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Megan Hilty and other stars fuel Fourth of July fun "I worked with the guy who hits the button to set off the fireworks," Manilow recalls of performing the As America celebrates tune on "A Capitol Fourth" its 237th birthday, some in 2009. "I wanted him big names intend to help. to hit it on the last key Several networks will hold to tradition Thursday, change, so I gave him a video of me doing the July 4, by offering starsong, and he'd already studded Independence heard it and studied it. Day specials with an And right on the 'let' of emphasis on music. 'Let freedom ring,' he hit On PBS (check local that button, and I felt the listings), Barry Manilow ground shake! will return to "A Capitol "Those fireworks went Fourth" as he joins former right up on the downbeat. "Smash" co-star Megan I didn't see them because Hilty, award-winning composer-conductor John they were behind me, but I knew because the Williams, "American Idol" audience just started to winners Candice Glover shriek and scream; what and Scotty McCreery, they were seeing was Darren Criss ("Glee"), what they were there "America's Got Talent" for. With this song and alum Jackie Evancho, that orchestra, it was a the National Symphony thrilling moment. I thought, Orchestra, and host Tom 'Well, another 15 years, Bergeron on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in and they'll wheel me out, and I'll do it again.' Washington, D.C. And surprisingly enough, "America's Got Talent" they've asked me to do also will be represented it again only four years on NBC, as Nick Cannon later." - that contest's host Having been a fan - presides again over of NBC's now-finished "Macy's Fourth of July "Smash," Manilow is glad Fireworks Spectacular" in New York, with the musical to be sharing the stage guests including someone with Broadway veteran Hilty, who opened "A he knows quite well: his Capitol Fourth" last year wife, recent "American and says with a laugh that Idol" judge Mariah Carey, with country superstar Tim she "can't stay away" from the occasion ... or its city. McGraw also on the bill. "It was totally nerveAnd in a year that has racking" last year, she seen Massachusetts' admits, "but it's kind of a capital deal with home away from home for unexpected challenges, me now. My boyfriend and CBS is opting not I have been to Washington to air the traditional something like five times "Boston Pops Fireworks in the past year, so I think Spectacular" nationally, though the network's local it'll be maybe a little easier this time. And I'm a big Boston affiliate still will 'Fanilow,' so I'm really carry the event. excited to get to work with Grammy, Emmy and him." Tony Award winner Five-time Oscar winner Manilow has a huge catalog to draw from, with Williams is yet another "A Capitol Fourth" returnee, "Copacabana" always a having led an Olympic particular crowd pleaser. tribute a year ago, and While he plans to deliver his 2003 appearance was a good dose of his hits especially memorable on "A Capitol Fourth" since he received much as he's doing in his touring show "Manilow on the National Artistic Achievement Award Broadway" - he says he'll during the show. Coming be especially pleased to render the clearly patriotic back to the show for executive producer "Let Freedom Ring," Jerry Colbert soon after which he wrote with his creating his Academy longtime collaborators Bruce Sussman and Jack Award-nominated score Feldman. for "Lincoln," one of his By Jay Bobbin © Zap2it 2 The Goshen News • TV Spotlight • July 1-7, 2013 Barry Manilow performs on "A Capitol Fourth" Thursday on PBS. many projects with director Steven Spielberg, is quite meaningful for him. "Walter Miller has been the producer of the event probably since its inception," Williams says, "and he's not only a legend himself in this field but also a very good friend of mine. I see him fairly frequently, and he knows how much I have enjoyed being connected with this program. I've also known the National Symphony Orchestra for many years, and I've always enjoyed working with them greatly, particularly during Leonard Slatkin's 10 years (as music director)." Though Williams conducted it in Baltimore and Boston recently, the "Lincoln" music hasn't had many live performances, and the appropriateness of showcasing it on "A Capitol Fourth" pleases him greatly. "Joining me," he reports, "will be Christopher Martin, the principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony, and he's a fabulous artist and a great young man. He played the trumpet solos in the film and was featured on the soundtrack, so Walter and I felt this would be a wonderful occasion to present him as a soloist. That will be another treat, certainly for me. It'll be great to see and hear him again." On the "Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular," Cannon will be happy to introduce spouse Carey. "Oh, it's a great day for my whole family," the friendly personality maintains. "When we can both be a part of something, that really makes it special. We've done things like this quite a few times, whether it's the Fourth of July or Christmas or President Obama's first inauguration." Independence Day actually has been a special time in the Cannon household "since I've been married for the last five years," he says. "We go away and see fireworks and dress up. I get dressed up like Uncle Sam. We take every holiday and try to be as festive as possible, so be able to do that in front of all of America is outstanding."

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