Macon, Georgia – The first major headliner to perform during the Nightly Concert Series at the 42nd Cherry Blossom Festival is Bryce Leatherwood, winner of Season 22 of The Voice. He will perform Saturday, March 23, 2024, on the Coca-Cola Entertainment Stage at Carolyn Crayton Park. The Nightly Concert Series features local, regional, and national artists performing each night of the 10-day festival, March 15-24, 2024. Gate entry is $10 every day and the Nightly Concert Series is included in your admission. Children 10 and under are free. A clear bag policy is in effect and guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.
Leatherwood is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter who aims to carry the torch of country music and continue the legacy of legends prior. Bryce was born and raised in Woodstock, GA, and his passion for music began at an early age. Working on his grandfather’s farm every summer, Bryce was exposed to the classic country hits of George Jones, Merle Haggard and Conway Twitty. Soon thereafter, Bryce began picking up guitars and playing the traditional country music that still inspires him today.
Bryce’s music career began to blossom in Statesboro, GA, where he attended Georgia Southern University. During his time in Statesboro, Bryce played college venues and continued to hone his stage presence and his country music repertoire. In late 2021 while still enrolled in college, Bryce formed his band and began playing all around the Southeast. Bryce’s goal was to take the stage and play the best of country music to all ages and audiences. After graduating college, Bryce set his mind on a new task. In 2022, he competed on the NBC hit television show “The Voice” and was crowned the Season 22 winner in December of 2022. Following his success on “The Voice,” Bryce signed with Universal Music Nashville and is currently hard at work writing and recording new music. In fact, the country newcomer just released “The Finger,” the first taste of new music for fans since winning “The Voice” and signing a major label record deal.
Bryce also has a Macon connection. Bryce has always had an incredibly close bond with his “Granddaddy” Jimmy McCallum who retired as a Captain and served 26 years with the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department. “Bryce was his granddaddy’s shadow growing up and always wanted to spend his summers and any break from school right here in Lizella, Ga on his Granddaddy’s farm,” Aunt Amy McCallum Stokes said. “We are so excited for our family superstar to return back to Macon and play for all of his family and friends who have supported him along this journey,” she added. “While on stage a few years ago at the Crazy Bull in downtown Macon, Bryce told the crowd that he has ‘always referred to Macon/Lizella as his 2nd home’ because this is where he developed his love of music, especially classic country music,” Stoked said.
About the Cherry Blossom Festival:
Founded by Carolyn Crayton in 1982, Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival works to enhance the quality of life, community fellowship, and civic pride of all Macon and Middle Georgia residents through the encouragement, development, and coordination of selected recreational, cultural, educational and social activities. Through each activity the Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the Macon and Middle Georgia community by honoring “Love, Beauty, and International Friendship.”
The 2024 Festival will take place March 15-24, 2024. For programming and more information visit https://cherryblossom.com
For Information, Contact:
Hannah Theus, Director of Marketing and Fulfillment
