This July 4th will mark the fifth year that we’ll perform in our hometown, Atlanta, for the Independence Day fireworks celebration held at Lenox Square. It is the band’s only performance open to the public.
It is a very special show to me for several reasons. It is a chance for the bands’ families and friends to see what we do when we travel the world performing 85+ shows per year. Two of my sons – Hunter (10) and Carson (13) — play drums with us, and there’s nothing like making music with my boys. [They perform with us every July 4th.] And, the biggest reason is because of what Independence Day means to me personally.
I was born in a country where we have the freedom to worship, work and make our own path independently. These were the values of our great founding fathers, but they did not come without a price. This day reminds us all of the sacrifices made by the men and women who have served our country — many of whom paid the ultimate price — to give us our freedom and let us gather to celebrate it.
This day also reminds me to give thanks to those who have served that I know personally, like our drummer, Mark Brown, a former Marine who served in Desert Storm. He embodies the Marine spirit to work hard and be the best, and he expects the same from everyone he works with. I am proud to know him.
I truly have the best job in the world. I learned to play the guitar, formed a band, worked hard and now travel the world performing world-class events. Every time I return from abroad I’m reminded, “There’s no place like home.” It’s important to remind myself that not all artists in the world have the freedoms we treasure.
This Independence Day I encourage you to join the celebration of freedom. I believe the American Dream is alive and well. We have been blessed to live in a country where we are only bound by our vision and our commitment to do what it takes to make our vision reality. We have the freedom to choose to be the best and reach for the highest and make a difference.
I wish you a wonderful Independence Day and hope you can join us in Atlanta!
There are those, I know, who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American dream. ~Archibald MacLeish
