A Capitol Fourth

Stories

Amid firecracker fun, singing of an unsung hero

For 70 years, the military life of Josh Turner’s grandfather was tucked away in a drawer, unseen.
For 10 more, it was in a songbook, unrecorded. “Everything happens for a reason,” Turner said, and there’s a right time for things.
Now is the time. At “A Capitol Fourth” (8 p.m. July 4 on PBS, rerunning at 9:30), he’ll sing “Unsung Hero,” a tribute to one guy — or to millions.
Turner (shown here) will also do “Firecracker,” which amuses him. “That song has nothing to do with fireworks,” he said, but people like to hear it on the holiday.
“A Capitol Fourth” is like that, mixing some serious moments with lots of festive ones. This year, it will have the Beach Boys and Temptations, plus gospel great Yolanda Adams, contemporary Christian singer Lauren Daigle, jazz’s Trombone Shorty, and two country acts, LoCash and Turner. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / June 27, 2025
Stories

Her voice soars into 4th-of-July and beyond

Loren Allred’s life has swirled with contrasts.
She went from the grunge world of Pittsburgh to the grunge-less world of Salt Lake City. She went from classical music to stadium-style pop.
Now there’s a bigger change: Allred, 34, used to say she was introverted, a backstage soul; she was the unseen mega-voice in “The Greatest Showman.” But on July 4, she’ll be on PBS’ “A Capitol Fourth,” singing to maybe a half-million people in person and more on TV..
“I really believe in exposure therapy.” Allred said with a laugh. Exposed to big audiences, she slowly transformed. “Now I actually enjoy it.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / June 28, 2024
Stories

She’s ready for the July 4 spotlight

In her heart – and in her teen bedroom – Loren Allred (shown here) was the next Mariah Carey.
And in real life? For a while, she was the next Marni Nixon … or Kasey Cisyk … or someone else we keep hearing and liking, without knowing her name.
Now that’s changing, one continent at a time, as people recognize her as the soaring voice doing “Never Enough,” in the 2017 film, “The Greatest Showman.” First, she reached the finals of “Britain’s Got Talent”; now she’ll sing at PBS’ annual 4th-of-July mega-concert, at 8 and 9:30 p.m. July 4. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / June 27, 2022
Stories

A 4th of July void? TV has an answer

For four decades, “A Capitol Fourth” has had a cozy place in holiday plans.
It was a choice – a traffic-free, mosquito-free way to catch music and fireworks on the 4th of July. Some years, it was PBS’ most-watched show.
And now? Suddenly, it’s gone from being “a choice” to being almost “the only choice.” With cities canceling fireworks — and with only one other network (NBC) stepping in – “Capitol Fourth” (shown here in a previous year, with Kelli O’Hara) gets a fresh focus.
“So many people have called, wanting to be part of this,” said Michael Colbert, the producer. “We have 15 new performances – the most we’ve ever had.” Read more…

By Mike Hughes / June 27, 2020
Stories

Gone solo? No, Colbie has Gone West

Colbie Caillat seems to have this pop-star thing backward
.People are supposed to start in groups. Then – full of success or full of themselves – they go solo.
But after a decade solo, Caillat has now become one-fourth of Gone West.“It’s fun,” she said. “Now I’m out there with my best friends.”
Last October was their Grand Ole Opry debut; coming is the July 4 mega-concert in Washington, D.C. Read more…

By Mike Hughes / June 28, 2019