HOME OF THE BRAVE
The 39th spectacular will be a true red, white and blue salute
T here is a no more spectacular way to kick off summer year after year in New York City than with the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks. And with some 50,000 pyrotechnic shells bursting over the east river this year, event organizers promise that the 39th annual show will outshine all others.
“It’s just one of those majestic days,” says Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, the largest fireworks display in the U.S., “and Macy’s has a responsibility and obligation to give back to the country.”
This year’s show is a tribute to members of the U.S. armed services.
“Patriotism weaves itself through the show, which this year gives thanks to those who have given their lives to support this country,” Kule says, “as well as a nod to those thankful to be living here.”
Last fall, event organizers began thinking about themes and a name for the show, settling on Brave, derived from the “Star-Spangled Banner” line that includes the words “home of the brave.” “My favorite part of the process is putting the score together and coming up with the storytelling,” says Wes Whatley, the show’s creative director. “It’s not just pyrotechnics in the sky. Through the music, we are telling a patriotic tale.” It’s a tale that’s quite similar to a musical.
“What you are going to hear and what you are going to see reflect each other very well,” agrees Kule, urging on-site revelers to tune in to 1010 WINS radio to listen to the musical score. “The music really informs what you see in the sky, [while] what you see in the sky will mimic the highs and lows of the voices, the strings, the horns, and just about everything.”
These voices include those of Dierks Bentley, Kelly Clarkson, Brad Paisley, Flo rida and Meghan Trainor, as well as the U.S. Air Force Band, emilio and Gloria estefan, CeCe Winans, and rodney Atkins.
The U.S. Air Force Band (see below) will kick off the fireworks.
“They serve,” says Whatley, “as the initial inspiration.”
Grammy award-winners Gloria and emilio estefan have teamed up to unveil their new song “America” (see story, page 39)
“It’s a beautiful love song to this country,” says Kule. “They wrote this song and had never recorded it. The result is phenomenal.”
Gloria, who fled Fidel Castro and her native Cuba as a toddler, will perform with children from Vh1 Save the Music’s Park Place Community Middle School Choir in Brooklyn. The visual for the song is a fireworks blast called The Golden Mile, a canvas of gold shells filling the sky over the east river. Says Whatley: “It will blow everyone away.”
Grammy award-winning gospel music artist CeCe Winans will be singing a rendition of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” and country star rod- ney Atkins will perform a soulful interpretation of “America the Beautiful.” All three recordings will be available for free download from July 1 to July 5 at Macys.com/fireworks.
Kule sees July 4 as a way for Americans to put aside their differences and forget for a while the strife so prevalent in the news these days.
“The best thing about the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, or any fireworks show, is that it is not political; it is celebratory,” says Kule. “And no matter what side of the aisle you are on, you appreciate and want to celebrate this country, and July 4 is the day to do it. There will be sweeping color and magnificent bursts that come to life. It is a moment to sit back and reflect on the country and be proud that you are part of the U.S.”
Kule also loves the pleasure her show gives to spectators and viewers. “A few minutes into the performance, I stop looking at the river, I stop looking up, and I turn around and see all the faces mesmerized by the show in the sky,” she says.
“In New York, you can peer up and people are hanging over balconies, hanging off their boats, hanging along the east river,” Kule continues. “There is nothing like seeing it all come together and seeing everyone enjoying themselves. There is absolute pleasure in that.”
It’s not just pyrotechnics in the sky. Through the music, we are telling a patriotic tale” — Wes Whatley, Macy’s creative director