Every year PBS puts on a spectacular show with A Capitol Fourth and has the most talented people involved performing and behind the scenes. This year features The Blues Brothers with Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi and Sam Moore; The National Symphony Orchestra, Chorale Arts, country singer Kellie Pickler, The Four Tops, The Beach Boys with Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath and John Stamos, gospel singer Yolanda Adams, Broadway’s Laura Osnes, America’s Got Talent 12th Season winner Chris Blue, actress/singer Sofia Carson, and country singer Trace Adkins.
I was able to interview gospel star Yolanda Adams and rock star Mark McGrath. Both were personable, gracious and engaging. Adams attributes her success to God and gratitude. She has performed at A Capitol Fourth about twelve times and loves it. She balances motherhood with an understanding that this is what she does, she sings.
Mark McGrath was a HIGHLIGHT! As Beach Boys’ singer and original member Mike Love said, “He sure has a lot of energy!!” McGrath was engaging and personable with everyone. He danced while smiling all over the stage, but then claimed he was nervous singing with The Beach Boys. His nervousness wasn’t apparent. He shared how the last golden age for making music was the 90s, but then streaming came in and record labels took a dive. McGrath is concerned with protecting musicians’ intellectual property and musicians just starting out. He shared that it was an honor and unreal to be singing in front of the Capitol. McGrath loves performing with Camp Freddy, which supports our wounded veterans. Visiting Walter Reed Hospital inspires him and he does all he can to support veterans. Before the interview was over he met a Marine spouse who gave him a special cloth star and he was clearly moved. He did two promos for the military and their families too.
The whole show is pure class and talent! It has something for every generation and for every type of music from Broadway, gospel, blues, R&B, country, top 40s, rock ‘n roll and classical.
Chris Blue sang his heart out singing “America the Beautiful.” Chills. Sofia Carson, wearing a stunning strapless full-length ball gown, gorgeously sang “The Star Spangle Banner” with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Army Band, and Chorale Arts Society.
Actor John Stamos debonairly hosted the whole event while also playing drums and guitar with The Beach Boys. He shared he has been playing drums with The Beach Boys for 30 years and it is a dream come true. He wishes his Greek immigrant grandfather could see him now. Billboard Magazine Gospel Artist of the last decade Yolanda Adams sang a rousing rendition of “God Bless America” and asked the audience to stand up and join her. Country star and Wounded Warrior Project/Red Cross spokesperson Trace Adkins sang in his gorgeous baritone voice surrounded by service members in their service uniforms.
The Beach Boys played a medley of hits including “Help Me Rhonda,” with support by Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath and John Stamos, to the joys of the crowd. Stamos is donating his patriotic drum set specifically made for this show to a wounded marine after the show. The Four Tops wore white shiny sequined tuxes and sang their infectious medley of their hits including “Baby I Need Your Loving” while dancing in sync. Laura Osnes danced and sang a choreographed song “Yankee Doodle Dandy” with her male dancers on either side of her. Her dancers came out to the crowd several times during other performers’ set including Kellie Pickler’s and The Four Tops. Kellie Pickler sang two rousing songs and entered the crowd to embrace a young lady in a wheelchair. A very cool moment was seeing the real Blues Brothers – well, half of them – Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi’s brother, Jim Belushi. They wore their signature outfits and danced to “Soul Man” and others.
This is a top-rated show that should never be missed.
Watch a replay of A Capitol Fourth, which was broadcast live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on July 4, 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBTZpTPFuK8
Such a disappointment. We were on the lawn having picked what we thought was a perfect spot. We knew we were not early or important enough to get seats where we could see the stage. We just wanted to watch the show from the gigantic screen above the stage, hear the music and enjoy the ambience of the crowd. The disappointment was that for much of the performance the giant screen showed nothing but the name of the performers. Never saw the Beach Boys nor Trace Adkins at all. There were no technical difficulties as the giant screen showed live performances of some performers but not others. The show was great to those who got to see it in its entirety. Our section had lots of patriotism, dancing and disappointment about the production.
One of the best programs they’ve put on in years. John Stamos was great hosting the event.
Fun, fun show! Watched the replay as well. John Stamos surprised me by – he was such a great host, seemed at home, comfortable, charming and natural.
I had never watched Capital 4th before but was thoroughly impressed! Loved it, plan to replay it.
I was impressed by most of the “A Capitol Fourth”, but my on-going peeve still exists.
Not only last night, but at World Series, Super Bowl and other high- profile performances, the big-name singers
murder our National Anthem and other “sacred” anthems.
Pop songs and other non-sacred songs may be adapted to the artist’s style, but the National Anthem, God Bless
America and the like should NEVER be styled by the performer.
I have sung most of my life in choirs, barbershop groups, etc. Many of our performances began or ended with
these songs. We worked hard to make sure we gave them the proper respect.
JHA