June 30, 2014 -- This Saturday, July 5 the Marine Band’s contemporary country music ensemble, Free Country, will perform in the plaza at National Harbor, as part of the National Harbor’s Military Summer Concert Series. The free concert will begin at 6 p.m. and include country classics, patriotic favorites, and original works which pay tribute to the men and women in uniform.
The program will include country favorites such as Charlie Daniels’ “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and “Take a Little Ride” by Jason Aldean as well as several patriotic tunes, including Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” and “It’s America” by Rodney Atkins.
“We are looking forward to performing with Free Country at the National Harbor, a new venue for us,” said group leader Master Gunnery Sgt. Peter Wilson. “It’s an opportunity for us to share our music with a whole new audience while enjoying the beautiful backdrop of the Potomac River along with such a thriving community.”
The group will also perform songs by country artists Kellie Pickler, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, and Tim McGraw.
Wilson continued, “We’ll have just performed for the Fourth of July festivities at the White House so it will be exciting to have the opportunity to ‘take the show on the road’ at the National Harbor the very next day!”
Along with Wilson, Free Country includes bassist Master Sgt. Aaron Clay, percussionist Master Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Rose, keyboardist Gunnery Sgt. Russell Wilson, vocalists Master Sgt. Kevin Bennear and Master Gunnery Sgt. Amy Horn, and guitarist Gunnery Sgt. Alan Prather.
Concertgoers are invited to bring a lawn chair or a blanket for seating; coolers and outside food and beverages are not allowed. For directions and parking information, visit
National Harbor.