The Fourth of July, 2026, marked a significant milestone for the Journey to Liberty project as the very first public performance of some of its songs echoed across St. George, Utah. Sponsored by Liberty Village and United We Pledge, the historic day set a new standard for community celebration, culminating in the largest fireworks display ever mounted in the region, a majestic helicopter flyover, and the unfurling of the largest American flag in southern Utah following a 45-minute pre-show.
Amidst this sweeping commemoration of America's semiquincentennial, I was thrilled to witness the debut live performance of three tracks from the Journey to Liberty collection: "Americans Forevermore," "Beating Heart of Liberty," and the soaring anthem "Freedom's Flame." Woven into the musical presentation, an abbreviated version of George Washington's narrative from the project was read by a reenactor representing Martha Washington, supporting the educational and emotional resonance of the music.
Delivered with incredible energy by America Rocks as an opening act for the evening's main concert headliner, Russell Dickerson, the performance bridged history in an energetic, living medium. Hearing these arrangements brought to life for the first time on such an extraordinary anniversary offered a connection to the enduring human stories of our founders.
Reporting on the concert and preshow, the St. George News wrote, "part of the 45-minute preshow put together by United We Pledge was a performance by a Las Vegas-based band called America Rocks, who delivered educational history lessons about the Revolutionary War and the founding of the USA, disguised as rock songs." History lessons disguised as rock songs? This is one of the most intriguing and compelling reviews I've read about this music. Perhaps I should say, "thank you, mission accomplished!"
Special Acknowledgments
Bringing these foundational narratives from the studio to a live stage on a historic national day required exceptional dedication. Heartfelt thanks go out to Dennis Leavitt, Ellen Jensen, Justin Prince, Shea Benoit, John Minneti, Andrew Freeman, Gabriel Guardian, Mike Powers, Johnny Degelia, Jacob Haws and Daniel Mortensen for your support and collaboration in realizing and capturing this memorable premiere.
