Director of Communications
amanda.murphy@tn.gov
615-741-9010
Senior Communications Manager
jill.kilgore@tn.gov
615-927-1320
Communications Manager
Alli.Lapps@tn.gov
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in Lineup, Along with Jonny P and The Sisterhood
Independence Day Celebration Extended to Gold Cup Double-Header on July 8
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – GRAMMY-nominated country artist Chris Young will headline Nashville’s July 4 celebration (#NashvilleJuly4), which will take place near Riverfront Park with a stage on Broadway, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced today.
Let Freedom Sing! July 4 in Music City presented by Dr Pepper Cherry is a free, family-friendly event that showcases the GRAMMY-winning Nashville Symphony and the largest fireworks show in the country.
In addition to Young, who is a Nashville-area native, the lineup also includes the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the genre-blurring ensemble of “Fishin’ In The Dark” and “Mr. Bojangles” fame; R&B artist Jonny P; and folk rock duo The Sisterhood, featuring Alyssa Bonagura and Ruby Stewart, daughter of rock icon Rod Stewart.
“This is another great lineup that showcases the immense diversity of music that calls Nashville home,” said Beth Seigenthaler Courtney, board chair of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and president at DVL Seigenthaler. “This year we have even more to offer with additional live music at Ascend Amphitheater leading up to a Gold Cup double-header featuring the U.S. national men’s soccer team. We always expect tens of thousands of visitors to enjoy our Independence Day festivities, and, with these additional activities, we expect to fill even more hotel rooms across Davidson County and generate substantial economic activity that is good for the city.”
Let Freedom Sing! July 4 in Music City kicks off an extended patriotic weekend that starts with a bang and ends with a kick with live music in between. Following the Independence Day celebration, MercyMe will be in concert at Ascend Amphitheater on July 6; My Morning Jacket and Margo Price then hit Ascend Amphitheater on July 7; and the Gold Cup double-header featuring the U.S. Men’s National Team takes place on July 8 at Nissan Stadium.
The highlight of the free one-day July 4 event is a 30-minute fireworks show synchronized to a live performance by the Nashville Symphony. The event also features a free daytime Family Fun Zone that includes inflatables and other kid-friendly activities.
Vacation packages are available for purchase. Call 1-800-657-6910 or visit www.visitmusiccity.com/visitors/placestostay/vacationpackages.
Let Freedom Sing! July 4 in Music City is presented by Dr Pepper Cherry and partners include Advance Financial, Anderson Benson Insurance, Carl Black Chevrolet, Kroger, General Jackson Showboat, Peg Leg Porker, Budweiser, Bud Light, and Jack Daniel’s.
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Chris Young
With five albums to his credit, Chris Young has amassed nine No. 1 singles and 15 Gold/Platinum certifications. Among the RCA Records artist’s hits are “Gettin’ You Home,” “Voices,” “Tomorrow,” “I’m Comin’ Over” and “Think Of You,” the GRAMMY, ACM and CMA nominated duet with Cassadee Pope and fastest-rising single of Young’s career. Released in November, 2015 and debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, Young’s first co-produced album, I’m Comin’ Over, features three consecutive No. 1 singles including “Sober Saturday Night,” featuring Vince Gill, and the Platinum certified, three-week No. 1 smash title track. The single and album earned him four ACM Awards nominations, including his first in the coveted Album of the Year category as both the artist and producer, and a Billboard Music Awards nomination for Top Country Song. An international ambassador for country music, Chris has performed for audiences ranging from Good Morning America to Australia and beyond and will return to the U.K. in early 2017. This spring, he is joining as special guest for Jason Aldean’s They Don’t Know Tour. chrisyoungcountry.com
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Long before Americana music had a name, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band helped lead the charge, mixing elements of country, bluegrass, folk, mountain music, and rock n’ roll into a sound that celebrated the full range of American music. With multi-Platinum and Gold records, strings of top 10 hits such as “Fishin’ In The Dark” and “Mr. Bojangles,” multiple GRAMMY, IBMA, CMA Awards and nominations, the band’s accolades continue to accumulate. Their groundbreaking Will The Circle Be Unbroken album has been inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress, as well as the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. Released in 1972 -- just six years after the group formed in Southern California -- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken still stands as one of the most beloved albums in the country catalog, pairing the young band with legends like Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, and Mother Maybelle Carter. Their recording of “Mr. Bojangles” was also inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2014 “Fishin’ In the Dark” was certified Platinum for digital downloads by the RIAA. nittygritty.com
Jonny P
Jonny P is a soul artist and fashion designer born in New York City, now living in Nashville. With a sound reminiscent of the greats of Motown, Jonny is poised to carve his modern soul mark in the landscape of R&B. His vocals are nothing but refreshing and his style is inspiring to many that crave true artistry. In his more than four years in Nashville, he released Right to You, a six-track EP and is currently working on new music and projects. imjonnyp.com
The Sisterhood
The Sisterhood is an organic blend of the open melodies of classic West Coast folk and the magnetic swagger of timeless rock n’ roll, powered by Alyssa Bonagura and Ruby Stewart’s soaring richly textured harmonies and effortless chemistry. Both artists have strong musical DNA. Alyssa is the daughter of Kathie Baillie & Michael Bonagura (the core of country band Baillie & The Boys) and Ruby’s father is rock icon Rod Stewart. They’ve written and recorded their first EP that features the theme song “Tenderize My Heart” for the Stewarts & Hamiltons show on E! They have performed at Fashion Weeks in Milan and Miami, made guest appearances at Rod Stewart’s Vegas show at Caesar’s palace, landed a slot on the main stage at CMC music festival in Australia, opened for Gary Clark Jr., and have now returned to the U.S. after opening for Rod Stewart on his summer and winter stadium tour, as well as headlining their first club tour in the U.K. thesisterhoodband.com
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp is to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination. For more information, visit the NCVC’s website at www.visitmusiccity.com.
Director of Communications
amanda.murphy@tn.gov
615-741-9010
Senior Communications Manager
jill.kilgore@tn.gov
615-927-1320
Communications Manager
Alli.Lapps@tn.gov