'A Capitol Fourth' On PBS Returns Live, Mickey Guyton To Host

WASHINGTON, DC — America's longest-running live national Independence Day TV tradition returns in-person for the first time in two years since the pandemic, with country music star and four-time Grammy-nominee Mickey Guyton serving as host.

For the last two years, the program had been pre-recorded and included virtual presentations due to COVID-19. This year, organizers said the concert venue on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol will be open to the public to enjoy the live broadcast.

According to a news release, Guyton made history as the first Black female artist to earn a Grammy nomination in a country category. She hosted the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards and performed the "National Anthem" this year at Super Bowl LV in front of an audience of 112.3 million.

The July 4th special will include performances by Darren Criss, Yolanda Adams, Andy Grammer, Gloria Gaynor, Keb' Mo', Emily Bear, and Loren Allred with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Chita Rivera, the legendary Tony Award winner and one of the most nominated performers in Tony history, will lead a 65th-anniversary celebration of West Side Story, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra performing a special musical tribute to one of Broadway's most successful shows.

The evening will also include a special tribute to service members and their families by Emmy Award-winning, multiplatinum-selling recording artist and published author Rachel Platten who will perform her hit song "Stand by You."

Organizers said the celebration will be capped off with the greatest display of fireworks in the U.S.A. lighting up the nation's iconic skyline, featuring twenty cameras positioned around the city to capture the best views. Accompanied by patriotic musical favorites, the fireworks extravaganza will also feature The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," with a commemoration of its 100th anniversary.

Also participating in the event will be the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery, Members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial Flags, the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C., the Choral Arts Society of Washington and Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music.

A Capitol Fourth will air on PBS on July 4 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET.

The program can also be heard in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide and will be streaming on YouTube and www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth and available as Video on Demand for a limited time only, July 4 to July 18, 2022.