NASHVILLE – Multi-platinum Country superstar Dierks Bentley will headline Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced today. The downtown event will present one of the country’s largest July 4th fireworks and drone shows synchronized to live music from the GRAMMY-winning Nashville Symphony.
Let Freedom Sing! will feature the free Amazon Family Fun Zone, and include inflatables and live music. The concert and fireworks show are free and open to the public. The event drives significant economic activity, supporting local businesses, generating tax revenue, and boosting tourism across the city.
Bentley will be joined on the Jack Daniel’s Broadway Stage by a lineup that showcases diverse musical influences, including multi-platinum sensation Russell Dickerson—known for his high-energy live shows and recent viral hit “Happen To Me,” along with chart-toppers like “Yours” and “Blue Tacoma;” Niko Moon, known for his blend of laid-back coastal vibes and country and pop influences, as well as his multi-platinum single “Good Time;” and Grace Bowers, an 18-year-old, award-winning guitarist, songwriter and bandleader whose independent release of her debut album Wine on Venus combines funk, soul, blues, and rock.
Just ahead of the July 4th celebration, Bentley will release his 11th studio album BROKEN BRANCHES on June 13 (Capitol Records Nashville). Whittling down his essential sound to its rooted and most resolute, the album finds a proud broken branch celebrating the outliers of country life – and of country music. The eleven songs embrace unruly characters wherever they’re found, ultimately adding beauty to the whole, and is available now for pre-order.
“Music City knows how to throw a celebration, and this free July 4th event will again be one of the best in the country,” said Ken Levitan, board chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and co-president of Vector Management. “With an incredible lineup that includes Dierks Bentley, Russell Dickerson, Niko Moon and Grace Bowers, we’re excited to welcome both visitors and locals for a day filled with unforgettable music, family-friendly activities and pride in the red, white and blue. Events like this not only showcase Nashville’s world-class talent but also drive meaningful economic activity for Nashville and its hospitality industry.”
The Amazon Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park will offer family-friendly activities during the day with a multi-genre lineup of music that include Walker Montgomery, The Nashville Soul Experience, Alicia Blue, KIRWAN the band and Les Kerr and The Bayou Band with DJ Rod Youree entertaining between sets.
The event shifts in the evening to the free concert at the Jack Daniel’s Broadway Stage located at First and Broadway. Nashville-based artist Keesha Rainey will perform the National Anthem. Kelly Sutton will emcee the Jack Daniel’s Broadway Stage, and DJ Dave Aude will provide entertainment between sets.
After the concert, the event will move to Ascend Amphitheater for the live performance by the Nashville Symphony accompanying the 30-minute fireworks and drone show.
Let Freedom Sing! partners with local organizations to give back to the community and to make the event more accessible, sustainable, and safe.
- Let Freedom Sing! is partnering with Dierks Bentley’s Riser Foundation, which supports charitable organizations with a focus on the needs of children and families, as well as homelessness, literacy, education and hunger.
- StageWater canned water will be available for purchase at beverage stands and throughout the Let Freedom Sing! event footprint. The company donates a portion of proceeds to support nonprofits that assist those in need within the entertainment industry, such as providing healthcare and hardship grants and supporting independent venues and promoters. StageWater is led by CEO Chris Thacker, tour manager for Bentley, and CMO Zach Belcher, Bentley’s touring photographer and videographer.
- Accessibility features will include an ADA platform and ASL interpreter at the Broadway Stage, and new this year the event will add a partnership with KultureCity to provide Sensory Bags and a Sensory Room.
- The NCVC will continue sustainability practices from previous years, including recycling cardboard, aluminum and plastic; recycling solid grease and grease water; composting and upcycling signage for re-use as art supplies; and using energy-saving LED lights in video and lighting, as well as solar powered lights.
- Care Kitchen Outreach will pick up extra catered food to distribute to local nonprofits.
- Compost Nashville will collect organic waste material at compost stations at the Amazon Family Fun Zone in Music City Walk of Fame Park and along First Avenue North near Riverfront Park.
- For the first time, the event will include Sober Space in partnership with Cumberland Heights, similar to the Sober Space at the 2024 New Year’s Eve concert.
- Let Freedom Sing! will be a Safe Bar event, with key bar and security staff trained in bystander intervention and awareness about alcohol’s role in sexual assault. For more information, visit SafeBarApp.org.
