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The Performers of 'A Capitol Fourth' in 2019

Daniel Hautzinger
Fireworks over the US Capitol. Photo: Leonid Andronov/Alamy Stock Photo
Photo: Leonid Andronov/Alamy Stock Photo

A Capitol Fourth airs Thursday, July 4th at 7:00 and 9:00 pm, and will be streaming live on wttw.com Facebook, and YouTube. It will be available to stream for two weeks.

In case watching fireworks locally isn’t enough for you, A Capitol Fourth lets you enjoy a fantastic show from the seat of our democracy, in front of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., with a side of music from Carole King, Sesame Street Muppets, Colbie Caillat, and more. Meet the performers here – and while you eagerly wait for the extravaganza, test your knowledge of fireworks with our quiz on the names of different styles of pyrotechnics.

Carole King and the Broadway cast of Beautiful

Carole King. Photo: Kirsten SchultzPhoto: Kirsten Schultz

The extraordinary Carole King, a winner of multiple Grammys as well as the vaunted Library of Congress Gershwin Prize, is joined by members of the cast of a musical about her life, including the star-in-her-own-right Vanessa Carlton.

Sesame Street

Sesame Street

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street, and the Muppets have been traveling around the country to celebrate. Their stop at A Capitol Fourth will feature a medley of their own songs as well as patriotic songs, and is sure to be a highlight.

Colbie Caillat and Gone West

Colbie Caillat with Gone West

Caillat became a sensation on her own terms through Myspace with her songs “Bubbly” and “Realize,” and now she has a new country group, Gone West, that consists of her, her fiancé Justin Kawika Young, and the husband-and-wife team of Jason Reeves and Nelly Joy.

Yolanda Adams

Yolanda Adams

She’s one of the most prominent performers in gospel music, having won five Grammys and been called the “First Lady of Modern Gospel.”

The O’Jays

The O'Jays

They’ve been around for more than 60 years, are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and had what many consider to be the first hit disco song, “Love Train.”

Lindsey Stirling

Lindsey Stirling

Stirling is an electric violinist who turns in elaborate performances and videos on her YouTube channel, which rocketed her to fame.

Keala Settle

Keala Settle

Settle is a Broadway actress who garnered wide recognition for her role in the film The Greatest Showman, about P. T. Barnum, in which she sang the award-winning “This Is Me.”

Laura Osnes

Laura Osnes. Photo: Nathan JohnsonPhoto: Nathan Johnson

Osnes is another Broadway actress who has starred in Grease, South Pacific, Bonnie and Clyde, Cinderella, and more.

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams. Photo: Rod SpicerPhoto: Rod Spicer

After gaining the public eye as winner of the Miss America competition, Williams expanded her career to music (her biggest hit is “Save the Best for Last”), theatre, film (she was in Soul Food), and TV (Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives).

Lee Brice

Lee Brice

The country singer has had his own hits like “Love Like Crazy” and has also written songs for Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, and the Eli Young Band, among others.

Laine Hardy

Laine Hardy

Hardy’s career is just beginning: he won the seventeenth season of American Idol this year, so expect more from him in the coming years.

Angelica Hale

Angelica Hale

Like Hardy, Hale is at the very start of her career and has found success through a reality television competition, America’s Got Talent. Unlike Hardy, Hale is 11 years old.

Maelyn Jarmon with Jack Everly and the National Symphony Orchestra

Maelyn Jarmon

Jarmon is another reality TV-made star, having won The Voice just a couple of months ago. She will sing the National Anthem with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Jack Everly.

MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band and John Stamos

John Stamos hosting A Capitol Fourth

John Stamos is hosting A Capitol Fourth but will also perform, when he joins the MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band in a tribute to the United States’ men and women in uniform. MusiCorps is a music rehabilitation program that helps injured service members in their recovery.