Musical Stars and Cultural Stripes: American Roots Independence Day Revisited

It’s Fourth of July, and we dig into the archives for the roots of American Routes. It all began with a series of Independence Day concerts held annually at the Washington Monument before the fireworks show on the National Mall. It featured the best of American vernacular musical culture. We’ll sample from nearly a decade’s worth of concerts, highlighting spectacular stage performances by the Staple Singers, Tito Puente, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, New Orleans Tuxedo Brass, and more. It’s Musical Stars & Cultural Stripes: American Roots Independence Day Revisited.

HOUR ONE

Open Bed: Do What You Wanna Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording,

Henry Butler Patriotic Medley Henry Butler with Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording,

Sleepytime Down South Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band with Henry Butler

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording,

Muskrat Ramble Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band with Henry Butler

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording,

Black and Blue Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band with Henry Butler

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording,

The Secondline (Joe Avery's Piece) Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band with Henry Butler

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording,

Instrumental: Dippermouth Blues Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Brass Band with Henry Butler

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording,

Rip It Up Marcia Ball

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1998 Original Recording,

Red Beans Marcia Ball

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1998 Original Recording,

La Ti Da Marcia Ball

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1998 Original Recording,

Red Hot Marcia Ball

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1998 Original Recording,

Instrumental: Boppin' the Rock Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording,

Bayou Noir/Back of Town Two-Step Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording,

The Mardi Gras Song Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording,

Chere Bassette Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys with Nelda Balfa

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording,

Zydeco est pas salé Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording,

End Bed: J'etais au Bal (with fiddlesticks) Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording,

HOUR TWO

Eddie's Hoedown/Memories Cover Everything I Own Johnson Mountain Boys

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1995 Original Recording,

Knoxlyn's Breakdown Johnson Mountain Boys

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1995 Original Recording,

My Better Years Johnson Mountain Boys

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1995 Original Recording,

Orange Blossom Special Johnson Mountain Boys

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1995 Original Recording,

Woman's Dance Song Akwasasne Mohawk Singers

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1994 Original Recording,

Instrumental: On Broadway Tito Puente

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1999 Original Recording,

Machito Forever Tito Puente

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1999 Original Recording,

Déjame Soñar Tito Puente

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1999 Original Recording,

Oye Como Va Tito Puente

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1999 Original Recording,

Instrumental: Jump for Joy The Campbell Brothers

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 2000 Original Recording,

Happy birthday America/Come Go With Me The Staple Singers

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1997 Original Recording,

Respect Yourself The Staple Singers

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1997 Original Recording,

I'll Take You There The Staple Singers

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1997 Original Recording,

End Bed: Ida Reed Otha Turner and Rising Star Fife & Drum

American Roots Fourth of July Concert in Washington DC 1993 Original Recording,

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