- Volunteers with Red Frogs help create a positive presence at music festivals. They will have a tent at the Amazon Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park and on Second Avenue North where they will provide free phone charging, give away cups of water to help keep everyone hydrated and provide sunscreen. Red Frogs volunteers will also rove the event site to ensure patrons are safe and to provide immediate help where needed.
Bentley counts eight Number One albums, 22 Number One songs, and over nine billion global streams to his credit – plus 15 Grammy nominations, a star on the Music City Walk of Fame and membership in the historic Grand Ole Opry. A global headliner and against-the-grain torch bearer for country’s organic roots, Bentley will launch his 30-city Broken Branches Tour on May 29 with Zach Top and The Band Loula.
Tennessee native Dickerson made a powerful entrance into the country music scene with four consecutive No. 1 hits on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart. Now, he’s keeping that momentum going with his latest single, “Happen To Me,” which marks the biggest streaming debut of his career. With roots in country storytelling and a love for rhythmic, beach-inspired melodies.
Moon’s music creates the perfect soundtrack for sunny days, positive energy and living in the moment. He recently released his highly anticipated These Are the Nights EP. Bowers is currently on tour supporting Gary Clark Jr. She won Instrumentalist of the Year at the 2024 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards, recently performed with Peter Frampton and Trey Anastasio for Love Rocks NYC at the Beacon Theater and at the 67th GRAMMY Awards with Chris Martin (Coldplay), and joined Lainey Wilson as part of the Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash celebration in 2023.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper is produced by Music City Inc., the foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, for the city of Nashville. The free, family-friendly event was created to entertain Nashvillians and attract visitors to generate economic activity and tax revenue for the city. The event has regularly drawn more than 200,000 attendees – and a record-breaking 355,000 in 2024, generating a record $17.5 million in estimated direct visitor spending. This will be the 22nd annual celebration produced by Music City Inc. through the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and the 41st in the city.
Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th is presented by Dr Pepper and partners include Advance Financial, Budweiser, Crav’n Flavor, Dr Pepper Blackberry, Folds of Honor Tennessee, General Jackson Showboat, Gibson Gives, Jack Daniel’s, Kroger, Luzianne® Tea, Nashville International Airport, NUTRL, Omni Nashville Hotel, Reser’s Fine Foods, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Tennessee Highway Safety Office: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
Visit Music City offers a complimentary Trip Planner service to help visitors make the most of their July 4th trip. Speak with a Nashville Expert to begin planning: 800-657-6910.
Book Your Stay
Make the most of your July 4th getaway in Music City. With more than 160 options—ranging from marquee hotels to charming boutiques—book today and start planning an unforgettable trip for the whole family.
Exclusive Fireworks Viewing Experience
Make this July 4th unforgettable with our exclusive viewing of one of the largest firework displays in the country. This family-friendly experience offers premium seating overlooking the Cumberland River and summer snacks. This experience is known to sell out quickly and space is limited: Lodging Package or Ticket.
Dierks Bentley
After more than 20 years on country’s family tree, Dierks Bentley celebrates the outliers of small-town life – and of country music – with his 11th studio album BROKEN BRANCHES (Capitol Records Nashville) set for release June 13. Whittling down his essential sound to its rooted and most resolute, the 11 songs embrace unruly characters wherever they’re found, ultimately adding beauty to the whole. A proud broken branch in his own right, the multi-Platinum superstar’s current Top 30 “She Hates Me” is quickly climbing the charts following eight Number One albums, 22 Number One songs and over nine billion global streams – plus 15 Grammy nominations and membership in the historic Grand Ole Opry. A global headliner and against-the-grain torch bearer for country’s organic roots, Bentley will launch his 30-city Broken Branches Tour on May 29 with Zach Top and The Band Loula. Continuing the path built from the ground up, as an entrepreneur, he has opened four locations of the gastropub and live music venue “Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row,” has a Flag & Anthem lifestyle collection “Desert Son” and recently released ROW 94 – a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey crafted with only “three ingredients and the truth” at Kentucky’s Green River Distilling Co. dierks.com.
