Celebrating America's Birthday

Next Tuesday is the 224th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, certainly one of the most important holidays that we as Americans celebrate. It's the story of how a group of radical thinkers changed the face of the world. The Declaration is the core of our basic beliefs, leading to a far more moderate U.S. Constitution.

We've kept the opening patriotic tribute to a minimum this year, choosing to focus on the show's other components: songs of Revolutionary times, a brief glimpse at three contemporary songwriters whose songs speak directly to the American experience, and three sets that celebrate the musical diversity of America. If the show seems long, it is. I took the freedom WSHU allows me and extended the program an extra 30 minutes. Happy Fourth of July.