TV: "A Capitol Fourth" (Washington D.C.) - 7/4/08

[petertorklover]

“American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks performs at the 2008 A CAPITOL FOURTH, which offers an evening of patriotic and uplifting music followed by a stunning display of fireworks over the Washington Monument.

http://dc.about.com/od/specialeventphotos1/ss/CapitolFourth_3.htm

Note from jatterb

This appearance has been confirmed; Taylor will perform. According to the press release, "the multi-award winning event will be broadcast live in high definition on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Friday, July 4, 2008 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET."

Note from jatterb

The video for Taylor's appearance is now posted on our Featured Video Board.

http://www.theofficialsoulpatrol.com/forum/index.php?topic=31628.0

[jatterb]

I have sent an e-mail to Rachel Cooper, the author of the article on About.com, seeking confirmation on this appearance (I'm unable to find any secondary confirmation elsewhere). If and when she replies, I will let you know.

[katenoie]

American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks performs at the 2008 A CAPITOL FOURTH, which offers an evening of patriotic and uplifting music followed by a stunning display of fireworks over the Washington Monument.


http://dc.about.com/od/specialeventphotos1/ss/CapitolFourth_3.htm


 

[onthebayou]

I DO hope this is true.  I will be in Washington D.C.  for the fourth.
Can't believe he might be there.  Last time I saw Taylor was at The House of Blues in New Orleans, La.
 

[ellen :]]

Sounds cool! I hope its true. 

[petertorklover]

This July 4, New Concert Host Jimmy Smits Invites You To A Capitol Fourth: America’s Biggest Birthday Party Live From the U.S. Capitol

PBS Highest Rated Musical and Fireworks Extravaganza Stars Huey Lewis & The News, Taylor Hicks, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hayley Westenra, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Harolyn Blackwell and the National Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Erich Kunzel

WASHINGTON, May 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blow out the candles at Americas biggest and best-loved birthday party with our new host and an all-star cast. Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning film, theater and television actor Jimmy Smits hosts the 28th annual broadcast of A Capitol Fourth live from Washington, D.C. The star spangled party will feature unrivaled musical performances from some of the countrys best known and award-winning artists as well as the most spectacular fireworks display anywhere in the nation. Grammy winning musicians Huey Lewis and the News, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, Rock n Roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell, classical superstar Hayley Westenra and soprano Harolyn Blackwell will perform a selection of patriotic and celebratory music with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Erich Kunzel. Following this musical salute, the Washington, DC skyline will come alive with the most colorful, creative and booming display of fireworks ever set against silhouettes of national landmarks the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. The multi-award winning event will be broadcast live in high definition on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Friday, July 4, 2008 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET (check local listings). Capping off the show will be a rousing rendition of Tchaikovskys 1812 Overture complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, an audience favorite and now A Capitol Fourth tradition.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080515/pl_usnw/this_july4__new_concert_host_jimmy_smits_invites_you_to_a_capitol_fourth__america___s_biggest_birthday_party_live_from_the_u_s_

[jatterb]

This appearance has been confirmed; Taylor will perform. According to the press release, "the multi-award winning event will be broadcast live in high definition on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Friday, July 4, 2008 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET."

[smk1379]

 

[drdlovestaylor]

                  WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[sallyannlady]

YES!!  As A Canadian, I all of a sudden LOVE July 4th  !!!  I'm feeling very patriotic.....*sings*...OH SAY CAN YOU  SEEEEEE.......

[iluvtay-tay]

YES!!  As A Canadian, I all of a sudden LOVE July 4th  !!!  I'm feeling very patriotic.....*sings*...OH SAY CAN YOU  SEEEEEE.......

LOL

Cool! Didn't Taylor do something like this a couple years ago or am I thinking wrong?

[htownsoulpatroler88]

Yes he did something similar back in July 2006 when he did a 4th of July concert in Utah.  It was days before he started the American Idol tour.

[cochem]

luvtaylorhicks from the BB found this morsel...look who's pic is up and also click on the video link above picture..

http://article.wn.com/view/2008/05/15/This_July_4_New_Concert_Host_Jimmy_Smits_Invites_You_To_A_Ca/?section=SectionResults&template=cheetah-meta%2Fmeta-related-stories.txt

[NETaylorfan]

Thanks for the heads up!    I LOVE the 4th, but this makes it even greater!   

[sallyannlady]

Check this out......

http://blip.tv/file/977143

[Tay-Dreamer]

Cool, Sallyann...Thanks!  There will be fireworks all right when we see Taylor!  LOL

[sallyannlady]

I see fireworks whenever Taylor's around... even if it's NOT the 4th...........

[WMarine]

I see fireworks whenever Taylor's around... even if it's NOT the 4th...........

             

[jatterb]

azcentral.com article

Taylor Hicks ready for Capitol 'Fourth'

by Mike Hughes

For some singers, the "Capitol Fourth" experience can be imposing.

Behind them is the massive National Symphony. In front of them are 300,000 people, plus more watching on PBS.

Then again, some people are used to such commotions.

