Southern Maryland seems to be at the epicenter of the music world this August. Concert after concert with big name entertainment have delighted local crowds and there are several major concerts remaining before the month fades into history. On Friday the Country Stars and Hot Cars concert debuted at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek. It featured two up-and-coming acts and a local favorite who is about ready to launch a recording career. The concert benefited Cedar Lane Senior Living Community in Leonardtown.

Danielle Bradbery and the duo Love and Theft have recently had Top 20 Country Chart hits. Sam Grow, who started his career performing at the old Hotel Charles in Hughesville, has recently moved to Nashville and is about to release his first EP.

Bradbery was the 2013 winner of the Voice TV show. According to the local people who had contact with her before the concert, she was painfully shy. But apparently she finds her personality and her Voice when she’s on stage, as she naturally interacted with the audience. Most of her set was from her self-titled first album, including the Number 16 hit from last year “The Heart of Dixie.”

Love and Theft, or Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson, broke onto the country charts in 2099 with a Number 10 song “Runaway,” followed in 2011 with a chart-topper, “Angel Eyes,” both of which they performed during their set.

Sam Grow and his band opened the concert with several cuts from their about-to-be-released EP and some well received country hit covers and other original material.Sam Grow is scheduled to open for the Charlie Daniels Band on September 6th at Summerseat Farm in Oakville.

Mike Stacey of the band opened the concert with a powerful guitar rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

Guest Emcee for the concert was WMZQ’s Aly Jacobs.

The concert shared the spotlight with a Custom Rod and Car Show put on by Southern Maryland Rod and Custom, St. Mary’s Rod and Classic Car Club and Southern Knights Rod and Custom Car Club.

A number of sponsors, including the Bay Net, also contributed to help make the concert a financial success.

Royce Miller of Maryland International Raceway told the audience he hoped to put on more concerts at the race track.