Phillip Phillips, Big Time Rush and More To Be Featured At The Star Spangled Party

This July 4th, America's national Independence Day celebration will kick off the festivities for our country's 238th birthday with an all-star salute led by host, Tom Bergeron (DANCING WITH THE STARS).

Broadcast live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the event will feature performances by: Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Frankie Valli; Grammy Award-winning music legend Patti LaBelle; platinum recording artist and songwriter Philip Phillips; multi-platinum recording artist and actress Jordin Sparks; the world-famous Muppets; five-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Michael McDonald; country music superstar Sara Evans; singer-songwriter Kendall Schmidt from BIG TIME RUSH and HEFFRON DRIVE; and five-time Tony Award nominee and Broadway star Kelli O'Hara; with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.

"It's said that 'the third time's the charm,'" stated Bergeron.

"If so, this year's show will be amazing because I loved hosting my first two. I was honored to be invited back to what has become an annual career highlight (not to mention one helluva birthday party!)"

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of our national anthem, five-time Academy Award-winning composer John Williams will conduct a special new arrangement for orchestra and chorus of "The Star-Spangled Banner" with the National Symphony Orchestra, The Joint Armed Forces Chorus, the Choral Arts Society of Washington and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets.

And, as a special treat for the entire family, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy - stars of the recent release of MUPPETS MOST WANTED - will be on hand to celebrate America's 238th birthday, and performing the Oscar-nominated song "Rainbow Connection" with the National Symphony Orchestra.

With twenty cameras positioned around the city, including the U.S. Capitol, the White House and the Washington Monument, viewers are front and center for the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation during this top-rated extravaganza. Capping off the show will be a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, an audience favorite and A CAPITOL FOURTH tradition.

The 34th annual broadcast of A CAPITOL FOURTH airs on PBSFriday, July 4, 2014 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.

The program can also be heard live in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide.