LOCASH headlines charity concert at Ed Smith Stadium

Who says the end of spring training needs to be a sad time?

Yes, the ending of camp means the regular season is about to start. But after training, playing and living in an area for over a month, it can be a little bittersweet to leave your spring home for your regular season home.

That can be especially said for the Orioles, who have made a longstanding commitment to the Greater Sarasota community since they moved their big league spring training operations there in 2010. So it's no surprise that the Orioles are closing out spring training by giving back to the Sarasota community with a special end-of-season charitable concert at Ed Smith Stadium.

On Wednesday, the Orioles announced award-winning country duo LOCASH as the headliner for their charitable concert to close out the spring training season on Sunday, March 25 at 7 p.m. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Sarasota Academy of the Arts Musical Theater Program, with tickets going on sale Friday, March 9, at 10 a.m. at www.orioles.com/LOCASH, at the Orioles Box Office at Ed Smith Stadium and by phone at 941-893-6312.

The Sarasota Academy of the Arts (SAA) is a tuition-free performing and visual arts public charter school serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The school focuses on providing students with an outstanding performing arts program far beyond what is typically expected of grade schools. With an emphasis on on-stage performances, students at SAA gain skills and learning experiences not found in a textbook.

The concert featuring LOCASH will wrap up the Orioles' spring training season in Sarasota, which also included a weekend-long series of charitable events in early March highlighted by the club's third annual "Nashville's Music Row Comes to the Ballpark," benefiting the Music Health Alliance and Girls Inc.

Fusing modern country and classic heartland rock with an edgy vocal blend in their sound, LOCASH is comprised of singer-songwriters Chris Lucas, a Baltimore native, and Preston Brust. LOCASH broke out in 2015 with their GOLD-certified hit, "I Love This Life," followed by the GOLD-certified No. 1 smash, "I Know Somebody" - their first trip to the top of the C=country radio airplay charts - and 2017's "Ring on Every Finger." All three singles were part of their Reviver Records album debut, "The Fighters," which was released in the summer of 2016 to top 15 success. The follow-up to "The Fighters" is expected in 2018, with the forthcoming album's first single, "Don't Get Better Than That," available now on all digital platforms.

As songwriters, Lucas and Brust have scored two undeniable hits (Keith Urban's No. 1 "You Gonna Fly" in 2011 and Tim McGraw's PLATINUM-certified "Truck Yeah" in 2012). Currently nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year at the upcoming ACM Awards, they previously scored nominations at the CMT Music Awards and CMA Awards in 2017. LOCASH has already performed privately for Orioles players, coaches and staff in Sarasota twice and threw the ceremonial first pitch prior to an Orioles game at Camden Yards last season. The duo also performed the national anthem at the 2016 World Series.

Kevin MaC is slated to open the concert for LOCASH. While MaC's roots are in country music and his original music is decidedly country, the singer, songwriter and guitarist surprises audiences with his own spin on hip-hop, classic rock and sometimes an occasional boy band hit. (Did someone say "Tearin' Up My Heart" by 'N Sync?)

MaC has opened for industry heavy hitters including Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Trace Adkins, LeAnn Rimes, The Band Perry, Missy Elliott, Blackstreet, Timbaland, J. Cole, Ashanti and many more.

Recently recognized by USA Today as the top spring training venue in Major League Baseball, Ed Smith Stadium has hosted more than 885,000 fans for Orioles games in the first eight seasons. An independent analysis commissioned by Sarasota County Government concluded that the Orioles generate approximately $97 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 details, visit www.orioles.com/Sarasota.