning NSAI Songwriter/Artist of the Year (2016), winning two CMA Triple Play Awards in both 2015 (as the only performer to claim the title) and again in 2016 (for penning three No. 1 songs in a 12 month span) and Music Row's Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year during his debut (2015) with celebrated songwriting credits for not only his own seven No. 1 hits but songs for Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett and Florida Georgia Line.

MACKENZIE PORTER

With her first new music since 2015, MacKenzie Porter presents a pair of no nonsense, hook-laden tracks that are timely and timeless. Released on Big Loud Records, "About You" and "Drive Thru" -- produced by Joey Moi (Florida Georgia Line, Dallas Smith, Jake Owen) -- showcase the Nashville-based, Canadian born singer/songwriter's substantial chops as a vocalist and songwriter as never before. In her late teens, Porter fell deeply in love with songwriting and recording her own material and, in 2013, released her self-titled debut album. Over the next three years she garnered nominations for prestigious Canadian music awards including the 2015 JUNO for Country Album of the Year and the CCMA Award for Female Artist of the Year three years running. Over time she has also toured extensively on her own and in support of artists such as Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, and Blake Shelton. Additionally, in 2016, Porter was featured on Chris Lane's "Circles" from his Top 10 US Country record, Girl Troubles. Since making the move to Nashville in 2014, Porter has continued to develop her chops as a songwriter with a variety of A-list talents including Nicolle Galyon, Craig Wiseman, Natalie Hemby, Tom Douglas, and others.

CARTER FAITH

Carter Faithis an up-and-coming singer/songwriter from Davidson, NC. She is currently attending Belmont University as part of their renowned Songwriting program. So far in her freshman year, Carter Faith has been selected to partake in some of the most prestigious emerging artist showcases in Nashville, including the ASCAP Belmont Songwriters Showcase and Song Suffragettes. She started performing live at age 12 and started writing original songs at 16. She was a featured performer in Charlotte's televised 2016 Thanksgiving Day Parade. In 2017, Carter Faith attended the highly selective GRAMMY Camp in Nashville and also performed some of her songs at the iconic Bluebird Café and Douglas Corner Cafe.

DESMOND CHILD

GRAMMY Award-winning and Emmy-nominated songwriter/producer Desmond Child is one of music's most accomplished hit-makers. He is also a film and television producer, recording artist, performer, author, and motivational speaker. His credits appear on more than eighty Billboard Top 40 singles spanning five decades, including "Livin' On A Prayer," "You Give Love A Bad Name," "I Was Made For Lovin' You," "Dude Looks Like A Lady," "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Waking Up In Vegas," and many more. From Aerosmith to Zedd, his genre-defying collaborations include Bon Jovi, KISS, Cher, Joan Jett, Michael Bolton, Cyndi Lauper, Ricky Martin, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Meat Loaf, Christina Aguilera, Sia, Mickey Mouse, and Kermit the Frog, selling over 500 million records worldwide with downloads, YouTube views, and streaming plays in the billions. Child was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008 and serves on its Board of Directors as well as the Board of ASCAP. In 2018, he received ASCAP's prestigious Founders Award celebrating 40 years as a proud member of ASCAP. Along with songwriter-producer Rudy Pérez he co-founded the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame where he is Chairman/CEO.

MATT MCGINN

Matt McGinn is a Nashville-based multi-platinum songwriter and producer with award-winning music publishing powerhouse, SMACKSongs. The Virginia native has had songs recorded by Kane Brown, Florida Georgia Line, Walker Hayes, Jake Owen, Carly Pearce, Michael Ray, Cassadee Pope, and more. McGinn celebrated his first No.1 in 2017 with Kane Brown's 4x Platinum hit, "What Ifs" ft. Lauren Alaina, which spent five consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart. He recently earned his second No.1 with Kane Brown's, 4x Platinum two-week chart topper, "Heaven." McGinn was recently named the SESAC Nashville Awards' Songwriter of the Year.

RYAN BEAVER

Ryan Beaver is a country singer/songwriter signed to SMACKSongs and BMI. The Texas native moved to Nashville in 2013 to continue pursuing his songwriting and artist career. His latest album, Rx, was critically acclaimed for its "visceral emotional work" (NPR) and Beaver has been heralded as an "Artist You Need to Know" by Rolling Stone. Beaver is currently in studio working on his forthcoming album.

