Better Than Ezra, Rachel Platten to headline Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival music lineup

***The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival and 5K have been cancelled in an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 virus. Read full press release here.***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Howie Day, Wesley Cook will also take the stage

Brookhaven, GA, Feb. 5, 2019 – The City of Brookhaven announces another stellar lineup for the 2020 Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, at Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road in Brookhaven.  Admission is free.

Headlining Sunday, March 29, is Better Than Ezra. The Saturday headliner is Rachel Platten.

Additionally, the Saturday lineup features Howie Day, along with Nightly and Saleka. The Sunday lineup includes Baylee Littrell, Hailey Whitters, and festival favorite Wesley Cook. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, with a detailed schedule to be released soon.

“Our partnership with Live Nation in booking these world-class musicians continues to pay dividends,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst. “I couldn’t be more excited about the music lineup this year, and I encourage Brookhaven residents and our neighbors to come out and enjoy two great days of live music, amazing artisans, food trucks, and more.”

A fixture on radio and MTV in the mid-90s, Better Than Ezra’s “Good” from the band’s breakthrough album “Deluxe" captured No. 1 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks Chart and went multi-platinum. 1996’s “Friction, Baby” yielded definitive anthems such as “Desperately Wanting” and “King Of New Orleans.” That success earned spots on Billboard’s “100 Greatest Alternative Songs of All Time” and “100 Greatest Alternative Artists of All Time.”

Rachel Platten is an Emmy Award winner, multi-platinum selling recording artist. Few artists in the past decade have struck a chord of hope and resilience like she did with her empowering hit “Fight Song.” Rachel topped countless radio and iTunes charts worldwide with her major label debut album “Wildfire,” which also included the platinum Billboard Hot 100 hit “Stand By You.” Her children’s book “You Belong” comes out on March 31.

Howie Day’s emotionally resonant lyrics and inventive melodies have earned him both critical praise and a legion of devoted fans. He is known for his energetic, heartfelt shows. After sales of over a million records and two Top 10 hits, “Collide” and “She Says,” Day is back on the road in support of his new studio album, “Lanterns.”

A Georgia native and the son of Brian Littrell from the Backstreet Boys, Baylee Littrell was born to be an artist, singer, actor and songwriter. Baylee starred on Broadway in the hit musical “Disaster” – earning his first Drama Desk Award nomination – and is now embarking on an exciting country music career. Baylee’s debut album, “770-Country,” was released in 2019 earning rave reviews from Billboard, Taste Of Country and CMT.

Within a few months of forming Nightly, singer Jonathan Capeci and guitarist Joey Beretta came up with “XO,” a bittersweet breakup anthem built on bright beats and powerful melody. Pennsylvania-bred cousins, Capeci and Beretta earned some positive early feedback on the track, and quickly uploaded “XO” to their SoundCloud page.

Saleka is a classically trained singer/songwriter who began playing piano at the age of 4. Raised on an eclectic combination of music, Saleka's influences include various genres from Bollywood music to Latin, jazz, hip-hop and R&B. She will soon release her first professional project and debut the music video for her first single “Clarity," directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan.

Hailey Whitters' song "Ten Year Town" has identified her as one of Nashville's elite songwriters and artists. Written with Grammy nominee Brandy Clark, the ballad takes a stark look at what happens when life doesn't work out as planned. Hailey has also written songs for Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, and Little Big Town, who cut her "Happy People." Hailey's version of “Happy People” appears on her new album “The Dream.”

"Upbeat positivity is a Wes constant, in his music and his attitude," said Rolling Stone Magazine of the Atlanta songsmith. Dubbed “Best Atlanta Singer-Songwriter” of 2014, Wesley Cook has shared the stage with artists such as Zac Brown, Sublime, Tonic, Edwin McCain, Santigold, Manchester Orchestra, Marc Broussard, Ben Rector, Angie Aparo, Drivin'n'Cryin, Mishka and more. This is Wesley’s sixth year performing at the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival.

“This great lineup proves why the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival is the City’s marquee event,” said District 1 Councilwoman Linley Jones. “This event is becoming not only a staple for the community, but the metro area as well.”

For information about the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival, visit www.BrookCherryFest.org.