SOLOMONS, Md. — Country music star Sam Hunt brought his signature blend of country, pop and R&B influences to Southern Maryland on Saturday as part of his Locked Up Tour, drawing a packed crowd to the Calvert Marine Museum for a concert under the stars with a clear August sky.
Fans filled the waterfront venue, eager to hear chart-topping hits like “Body Like a Back Road,” which has more than 970 million streams on Spotify and more than 300 million views on YouTube, while also getting a taste of Sam Hunt’s 2024 EP “Locked Up.” The Locked Up Tour highlights Hunt’s evolving sound and mixed genres.
Hunt has become one of country music’s most innovative voices, blending traditional storytelling with R&B and hip-hop influences to create a fresh, crossover sound. Since breaking through Billboard charts, Hunt has earned multi-platinum success, Grammy nominations and a reputation for reshaping the boundaries of modern country music. His energetic live shows continue to draw diverse audiences, making him a standout figure in today’s country scene. The Locked Up Tour continues that trend, giving fans a live experience that mirrors his genre-bending style.
The show opened with Nashville-based singer Michael Warren, who warmed up the audience for the night. He is a rising country singer-songwriter from Birmingham, Ala., and is building momentum with his soulful mix of country and R&B.
Performing alongside Hunt placed Warren in front of thousands of new fans. For Warren, sharing the stage with Hunt on the Locked Up Tour marks a major step in his career while giving audiences a fresh voice to discover.
A Southern Maryland Experience
For many in attendance, the performance was more than just a concert — it was a local experience. Amanda Blackwell of Owings said she normally travels to venues like Jiffy Lube Live or Merriweather Post Pavilion for shows, but having a major artist perform close to home made the evening special.
“I think it’s great, because normally it’s like Jiffy Lube or farther away, so to have something local is nice,” Blackwell said.
As for Erin Segar of Mechanicsville, she said this was her eighth time seeing Hunt, and she emphasized how his music style of blending hip-hop and country genres, in songs like Hunt’s 2024 single “Liberty,” resonated with crowds of all ages.
“I think that is what the new era is, kind of bringing it back with Sam Hunt,” Segar said. “Mixing hip-hop and country, just kind of unifies everyone.”
For some, attending the show was as much about supporting the venue as it was about seeing the headliner. Curtis Gantt of Prince Frederick said he rarely misses a performance at the Calvert Marine Museum and enjoys not having to drive into the city for a headliner concert.
“I come to every concert I can. No matter who it is, I just come to support the [Calvert] Marine Museum,” Gantt said. “There is a little bit of traffic here during concerts, but it’s nothing like the biggest city. You come down here, you get to see our lovely county [Calvert County] with the water and everything. You get the best of both worlds.”
Claire Williams of St. Leonard said the Sam Hunt concert was a chance to reconnect with friends and family after returning home from school in Vermont, and an opportunity to enjoy a major artist without a long drive.
“I actually think it’s so cool that big-name country artists are in this area,” Williams said. “Usually, I have to go to either D.C. or Baltimore to see somebody I like, but now I can see big country names right here at the Calvert Marine Museum.”
The concert in Solomons marked one of several stops on Hunt’s international tour, which runs through the fall. For Calvert County, it was another reminder that even small coastal towns can host big sounds, and that music, like Hunt’s, travels well across boundaries.
Calvert Marine Museum
Event organizers noted that bringing nationally recognized acts to Solomons underscores the museum’s role as a cultural hub for the region. The Calvert Marine Museum’s outdoor summer concert series has become a highlight for local music lovers, offering a mix of waterfront views and big-stage performances.
Beyond the music, the event fortified the Calvert Marine Museum’s role as a community fundraiser. The museum’s summer concerts are designed to support the museum’s preservation and education efforts.
“First and foremost, the concerts are fundraisers for the museum,” said Bonnie Farmer, marketing and communications coordinator for the Calvert Marine Museum. “We love providing music for the community and letting it be a fun place for them to come hear live music, but at the heart of it, it’s for the museum. That’s why we do it.”
The Calvert Marine Museum, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and supported by the Calvert Marine Museum Society, tells the story of the Chesapeake Bay through maritime history, estuarine biology and paleontology. From the restored Drum Point Lighthouse to fossils of the ancient megalodon, the museum blends education and discovery with community engagement. Farmer said the hope is that concertgoers return not just for music, but to explore the museum itself.
“We’re just thankful that people like to come here and have fun and support the museum,” Farmer said. “We would love for them to come to the museum and enjoy all that it has to offer.”
The Sam Hunt concert was more than a night out — it was another reminder of how the Calvert Marine Museum continues to connect the community, not only through exhibits and education, but also through the shared experience of live music on the water.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
