WASHINGTON (AP) - "American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips is joining the lineup for this year's July Fourth celebration on the National Mall in his first performance following kidney surgery and his "Idol" victory.
In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press ahead of Monday's announcement, Phillips says he's excited about his first visit to the nation's capital. The bluesy guitar man from Georgia says he's been focused on recovering from medical procedures since "Idol." Now he's eager to get back in front of an audience.
Concert organizers are announcing Monday that the 21-year-old will perform his single "Home" for an audience of more than 300,000 from the lawn of the Capitol before the annual fireworks. The show is broadcast live on PBS and NPR.
Phillips joins Matthew Broderick, country star Josh Turner, composer John Williams and others.
