Celebrating America's birthday with music

Nothing says Fourth of July like Lee Greenwood, all decked out in his red, white and blue splendor, singing his iconic patriotic ode “God Bless the U.S.A.”

On the eve of the Fourth of July in Tucson, Greenwood will headline a show at Fox Tucson Theatre on Tuesday, July 3, and despite a catalogue of 30 albums and seven No. 1 hits in a career going back to the late 1970s, most in the audience will be waiting for that one moment. And when the 75-year-old singer sings the chorus — “And I’m proud to be an American / Where at least I know I’m free” — the audience will be singing so loud they will no doubt drown him out.

Greenwood’s concert — 7:30 p.m. at the Fox, 17 W. Congress St., $28.30-$46.30 through tickets.foxtucson.com — is one of several flag-waving Fourth of July themed concerts this week. Here are a few more:

•  Let Freedom Sing: It’s been a Tucson Fourth of July tradition for 34 years, a big, old-fashioned patriotic sing-along featuring some of the area’s most celebrated vocalists taking solo turns: Armen Dirtadian, Crystal Stark, Chach Snook, Domingo DeGrazia and Dennis Tamblyn. The concert, presented by Arts Express, also features the Arts Express choir and band. The show starts at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. on the University of Arizona campus. Tickets start at $10 — $25 for reserved seats — with discounts for children and teens through arts-express.org
•  Marana 4th Spectacular: The whole town seems to turn out for the annual Star Spangled Spectacular in Marana, and why wouldn’t they? Jumping castles, food trucks, a carpet of cool grass and fireworks shot from the nearby retail parking lots. And the music is always pretty top-notch.

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This year’s lineup: Tucson country singer Drew Cooper, alternative rockers Alien Atmosphere, R&B band Little House of Funk featuring Connie Brannock, indie pop-rockers Steff and the Articles and Los Angeles alternative rock trio Silent Rival, who are doing a double-dip in Tucson. The band also is playing a gig Friday, July 6, at 191 Toole. Star Spangled Spectacular is from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park, 7548 N. Silverbell Road, off North Cortaro Road. Admission is free.

•  Oro Valley 4th: The town hosts its fireworks extravaganza beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Naranja Park, 810 W. Naranja Drive. The top 40 cover band Heart & Soul performs two sets — 5 and 7:15 p.m. The event runs until 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.
•  Saluting America: Gaslight Music Hall tips its mic to men and women in uniform with an evening of patriotic odes. “Salute to America,” hosted by Armen Dirtadian, features a world-class band and special guests The Manhattan Dolls and Robert Shaw performing songs that tug at the patriotic heartstrings. The show is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 1, at Gaslight Music Hall, 13005 N. Oracle Road in Oro Valley. $25 at the door or by calling 529-1000.

The performance repeats at 7 p.m. Monday, July 2, at the Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway; $22.95 at the door or by calling 886-9428.