It's the 40th Anniversary of A Capitol Fourth and co-host Vanessa Williams reveals what viewers can expect.
By Heather Newgen
The award-winning A Capitol Fourth has been a longstanding American tradition and this although year will be virtual due to Covid-19, the show will still be meaning, moving and magnificent.
Vanessa Williams and John Stamos will co-host the upcoming event and pay tribute to our first responders, the doctors, nurses and paramedics, grocery store workers and truck drivers, scientists and mail carriers, new American heroes putting their lives at risk now on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis. “These workers are committed to keeping us safe, keeping us fed, healing the sick and keeping the country going during this pandemic,” commented Stamos. “It’s important for all of us to take a moment in our show to thank them and honor them for their spirit and courage.” The segment honoring them will include a musical performance of the Oscar-nominated song “I’m Standing with You” by SAG Award-winning and Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actress Chrissy Metz (This Is Us, Breakthrough).
A Capitol Fourth will feature incredible performances by Grammy Award-winning legend Patti LaBelle; Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty; world-renowned four-time Grammy Award-winning soprano superstar Renée Fleming; legendary Motown stars The Temptations celebrating their 60th anniversary; country music star and Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry Trace Adkins; multi-platinum singer/songwriter Andy Grammer; five-time Grammy Award-winning Gospel vocalist extraordinaire Yolanda Adams; hard-rocking multi-platinum country music singer/songwriter Brantley Gilbert; platinum-selling 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 (Hamilton, In the Heights); with members of the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. To mark the program’s 40th anniversary, the broadcast will also feature highlights of iconic performances from previous concerts.
The 40th annual broadcast of A Capitol Fourth airs on PBS Saturday, July 4, 2020 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. The program can also be heard in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide. The concert will also be streaming on Facebook, YouTube and www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth and available as Video on Demand for a limited time only, July 4 to July 18, 2020.