FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Andrea Manzella
andream@btefoundation.org

New Orleans, LA-­New Orleans platinum rock stars Better Than Ezra will host their
13th Annual Ezra Open charity event April 11, 2015 at the House of Blues New Orleans.
This year's event will feature a VIP Casino Night Patron Party, followed by a live auction
and benefit concert featuring Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies, Big Sam's Funky
Nation, and Better Than Ezra.

"We are thrilled to have Ed Robertson join us for our annual charity event, and being able
to have New Orleans' own Big Sam's Funky Nation performing as well only adds to the
excitement," says Kevin Griffin, lead singer and founding member of Better Than Ezra.
"Their involvement will have a direct impact on our ability to continue to help others in
our community."

Ed Robertson is the lead singer, songwriter, and a founding member of Barenaked
Ladies. BNL have sold over 14 million albums worldwide, have won eight Juno awards
and earned multiple Grammy nominations. Known for such hits as "One Week," "Pinch
Me," "Brian Wilson," "If I Had $1,000,000" and many more.

Ed Robertson says, "I'd like to think that I'm at least as good as Ezra, perhaps not Better. I
know I'm nowhere near as good as New Orleans! I'm happy to be helping out Better
Than Ezra with their ongoing fundraising efforts, so together we can make things Better
for everybody!"

Also joining the music-filled event, Big Sam's Funky Nation is a driving force of urban
funk led by trombone powerhouse, Big Sam Williams. Big Sam, formerly the trombonist
of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, powered-up the horn section on the critically acclaimed,
Grammy nominated, "River in Reverse", and has shared the stage with Dave Matthews,
Widespread Panic, U2, and Green Day. The Funky Nation is a stellar group of worldclass
musicians who meet the challenges of their funky band leader.

"I'm honored to participate in such a great event," says Big Sam Williams. "As a native
New Orleanian, I have always admired the work that the BTE Foundation has done in the
local community. I'm extremely happy to be able to help contribute to their continued
success."

In addition to the Ezra Open Benefit Concert, the band and musical guests will host a VIP
Casino Night Patron Party that will take place before the concert in the Parish Room of
the House of Blues New Orleans. The Casino Night Patron Party will include casino
game favorites, a ticket to the benefit concert, premium food and open bar, and a
complimentary photo with Better Than Ezra, as well as a raffle and silent auction.

The Better Than Ezra Foundation has raised over $1,500,000 for various causes in and
around New Orleans. They have worked with the Preservation Resource Center to
renovate and rebuild a first responder's flooded home from Katrina, the New Orleans
Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) to aid the Summer Program for students, Brad Pitt's
Make it Right Foundation to help rebuild homes in the Lower 9th Ward neighborhood,
and the Audubon Nature Institute to build the Cool Zoo Splash Park at Audubon Zoo,
while also offering support to the Louisiana SPCA, Crime-Stoppers and the ALS/Team
Gleason Initiative.

The BTE Foundation has adopted the Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School of
Literature and Technology in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans. They have
donated school supplies and built an educational playground for the children. The
Foundation is most excited about the creation and funding of their music, arts and
education after-school program that runs Monday-Friday throughout the school year and
currently has over 100 students enrolled.

"The Foundation has been around since 2007," says bass player and founding member of
Better Than Ezra, Tom Drummond. "With all the great causes we support, we are very
proud of what we've been able to accomplish over the years. We look forward to
continuing and expanding our commitment to funding music and arts development in
after-school programs. The Ezra Open is the biggest source of funding for these crucial
educational programs."

To purchase tickets to the Ezra Open's VIP Casino Night Patron Party or Benefit
Concert, please visit: www.btefoundation.org

For more information on the 13th Annual Ezra Open charity event, the Better Than Ezra
Foundation and its' causes, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please visit:
www.btefoundation.org 

ABOUT BETTER THAN EZRA FOUNDATION
The Better Than Ezra Foundation, founded by platinum selling rock band Better Than Ezra, is committed to raising funds to support the renewal of the structural and cultural
heritage as well as education in New Orleans and Southern Louisiana. Since its'inception, the Better Than Ezra Foundation has raised over $1,500,000 for various causes
in and around New Orleans. www.btefoundation.org

 

###