NEW YORK, NY (June 12, 2014) – On Friday, July 4th, The Charlie Daniels Band
will help celebrate Independence Day as his newly recorded performance
of “My Home,” written by the Emmy Award winning songwriting team of Doug
Katsaros and William Schermerhorn, will be synced to dazzling
pyrotechnics as the 38th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® ignite the
sky over New York City – Live from the Brooklyn Bridge. Set to deliver
the nation’s largest display of patriotic firepower and ready to dazzle
more than 3 million spectators and millions more on television
nationwide, Macy’s Fireworks this year will be launched from barges
positioned on the lower East River and from the world-famous Brooklyn
Bridge.
“It’s an honor to be a part of celebrating the birthday of the
greatest nation on earth and an honor to be chosen to record this
patriotic song that is going to be choreographed with one of the most
spectacular fireworks displays that our country will see this
year,” says Charlie Daniels.
“As the song was being written for the fireworks score, we knew it
had to be performed by an iconic American band that can get this country
up on its feet!” says William Schermerhorn, creative director for
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. “It was thrilling to have Charlie and his
band take this song and make it their own. And nothing could add to
our pyrotechnic celebration like the sound of Charlie Daniels’ fiddle!”
Against the iconic New York City skyline, the 38th annual Macy’s 4th
of July Fireworks will fire more than 40,000 pyrotechnic shells and
effects during an expertly synchronized display. Pyro Spectaculars by
Souza is once again at the helm of the pyrotechnics set to launch from
the Brooklyn Bridge and from three barges positioned on the lower East
River between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges heading south towards
the historic South Street Seaport district and the shores of Brooklyn’s
famed piers and promenade.
“Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks are a one-of-a-kind spectacle that will
once again inspire audiences nationwide as we illuminate the shores of
lower Manhattan and Brooklyn with stunning effects, color and sound,”
said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. “This
year, we are thrilled to incorporate the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge as
a showcase for never-before-seen effects and as a stunning backdrop to
the multi-dimensional, hyperkinetic experience of the nation’s best
Independence Day fireworks display.”
Beginning with the score, the musical blueprint to the high-flying
explosions will be a patriotic wonder. The 25-minute display will be
choreographed to dynamic new arrangements of both classic patriotic
favorites and new musical selections. From “God Bless America” to “This
Land Is Your Land,” the score will feature the talents of the all-female
musicians of The DIVA Jazz Orchestra; with vocal artistry featuring
Tony Award® winner Billy Porter helming the new song “It’s a Patriotic
Kind of Day;” the world-famous Charlie Daniels Band on the patriotic “My
Home;” and the acclaimed vocal ensemble Judith Clurman’s Essential
Voices USA putting their special touch on “America the Beautiful.” In
honor of the 200th Anniversary of “The Star Spangled Banner,” Broadway
superstar and Tony Award winner Idina Menzel will inspire the entire
nation with her heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem.
Since 1976, Macy’s Fireworks have grown in scale and artistry as they
burst to life over many of New York City’s waterways and neighborhoods.
Incorporating landmarks and milestones is a Macy’s Fireworks signature.
Macy’s last showcased the Brooklyn Bridge in its Fireworks spectacle in
1995. This year’s more intricate and advanced creative presentation on
the Bridge will accentuate a jam packed show of stunning effects.
Amy Kule added, “We’ve had our eyes set to feature this world-famous
landmark in our show for many years and with the advancements in
pyrotechnic technology and artistry, we expect to launch a series of
custom effects at various featured points during the 25-minute show that
will delight millions of spectators as this quintessential New York
icon joins the 4th of July party.”
From a rapid fire comet chase along the roadways and towers to a
stunning rainbow cascade effect, the highlighted moments of the Brooklyn
Bridge’s integration into the show will enhance the dynamic
multi-angle, multi-dimensional fireworks presentation along the lower
East River. With 5,000 custom-made effects among others emanating from
the Bridge at various points during the display, the presentation ranges
from special accent moments to full-scale Bridge solos, creating a
spectacle fit for the record books. The 38th annual display which begins
at approximately 9:20 PM, will also debut new shells and effects
including a red serpent star fish, puffy snowballs with red and blue
centers, and amber colored glitter shells. Revelers lining viewing
locations are encouraged to enjoy the full experience by tuning in to
radio station 1010 WINS-AM to hear the musical score to which the show
is choreographed.
Macy’s explosive spectacle is made possible in part by Cracker Jack®,
FYI™ Network, The Howard Hughes Corporation’s South Street Seaport,
Kool-Aid®, Planters®, South Street Seaport Museum, and is presented in
partnership with the City of New York.
Fans joining the revelry in person along viewing points on the water
will be in for extra special treats as the fun begins with two rumbling
flyovers from United States Navy F-18 jets at approximately 7:30 PM and a
patriotic flight from the NYPD Helicopter unit at approximately 7:45
PM. In addition, the FDNY will return with their famed 4th of July water
show beginning at 8:00 PM. Public viewing locations and dedicated entry
points will be set up along various streets in the South Street Seaport
historic district for FDR Drive viewing in lower Manhattan and from
various streets in Brooklyn for access to Brooklyn Bridge Park Piers
1-6, as well as the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
Spectators from coast-to-coast will also have a front row view of the
pyro in the sky by tuning to NBC’s national broadcast of “Macy’s 4th of
July Fireworks Spectacular” at 8:00 PM ET (check local listings). In
addition to the pyrotechnics, the 4th of July’s most popular
entertainment special will be hosted by Nick Cannon and feature
performances from Ariana Grande, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert, Lionel
Ritchie, and more of the nation’s hottest musical acts.