Jesse Magee of Eldersburg is going all-out to help reach his rock-star dreams — and hopes to bring other bands along for the ride as well.

"Who doesn't want the rock star life?" he said. "I want it without the drugs. I don't do drugs, but music's my drug."

Magee, 24, and the locally-based Groundwire Records, will present their second Rock In My Town concert, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 22, at Carroll Community College's Scott Theater, Westminster.

The inaugural Rock In My Town event was held in October in Eldersburg.

The all-ages, alcohol-free show costs $6 in advance and $8 at the door. The show also features bands Elise Major, Phat Pack and Others May Fall.

Magee formed his band, Leftstronger, over the past year, and is working on the concert with the help of Mona Freedman, president of Groundwire Records and mother of his girlfriend, Andrea Freedman.

The Rock In My Town events feature local mainstream bands, and Freedman said they are designed to offer Carroll County an alternative to pop-rock or death metal.

"We're trying to change the scene," Freedman said.

She hopes to ultimately expand the series to neighboring counties, and aspires to have the series tour nationally.

The concert also serves as a fundraiser for Caring Communities, an Eldersburg nonprofit that Freedman, who is also a registered nurse, started in 1997.

The organization provides activities for people who have disabilities, while providing respite care and training. Caring Communities and other organizations, such as Hope for Megan, will be on hand at the Jan. 22 show to provide information about their work, she said.

Magee himself knows all about overcoming disabilities and obstacles. He has mild-moderate cerebral palsy, as well as a mild learning disability. He used that as a fuel to teach himself and others how to play drums, regardless of ability.

Cerebral palsy affects body movement and coordination, and is caused by brain damage done before or after birth, and sometimes during infancy.

For Magee, that affects movement in his right hand.

Now, though, he's made a Phil Collins-esque move — coming out behind the drums and focusing on singing as the lead voice for Leftstronger.

Magee said the time is now for his band.

"We just have to make it," he said. "As far as material goes, we'll be around forever if we can get songs out."

Magee and Freedman contend that there haven't been much in the Baltimore area in a long time as far as mainstream rock goes. Magee describes his sound as a mix of Nickelback, Shinedown and Chris Cornell.

This past fall, Drew Stevyns of Eldersburg placed in the top 10 of "America's Got Talent" for being a rock star. So, would Magee be interested in a TV appearance to fast-track his opportunity?

Well, he tried. This past summer he auditioned for "America's Got Talent," but never made it on TV.

"I wasn't really disappointed because for most people, it was their once chance to begin singing," he said.

Magee's chance is his band.

"For me, I have a career doing this," he said. "I got Leftstronger."

If you go

What: Rock In My Town

When: Friday, Jan. 22, 7:30 to 11 p.m.

Where: Carroll Community College's Scott Theater, 1601 Washington Road, Westminster.

Cost: $6 in advance, $8 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at Jams Music Store, 1438 Liberty Road, Eldersburg

Details: Go to www.rockinmytown.org or call 410-549-5490.

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