PAT GREEN TO HEADLINE SHELL FREEDOM OVER TEXAS

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Houston’s official Fourth of July Celebration fine tunes for 2020

ABC13 will provide a live statewide simulcast of the entire event, and COX Media Group radio stations will also simulcast the fireworks music soundtrack.

Houston’s signature patriotic celebration is back with a 2020 approach. Shell Freedom Over Texas will feature a vigorous line up of live and virtual entertainers via broadcast and live streaming on Saturday, July 4th from 6:30 – 10 p.m. Mayor Sylvester Turner’s mission is to uphold the health and safety of all Houstonians. This year, guests will not gather for the annual festival on Buffalo Bayou in Eleanor Tinsley and Sam Houston Parks, but will honor the City’s cherished tradition under a new format

“We will celebrate Houston’s diversity and America’s Freedom at the city’s signature Independence Day event in a new way,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “This is an opportunity for us to recognize our community for its perseverance through the ongoing pandemic. I am personally grateful to our NEW title sponsor, Shell Oil Company, and NEW fireworks sponsor, Reliant. Their support means we can also honor organizations that have been on the frontlines during the health crisis. I am also grateful for our returning annual sponsors Walmart, Dr. Pepper, and Bud Light Seltzer, who continue to support this important community event.”

The evening will kick off with a patriotic tribute by the Houston Symphony, followed by performances with guest artists Houston rappers, humanitarians and philanthropists, Bun B and Trae Tha Truth, nationally acclaimed mariachi band Mariachi Imperial De America, andHouston sibling Norteño trio Los Luzeros De Rioverde.

Closing out the diverse evening of musical entertainment is three-time, Grammy-nominated Texas country music icon, singer/songwriter Pat Green. An influential modern star in Texas country music, Green’s talent is undeniable with contagious anthems including, “Wave On Wave,” “Songs About Texas,” “Baby Doll,” “Let Me,” and most recently, “Girls From Texas,” featuring Lyle Lovett off his latest album release, HOME. 

“Shell has a history of partnership and volunteerism in our Houston area community and is proud to join with the City and fellow Houstonians in celebration of Freedom Over Texas on July 4th – a day that marks the birth and independence of our Nation, and has come to symbolize freedom, hope and challenges overcome,” said Gretchen Watkins, Shell Oil Company president. “It’s also a reminder that together, we can continue to create a supportive, world-class community – one that promotes care and equality.”

Local and regional favorites will join the show from their stage of choice for virtual appearances and throw-back tributes including:

  • Lyle Lovett – Legendary four-time Grammy Award-winning country music singer/songwriter
  • Josh Turner – Award winning American country and gospel singer known for hits “Your Man” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and 2015 Freedom Over Texas headliner
  • La Mafia –Houston’s ownfour-time Grammy Award-winning Latin group, celebrating their 40th anniversary
  • Hunter Hayes – 2017 Freedom Over Texas headliner and CMA Award-winning artist
  • Sarah Evans-Grammy Award-winning country artist

For the fifth year, Walmart and Dr Pepper have partnered with the Military Warriors Support Foundation to give a home to a deserving combat-wounded veteran during the broadcast.

“Miller Outdoor Theatre has been the Houston Symphony’s Summer home for nearly 80 years,” said Houston Symphony Executive Director, CEO, and holder of the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair John Mangum, “and we’ve been performing on the 4th of July at Miller since the mid-’80s. While so much seems uncertain in the midst of this pandemic, we’re happy and proud at the Symphony to partner with the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and ABC13 to ensure that our city will have a great 4th of July celebration, and I look forward to the time when the Symphony can be back at Miller, hopefully sooner rather than later.”

No July 4th is complete without a fireworks finale. Thanks to new sponsor, Reliant, the evening will culminate in a splash of fireworks that can be seen on ABC13 or in the skies near downtown with Cox Media radio stations simulcasting the music.

Each year Freedom Over Texas donates a portion of the proceeds to the Houston Food Bank. This year, we will feature a “Text to Give” campaign to benefit the food bank and initiatives to help close the digital divide.

For more information, go to www.freedomovertexas.org.

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