Release Date: Sep 17, 2021

National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) and iHeartRadio's HOT 99.5 Announce the Winner of a Local Rising Artist Competition that Spotlights National Landing as an Innovation and Entertainment District

Selected by community votes, Jerel Crockett of Montpelier, VA will sing locally at the Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center Opening Weekend Celebration and at the 2021 iHeart Music Festival in Las Vegas

ARLINGTON, VA – [September 17, 2021] – The National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) and iHeartRadio’s HOT 99.5 today announced, local Virginia artist, Jerel Crockett, as the winner of a contest to identify the region’s next rising star. Crockett, who was selected for his original song, “No Pressure,” will serve as the official opening act for the iHeart Music Festival in Las Vegas on September 17 - 18 and as the headliner of a free local community concert celebrating the opening of the Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center on September 25.

As part of its ongoing transformation, National Landing is focused on building the region’s next innovation and entertainment district for residents and visitors across the area to enjoy and experience. This strategic partnership with iHeart Media will help further set the stage and define National Landing’s future as a vibrant downtown with great momentum.

“This competition is a great way for us to highlight regional talent, and the National Landing BID is excited to congratulate Jerel Crockett on his well-deserved win,” said Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, President and Executive Director of the National Landing Business Improvement District. “Promoting the growth of a vibrant district through opportunities such as this one, which cultivate and support different types of entertainment and artistry, is an ongoing goal of our work in National Landing.”

Crockett will show off his talent locally, for the fans who cast their vote in his favor, performing at the Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center Opening Weekend Celebration on Saturday, September 25 at 5pm. The free community concert will include a diverse lineup of some of the DMV’s hottest DJ’s Farrah Flosscett and King Iven, as well as a surprise cover band playing all of your favorite songs from the 80s, 90s, and today.

“I’d like to send a special thanks to the National Landing BID and iHeartRadio/HOT 99.5 for giving up and coming artists an opportunity to be heard. I can’t wait to hit the stage in celebration of this great new addition to our community,” stated local artist, Jerel Crockett.

In addition to national and local performances, Crockett will also record his single to air live on local radio station, HOT 99.5, and will be interviewed by DJ personality, Emily Sklar, to kick off the annual musical festival, which will be broadcast live on the station.

Crockett was chosen via community voting from a competitive shortlist of finalists whose entries were initially vetted by a panel at iHeart Radio and the National Landing BID. Based in Montpelier, VA, he is a practiced producer, songwriter, and vocalist with a burgeoning resume. With credits that include BRAVO-TV, Tank and Kenny Lattimore, Jerel has also enjoyed recent buzz with his regional hit, the winning submission song.

Additional details on Crocket’s performance at Long Bridge Park’s Opening Weekend Celebration on Saturday, September 25 will be posted on the National Land BID’s website and social platforms.

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About National Landing Business Improvement District

The National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) is a public-private partnership established to promote and activate the area’s business, retail, restaurant and residential community through placemaking, public art, transportation, economic development, events, marketing and promotion. This dynamic, mixed-use urban center encompasses the vibrant Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard-Arlington neighborhoods, and includes more than 26,000 residents, nearly 12 million square feet of office space, approximately 5,500 hotel rooms and over 450 restaurants and shops. Already Virginia’s largest walkable downtown, National Landing is in the midst of an exciting transformation driven by billions of dollars in public and private investment that will deliver new and enhanced housing, offices, parks, transportation and infrastructure in the coming years. The National Landing BID is helping to steer this growth in ways that are sustainable and enhance the area’s diversity and livability. For more information, visit NationalLanding.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.