Folk Duo Over the Rhine and American Idol's Melinda Doolittle Join
Cincinnati Pops' Virtual July 4 Celebration
The Pops' annual Red, White & Boom Fourth of July show at
Riverbend was canceled and moved online and will feature a free
"hour-long program highlights the strength and diversity that is
America"
By CityBeat Staff on Mon, Jun 29, 2020 at 4:41 pm
While we know you wanted to celebrate America's birthday in your
red, white and blue regalia from the lawn of Riverbend while the
Cincinnati Pops played patriotic tunes onstage this year, you're
going to have to do it in front of your computer screen instead.
The Pops' annual Red, White & Boom show was canceled this year
and moved to the digital realm.
"July 4th with The Pops has been a beloved tradition at Riverbend
since the venue first opened on Independence Day in 1984," said Pops
conductor John Morris Russell in a release about the cancellation.
"Given these extraordinary times, we're moving the celebration
online for friends and family to enjoy in Cincinnati, across the
country and around the world."
But, here's the great news.
The Pops will be streaming a free patriotic show from the stage at
Music Hall with guests Melinda Doolittle, of American Idol, and
local favorite Folk duo Over the Rhine. A 30-member orchestra and
the vocalists will perform renditions of songs representing a
diverse array of American composers and genres.
"I am thrilled to be back working with the Cincinnati Pops this July
4, which is different for so many reasons. Not only is the global
pandemic keeping us from a traditional gathering, but our country is
feeling a tremendous amount of pain. We need music more than ever
because it brings us together," Russell said. "This hour-long
program highlights the strength and diversity that is America. From
Women's Suffrage to Black Lives Matter to honoring our Armed Forces
and the frontline heroes managing the current pandemic crisis the
Pops will celebrate our core American values — perseverance,
community and hope."
Doolittle will perform selections including "I'm a Woman" from
Smokey Joe's Cafe and "Home" from The Wiz, along with a special duet
of Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More" with Over
the Rhine.
There will also be prerecorded contributions of Pops performances
with Steep Canyon Rangers and the United States Army Chorus.
The hour-long show will stream at 7 p.m. July 4 for free on the
Pops' Facebook page, CSOvideo channel on YouTube and the Pops
website.
Post from Over the Rhine:
Our first attempt at making music in public with social distancing protocols, rehearsing for a July 4th broadcast. And what better place to start than at Music Hall in Cincinnati, one of the most beautiful acoustic spaces in America. And with the world-class Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and John Morris Russell at the helm. Karin will be singing Hard Times (Come Again No More) with Melinda Doolittle. May it be a prayer for deep healing in our country.