Just ask Taylor Hicks. Even before his "American Idol" fame, he sang at the Talladega Superspeedway. "It's like Mardi Gras times 10," he said.

Or ask Brian Stokes Mitchell. Lately, he's been singing with the symphonies in Boston, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and more. "It's really fun when you get these incredible musicians behind you," he said.

Both are scheduled for the live July 4 concert, on the Capitol Lawn. So are Jerry Lee Lewis, Huey Lewis, classical stars Hayley Westenra and Harolyn Blackwell, plus more. It's a night of big music, big emotion, big fireworks. It's also a night when Hicks is usually busy somewhere.

"Every 4th of July, I've probably been performing," he said.

In the daytime, he'd take it easy near home in Birmingham, Ala. "We'd usually have barbecues. There are some beautiful lakes back home."

And at night, he would work. He rarely slowed down.

"You really have to love performing," Hicks said. "I've been in clubs where there was no one there; I've done weddings."

That's what helped him on "Idol" in 2006.

"I definitely had a vision," he said. "I had done a lot of performing; I was almost 30."

As "Idol" leaped between decades and genre, Hicks was ready. "That was from a lot of gold I listened to when I was 9 or 10 years old," he said.

Now he's leaping between different worlds. To do the July 4th concert, Hicks gets time off from his current duties, singing the Teen Angel role in Broadway's "Grease." This isn't something that a dentist's son from Alabama could have predicted. Until now, "Rent" was the only show he'd seen on Broadway.

"Luckily, the second show I've seen is one I'm in," he said.

And if Hicks needs any Broadway advice, he can turn to another "Fourth" performer.

Mitchell has done eight Broadway shows, getting Tony nominations for the last four. He won for "Kiss Me Kate" and was nominated for "Ragtime," "King Hedley II" and "Man of La Mancha."

He has kept up his music - despite a long detour.

"I was in San Diego, doing a musical with Greg Harrison," Mitchell said. "The Trapper John' producers came to see him and they decided to have me play Jackpot' Jackson."

Mitchell spent seven years as a TV doctor. He wrote background music for some episodes, but few people knew he could sing. "One episode, I had to sing. I made sure I didn't sing beautifully."

Afterward, he returned to musicals. He was doing "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" when he was approached by brash producer Garth Drabinsky, the brash Canadian producer. "He told me, I have a project. I can't tell you what it is, but when it's ready, I want you for it.'"

There was more waiting and wondering, until he finally heard. This was an adaptation of "Ragtime," focusing on the Coalhouse Walker character. Mitchell would be Coalhouse.

It was a powerhouse role, strong and strident. Mitchell became a Broadway leader. He and his wife (dancer Allyson Tucker) have done several musicals together. Now comes a new phase.

"Since my son was born four-and-a-half years ago, I've tried to just do concerts," said Mitchell, 50. He's flown out for quick shows with orchestras. He'll do that again July 4; this time, he'll be watched by masses on the lawn and on TV.


On the tube:

- What: A Capitol Fourth

- When: July 4.

Where: PBS (check local listings)

Did you know? In addition to the guest stars mentioned above, the event includes host Jimmy Smits and an Olympic tribute from Scott Hamilton. Also: Choral Arts Society of Washington, U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.

You can read more articles on TOSP's News Page.

[Jolene60]

On Independence Day....

Really cool to read about Jimmy Smits and Taylor on "A Capitol Fourth" on PBS on July 4th. Smits said "I can't wait to meet Taylor".........Wow, me either!!!

It is SO much for to read about Taylor doing things and being out there for all to see.....HOORAY!!!!   The article called him the "Soul Patrol" Captain Hicks!!

[Jolene60]

Oh, also, he said, "I haven't decided which tunes I'll do yet, probably a standard and then a couple of other things."   More than one song....................COOL, I'll be there!!!

[Debbie in Florida]

I can hardly wait.  Need to find out what channel & time it's playing in Boca Raton, FL.  I LOVE all this Positive news!   

[okiedokie]

 

[Jolene60]

I can hardly wait.  Need to find out what channel & time it's playing in Boca Raton, FL.  I LOVE all this Positive news!   

It's on our station here in California at 8 p.m. Friday night and then the whole show is repeated again at 9:30 p.m. Friday night...Taylor on TV.....AWESOME!! ALWAYS AWESOME!!

[Daphne!]

Sensational news - TAYLOR did moved the nation, didnt he?
u score again, Peter!

Being on Capitol 4th beats any of the Oscar, Academy, Emmy, Tony, music awards!  And underlying it (my reasoning) is that it is all about giving and not receiving.  http://blip.tv/file/977143
and i quote www.pbs.org/capitolfourth,
"Some are born to greatness, the legend goes, some acquire greatness, and
still others have greatness thrust upon them.
For Birmingham, Alabama’s favorite son, Taylor Hicks, it has been a case of all three. .." http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/bios.html#hicks

i love that TAYLOR has brought Huey Lewis and the News back into the scene to our attention. Huey is cool, advant garde and great singer, just like TAYLOR who's always in the news.

HOT OFF THe PRESS!