Russell Dickerson
Multi-platinum artist and all-in performer Russell Dickerson made a name for himself as an “ace songwriter” (Billboard) full of “unstoppable energy fans can’t get enough of” (E! News). After bursting onto the scene, the Tennessee native quickly stood out by releasing four consecutive career-launching singles that each reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Since then, Dickerson has earned platinum or multi-platinum status on hits like “Yours” (3X Platinum), “Blue Tacoma” (2X Platinum), “Every Little Thing” (Platinum), “Love You Like I Used To” (Platinum), and “She Likes It” ft. Jake Scott (2X Platinum). In 2023, he scored his fifth No. 1 hit with “God Gave Me A Girl,” followed by the release of “Good Day to Have a Great Day,” “Bones” and his latest single “Happen To Me,” which marked the biggest debut of his career, notching over 9 million global streams in the first week. Known for his electric performances, Dickerson will hit the road this year on the RussellMania Tour 2025, extending into amphitheaters this summer and fall, with direct support from Jake Scott and Niko Moon on select dates. russelldickerson.com
Niko Moon
Niko Moon has established himself as one of country music’s most exciting and dynamic new voices. He first gained recognition as a co-writer for the Zac Brown Band, contributing to hits like “Homegrown,” “Beautiful Drug” and “Loving You Easy.” He has also written songs for other major artists, including Morgan Wallen and HARDY. In 2020, Moon broke out as a solo artist with his multi-platinum single “Good Time,” which topped the country charts and became an anthem for good vibes. Following his These Are the Days EP earlier this year, Moon recently released his highly anticipated These Are the Nights EP, a four-song collection that reflects the magic of life’s simple joys and the energy of life on tour. Tracks like “Money Can’t Buy” and “Summer Don’t Go” highlight Moon’s signature blend of positivity, storytelling and feel-good sound. Most recently, he released “I Love This Beach,” a sun-soaked, coastal-inspired single already being embraced as the anthem of summer 2025. Known for his high-energy live performances, Moon continues to tour the country with his These Are the Nights Tour, delivering unforgettable experiences for fans nationwide. Off stage, Moon and his wife, Anna, co-founded the Happy Cowboy Foundation, which supports mental health initiatives and addiction recovery programs. Niko is also the founder of Happy Himalayan, a premium artesian water brand infused with pink Himalayan sea salt, designed to promote health, wellness, and hydration. Through his foundation, water brand, and music, Moon aims to inspire others to prioritize well-being and positivity. nikomoon.com.
Grace Bowers
Grace Bowers is an 18-year-old, award-winning guitarist, songwriter and bandleader who is undisputedly on a meteoric rise with buzz reaching fever pitch around the independent release of her debut album, Wine On Venus. Produced by John Osborne (Brothers Osborne), Wine On Venus garnered widespread acclaim. Forbes praised it as, “an infectious, joyous party,” and Rolling Stone called Bowers “Nashville’s new guitar hero.” Bowers cut her teeth playing in dive bars, inspired by the blues of B.B. King as well as the soulful funk of Sly And The Family Stone. Her breakout moment came when videos of her playing guitar on social media went viral during the pandemic. She has since become one of the most in-demand and celebrated young guitarists and an inspiration to a whole new generation of female guitarists around the world. Bowers recently performed with Peter Frampton and Trey Anastasio for Love Rocks NYC at the Beacon Theater and at the 67th GRAMMY Awards with Chris Martin (Coldplay). She was awarded the Variety Next Gen award at their annual Hitmakers event in Los Angeles. She also made her late-night television debut on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” was featured on “CBS Mornings” and NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and toured this past fall with The Red Clay Strays, The Allman Betts Family Revival and The Roots. She is currently on tour supporting Gary Clark Jr. Bowers won Instrumentalist of the Year at the 2024 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards, made her Grand Ole Opry debut on her 18th birthday, and was named a U.S. Global Music Ambassador by the U.S. Department of State and YouTube’s Global Music Diplomacy Initiative. She also performed alongside Dolly Parton on CBS, joined Lainey Wilson as part of CBS’ New Year’s Eve Live celebration, and been sought after by everyone from Tyler Childers and Susan Tedeschi to Kingfish. This past summer she joined Slash and Brothers Osborne on the road and performed alongside Billy Idol at the Fired Up For Summer benefit concert. She is perhaps most proud of raising $30,000 with her Second Annual “Grace Bowers & Friends: An Evening Supporting Love, Life & Music” benefit show, $15,000 of which was donated to MusiCares®. gracebowers.com
Walker Montgomery
