Hootie
This July 4, America?s national Independence Day celebration will mark 30 spectacular years on air featuring the most dazzling display of fireworks anywhere in the nation, captured by 18 TV cameras stationed around Washington, D.C.
The 30th anniversary broadcast will be hosted by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits, with unrivaled performances from some of the country?s biggest musical names ? including multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM Award-winning country music superstar Reba McEntire, legendary R & B artist Gladys Knight, country music sensation Darius Rucker (Hootie & the Blowfish), singer David Archuleta (American Idol), and actor and singer John Schneider, as well as world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly and the Choral Arts Society of Washington, under the direction of Norman Scribner. (additional talent to be announced).
The July 4th concert finale includes Tchaikovsky's ?1812 Overture? ? featuring the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery. Also featured are the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard and the State and Territorial Flags of the Military District of Washington.