Better Than Ezra Heads for Suwanee

The list of rock artists that have performed in Suwanee is notable. Such big names as America, the Little River Band and Sister Hazel have drawn large crowds to Town Center Park since it opened in 2004.

Better Than Ezra also qualifies.

The band with roots in Baton Rouge, La., has recorded several CDs and performed on national television since forming in 1988. And it will headline Suwanee's Rock & Jock Festival on Saturday. The band is expected to take the stage about 8 p.m.

Better Than Ezra is on a tour that takes it to South Dakota, Missouri and Texas, including an appearance at Austin City Limits Live. And unlike some of those appearances, the Suwanee event will be free to the public.

The band gained fame when "Good" reached No. 1 in 1995 and the CD "Deluxe" went platinum the same year.

In 2005, the "Desperate Housewives" creator used the band's song "Juicy" as background music for the second season of the show's promotional advertisements. The song also has been heard in commercials for Applebee's restaurant.

Taylor Swift covered "Breathless" at a performance on "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief," a charity telethon for victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Also on the Suwanee bill for Saturday are musical performances by Gasoline Bros., an Atlanta-based band that offers classic country, and Ingram Hill, a Memphis-based rock trio. Music begins at 6 p.m.

The festival also is a type of pep rally for local high school athletes. Those festivities begin at 5 p.m.

Free shuttle buses will be available from 5:30-10:30 p.m. from Shawnee North Business Center, 305 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.

(Compiled by Steve Burns.)