Chosen as an “Artist to Watch” by Country Now, Music Mayhem Magazine, Sounds Like Nashville, The Boot and others, Walker Montgomery knows a thing or two about family tradition, but is also striving to build his own legacy. As the son of John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery, he was raised away from the spotlight in Nicholasville, KY, but moved to Nashville and is carving a path all his own on today’s country scene. Walker made his Grand Ole Opry debut late last year and his pedigree is matched only by his passion for real country music, and he’s already put his classically inspired, honey-bourbon vocal to use on a self-penned debut hit, “Simple Town,” with over seven million global streams. His romantic power-ballad, “She Don’t Know,” featured on the 2022 Rust EP has garnered the new artist a staggering 40 million streams worldwide, in addition to his other story-building singles, the high-energy “Out of Nowhere” and good-time filled “Bad Day to be a Beer.” Montgomery has previously released singles from his EP Work to Do, the title track, “Lonely for A Livin,’” “Tired of You” and “Never Again One More Time,” as well as a collaboration version of “Never Again One More Time,” with Randy Rogers. Walker’s previous single, “I Love The Way You Love Me” has garnered more than 35 million views on his TikTok page. His latest release “Never Had You Anyway” is quickly gaining steam and is available everywhere now. walkermontgomery.com
The Nashville Soul Experience
The Nashville Soul Experience is a group of touring and studio veterans who have worked with the likes of Zac Brown Band, Gladys Knight, Lyle Lovett, CeCe Winans, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Jonny Lang and countless others. Their blend of classic and contemporary soul music is guaranteed to take listeners right down memory lane to the middle of the dance floor.
Alicia Blue
Americana-Country artist Alicia Blue began her songwriting journey in 2016 after performing at her first open mic. One of her early songs, “Magma,” found national exposure through Starbucks stores and Spotify playlists. In 2021, she spent time in Nashville collaborating with notable singer-songwriters, eventually making the move to Music City. In 2024, Blue released “Tennessee,” a duet with legendary artist Lucinda Williams. Earlier this year, she performed as part of a multi-genre lineup at the inaugural 615 Indie Live, an event produced by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp to support and celebrate independent music venues and local artists aliciablue.com
KIRWAN the band
KIRWAN the band is husband-and-wife duo Colm and Caitriona Kirwan (pronounced column and Katrina). Hailing from Northern Ireland, they now live south of Nashville. Caitriona won a major songwriting competition to win a trip to Nashville, and in 2015 she opened for the legendary Van Morrison. Colm toured with iconic Country star Don Williams for three years. Their genre-bending music is influenced by Country, pop and Americana. kirwantheband.com
Les Kerr and The Bayou Band
Les Kerr and the Bayou Band bring blues, bluegrass, Zydeco, rock and Cajun music together to create their “Hillbilly Blues Caribbean Rock & Roll,” an upbeat combination that follows the bandleader’s influences from his native Gulf Coast to Music City. A fixture in the Nashville music scene for decades, the group has performed at many festivals and has headlined annual Mardi Gras celebrations at Nashville’s famed Bluebird Cafe since 1992. Other performance venues for the group have included Nashville’s official Independence Day celebration, the Grand Ole Opry House, the Country Music Hall of Fame, Southern Festival of Books and events for the Nashville Predators and the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament. This year marks the release of Kerr’s 12th album, Child of Highway Ninety. leskerr.com
Keesha Rainey
Keesha Rainey was born and raised in Nashville and is a nationally known singer-songwriter with powerful vocals, high energy, edginess, and signature red hair. She has recorded and released two gospel albums and singles and currently serves as Minister of Music and Worship Leader for her local church. She performs the National Anthem for multiple professional and college sports teams, including the Nashville Predators, Nashville Soccer Club and Vanderbilt University.
Nashville Symphony
Led by Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, the Nashville Symphony inspires and engages a diverse and growing community with extraordinary live orchestral music experiences. Since its founding in Music City in 1946, the Nashville Symphony has been celebrated for its dedication to contemporary American orchestral music, innovative programming across multiple genres, and a prolific recording schedule that has produced 14 GRAMMY® Awards and 27 nominations. More than 40,000 students and adults have access to 20 free education and community programs each year. Learn more about free and low-cost educational programs and initiatives at nashvillesymphony.org.
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City
The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City is to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination. Visit the NCVC’s website at www.visitmusiccity.com and follow us on social media @VisitMusicCity.
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