Nashville Public Television will air the 40th annual A Capitol Fourth Independence Day concert on Saturday, July 4, at 7 p.m. with an 8:30 p.m. encore. Actor and producer John Stamos and singer/actor Vanessa Williams host the show, which features performances recorded in iconic locations around the country – including Nashville – as well as highlights from the show’s history.
The 40th annual broadcast will also stream on Facebook, YouTube and pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth and will be available as Video on Demand from July 4 to July 18, 2020.
This year’s concert will include performances by Grand Ole Opry member Trace Adkins, Grammy Award-winning legend Patti LaBelle; Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter John Fogerty; Grammy Award-winning soprano Renée Fleming; legendary Motown stars The Temptations celebrating their 60th anniversary; multiplatinum singer/songwriter Andy Grammer; Grammy Award-winning gospel vocalist Yolanda Adams; multiplatinum country music singer/songwriter Brantley Gilbert; country music star Lauren Alaina; Tony Award-winning Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell; Tony Award-winning Broadway star Kelli O’Hara; and Broadway and television star Mandy Gonzalez.
These performances were recorded in Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles in addition to Nashville – all without a live audience due to COVID-19 protocols.
Members of the National Symphony Orchestra will perform under the direction of pops conductor Jack Everly. Per tradition, A Capitol Fourth will conclude with fireworks and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”
Participating in new and selected past performances are members of the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”; the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets; The Joint Armed Forces Chorus; United States Army Presidential Salute Battery; Members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial Flags provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C. The Choral Arts Society of Washington and Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music will also be among the performers.
A Capitol Fourth will include a special tribute by John Stamos to first responders, medical personnel and other essential workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.