“I remember as a child going to the state fairgrounds in Raleigh on the Fourth of July,” said “American Idol” pop star Clay Aiken. It was a family event for the Charlotte, N.C. native, “and we’d drive down to see the fireworks. One year I actually sang with the official choir for that event.”
But there also were times when the Aiken family would celebrate Independence Day by staying home to watch “A Capitol Fourth,” PBS’ long-running broadcast of America’s birthday party on the Mall.
Aiken’s rendering of “The Star-Spangled Banner” will kick off this year’s “A Capitol Fourth,” airing at 8 p.m. Sunday on PBS from the West Lawn of the Capitol. Hosted for the seventh time in the past eight years by actor Barry Bostwick, the concert will feature performances by Aiken, Vince Gill and Amy Grant, and Robin Gibb in a tribute to the Bee Gees and the disco era.
Erich Kunzel, America’s premier pops conductor, will lead the National Symphony Orchestra in a salute to the movies.
As always, the concert will conclude with Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” – with cannons firing from the Reflecting Pool – and a medley of John Philip Sousa marches sparking the huge fireworks display from the Washington Monument grounds.
This year, however, Sousa’s music also will be heard at the start of the concert program as part of a 150th birthday salute to the famed born composer and conductor whose “Stars and Stripes Forever” has become synonymous with Independence Day.
While “A Capitol Fourth” has offered centennial celebrations of such major American composers as Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, this year it will pay tribute to a legendary performer, Ray Charles. Charles, who died June 10, performed as part of the millennium “Capitol Fourth,” including “America the Beautiful,”
“Talk about America! Ray was America! He just felt it so much,” Kunzel said.
Executive producer Jerry Colbert said, “We have this fabulous footage of Ray doing ‘America the Beautiful’ (in 2000). The fireworks came on at the perfect time, and up on the big screen Ray is playing his piano and the fireworks are totally surrounding him.”
The tribute will include gospel star Yolanda Adams performing the Charles classic, “Georgia on My Mind.”
There will not be a tribute to President Ronald Reagan, Colbert said. “Because we’re at the nation’s capital, we have always kept it nonpolitical, with no congressmen or presidents participating in the program. It’s a fun, celebratory holiday.”
Also Sunday night (airing at 1:35 a.m. Monday on KOMO-TV), is ABC’s “An American Celebration at Ford’s Theatre.” Kelsey Grammer returns for his third year of hosting the annual gala that benefits the historic theater.
This year’s 24th televised edition includes a new element, as six recipients of the Medal of Honor will be introduced by actor Gary Sinise. The special was taped March 14 before a live audience that included President Bush and first lady Laura Bush.
Among the performers are Patti LaBelle, Jessica Simpson, David Spade, Rascal Flatts, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Brad Paisley, Michelle Williams, and Harold Wheeler and the American Celebration Orchestra.
Locally, the 40th annual “4th of Jul-Ivar’s” Fireworks Show airs live from 10 to 11 p.m. Sunday on Channel 4.
Western Display Fireworks of Canby, Ore., choreographed this year’s display to patriotic music that includes songs from Ray Charles, Neil Diamond, Lee Greenwood and John Mellencamp.
Myrtle Edwards Park on Seattle’s waterfront is the site of the celebration. The park opens at noon Sunday. Live music on two stages, kids’ activities and food booths are all on site.
The telecast is hosted by Dan Lewis, Kathi Goertzen, Steve Pool and Eric Johnson,
Also on television:
“Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular”: 9 p.m., KING-TV. Carson Daly hosts Manhattan’s 28th annual fireworks display in a show featuring Robert Redford, Sylvester Stallone, Donald Trump, Brian Williams, Fantasia Barrino and Sheryl Crow. Brian Stokes Mitchell narrates.
“Family Fourth”: 10 p.m., KING-TV. Patriotic music accompanies the 16th annual Independence Day fireworks display above Lake Union. Coverage from Gas Works Park is anchored by Lori Matsukawa and Dennis Bounds, with additional reports from Pat Cashman.
“Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular”: 10 p.m., on KIRO-TV. The 31st annual Fourth of July concert on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston features the Boston Pops and David Lee Roth. The finale includes an explosive fireworks display accompanied by “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Harry Smith is the host.
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