Freedom sings
Local entertainers take center stage
M usic is woven into the fabric of America, so what better way to celebrate the country’s independence than by tuning into patriotic performances at Pops on the River? This year, local acts will offer up sounds ranging from country to classical before yielding the stage to one of the biggest fireworks shows in the state, and audiences can also catch the final round of the Oh Say! Can you Sing? contest, presented by MedExpress Urgent Care and 106.7 The Ride. Amber Glaze of Hot Mess in the Morning With Amber
and Luke on 106.7 The Ride will be one of the judges for the contest. She will also warm up the crowd with live renditions of “House of the Rising Sun” and “To Make You Feel My Love.” Glaze added that she hopes the event will allow people to see what the radio station has to offer.
“We hope they see how much we love our community and how honored we feel to wake up with this city every weekday morning,” she said.
Other judges include Nicky Parrish, whose voice has garnered six wins during Amateur Night at the Apollo; and Geoffrey Robson, the associate conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Youth Ensembles. Also judging is Jarod Matheney, who won last year’s contest.
“It was an amazing feeling,” he said about last year’s victory.
3-5 P.M. MUSIC FROM 106.7
THE RIDE NEW COUNTRY PAVILION PLAZA
In August 2015, 106.7 The Ride New Country rebranded after Signal Media decided to change from Heartbeat 106.7 FM. Hot Mess in the Morning With
Amber and Luke thrives on the aspect of living locally. The station will broadcast live from Pops on the River from 3-5 p.m.
6:30-7 P.M. OH SAY! CAN YOU SING? CONTEST FIRST SECURITY AMPHITHEATER
After narrowing down the many entries submitted to the Arkansas
Democrat-Gazette’s Oh Say! Can you Sing? contest, presented by MedExpress Urgent Care, five finalists were selected to compete for a $300 cash prize and an opportunity to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” on July 4, accompanied by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Finalists include Marvin Williams singing “God Bless America,” Mary Schulz singing “America the Beautiful,” Nikki Winn singing “There She Stands,” Todd Butler singing “God Bless America” and Caitlyn Cook singing “American Trilogy.”
7 P.M. THE BIG DAM HORNS FIRST SECURITY AMPHITHEATER
Named after Little Rock’s Big Dam Bridge, The Big Dam Horns are set to blow audiences away with a toetapping mix of blues, R&B and classic rock. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/TheBigDamHorns.
8:30 P.M. THE ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FIRST SECURITY AMPHITHEATER
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, presented by Delta Dental and conducted by Music Director Philip Mann, will cap off the musical performances with a few classic American ditties to herald the fireworks show.