MARGARET VALENTINE

Margaret Valentine (@pounditoutloud) is a singer-songwriter who has opened for national touring artists including Ed Sheeran, Joan Osborne, Tonic and Gin Blossoms. Valentine wrote "Don't Miss the Magic," the official anthem of the Baltimore Orioles, which raised $65,000 in 2016 for charity in conjunction with the Orioles Charitable Foundation. In 2018, she founded a music management company, Pound It Out Loud, which has curated the successful Friday Fireworks and Women of Country Music Series at Oriole Park, a program that lends a voice and gives platform to female country artists. PIOL also represents emerging young star Carter Faith.

Past Performers & Special Guests

COLE SWINDELL ACM Award Winning and GRAMMY Nominated Country Artist
"Break Up in the End," "Middle of a Memory" and "You Should Be Here"

DESMOND CHILD Nashville Hall-of-Fame and GRAMMY Winning Songwriter
Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer" and "You Give Love A Bad Name," KISS's "I Was Made For Lovin' You," Aerosmith's "Dude Looks Like A Lady," Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca," Katy Perry's "Waking Up In Vegas"

BOB DIPIERO Nashville Hall-of-Fame Songwriter and BMI ICON
Reba McEntire's "Till You Love Me" and "Little Rock," Tim McGraw's "Southern Voice," Faith Hill's "Take Me As I Am," George Strait's "Blue Clear Sky," Vince Gill's "Worlds Apart," Montgomery Gentry's "If You Ever Stop Loving Me," Academy and Golden Globe Award Nominated Best Original Song in a Motion Picture Country Strong's "Coming Home"

LIZ ROSE GRAMMY and CMA Award-Winning Songwriter
Little Big Town's "Girl Crush," Taylor Swift's "White Horse," "You Belong with Me," "Fearless," "Picture to Burn," and "Teardrops on My Guitar," Eli Young Band's "Crazy Girl," Raelynn's "God Made Girls"

THE WARRENS BROTHERS GRAMMY Nominated and CMA Award-Winning Country Songwriting Duo
Tim McGraw's "If You're Reading This," "Felt Good on My Lips" and "Highway Don't Care," Toby Keith's "Red Solo Cup," Keith Urban's "Little Bit of Everything," Faith Hill "The Lucky One," Dierks Bentley's "Feel That Fire," Martina McBride's "Anyway" and "Wrong Baby Wrong"

LEE THOMAS MILLER GRAMMY Nominated and CMA Award-Winning Songwriter
Brad Paisley's "The World", "I'm Still a Guy", "Perfect Storm" and "Crushin' it," Garth Brooks's "People Loving People," Tim McGraw's "Nothin' to Die For" and "Southern Girl," Trace Adkins's "You're Gonna Miss This," Osborne's "It Ain't My Fault," Chris Stapleton's "Whiskey and You"

MATT MCGINN Nashville Multi-Platinum and SESAC Award-Winning Songwriter
Marshmello & Kane Brown's "One Right Thing," Brown's "Heaven" and "What Ifs"

RYAN BEAVER SMACKSongs Singer/Songwriter
Ryan Hurd ("Platonic"), Steve Moakler ("Breaking New Ground"), HARDY ("4X4"), and Ashley Monroe ("Mother's Daughter")

MACKENZIE PORTER Nashville Country Artist and Actor
"These Days," "About You," "Drive Thru"

JUSTIN WILSON Billboard Country No. 1 Hits Songwriter
Michael Ray's "Kiss You in the Morning," Randy Houser's "We Went"

JESSE LEE Billboard Country No. 1 Hits Songwriter
Kelsea Ballerini's "Peter Pan," Brett Young's "Like I Loved You"

TINA PAROL Disney Music Group Songwriter
"Better Life," "Who's Got Your Money," Britney Spear's "Rock Girl," Jamie Lynn Spear's "Sleepover," Dallas Smith's "Cheap Seats"

LAURA VELTZ Billboard Country No. 1 Hits Songwriter
Eli Young Band’s “Drunk Last Night,” Chris Young’s “Lonely Eyes,” Maren Morris’s “The Bones,” “A Song for Everything,” “Rich,” and “I Could Use A Love Song,” Dan + Shay’s “Speechless,” Lady Antebellum “What If I Never Get Over You”

With the 2020 Orioles and Nashville's Music Row Comes to the Ballpark is part of the Orioles' Arts in the Ballpark event series and Sarasota 365, a host of initiatives through which the Baltimore Orioles and Orioles Charitable Foundation demonstrate the ballclub's year-round engagement with the Greater Sarasota community. 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. For more information, visit www.orioles.com/Sarasota.