PBS 4th of July

He gets close-up views of fame, football and Fourth fireworks

For singers, July 4 at the Capitol can be imposing.
There they are, live on PBS, belting to the multitudes – estimated at 300,000 or more. Faith Hill was once startled by even the afternoon rehearsal crowd.
“It never gets old,” said Charles Esten (shown here), who will sing “Let Freedom Ring” this year (8 p.m., rerunning at 9:30), as fireworks flare. “You always feel the energy.” Read more…

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…