Music has always had the power to bring people together.
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, a nationwide initiative is encouraging people from every corner of the country to raise their voices together through America Sings the Anthem — a celebration of unity, gratitude, faith and country.
From students and veterans to church choirs, first responders and families gathered on front porches, Americans are being invited to submit their rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” as part of the historic project.
When Bill Abbott joined Crystal Thornton for a Positive People podcast interview, he explained the deeper purpose behind the initiative.
“Our platforms are all about celebrating faith, family, and country,” Abbott said. “Our objective is to bring all of that back in a very positive way and to celebrate the beauty of the country and the great things we have as families and the great things that our faith brings us.”
Listen to the entire conversation between Crystal Thornton and Bill Abbott in the podcast below
A Growing Hunger for Shared Moments
Abbott said the response to the recent America Reads the Bible event in Washington, D.C., revealed a growing desire among Americans for shared experiences rooted in faith and patriotism.
“The vast majority of the country we believe is yearning for a celebration of the Bible, celebration of the country,” Abbott said. “People are gathered around it and behind it and excited about it.”
For Crystal Thornton, the campaign feels especially meaningful.
Over the years, Thornton has had the opportunity to sing the national anthem at events ranging from small-town baseball games to major professional sporting events. During the interview, she reflected on the powerful sense of unity those moments create.
“Whether it’s a packed stadium or a small community field, there’s always this moment where people stop and place their hand over their hearts and somehow become united for those few moments,” Thornton shared.
Abbott believes music still carries the power to heal and reconnect people during a divided cultural moment.
“Music is the heart of so much of life,” Abbott said. “Bringing music back in terms of being a celebratory moment that we can all gather around and not judge is very, very important.”
Reviving a Lost American Tradition
During the interview, Thornton recalled how television stations once ended the broadcast day by playing the national anthem before the screen faded to static.
Abbott said he hopes to help restore some of that tradition for a new generation.
Historically, television stations would sign off each night with an image of the American flag and the national anthem, a moment Abbott says once unified Americans around shared values, gratitude and patriotism.
“And this is an ongoing thing,” Abbott said. “This isn’t a one-month thing or a one-year thing.”
Abbott said the vision extends beyond “The Star-Spangled Banner” and could eventually include patriotic songs like “God Bless America,” “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” and other tributes celebrating America’s heritage, faith and freedom.
‘This Is Not an Audition. It’s a Celebration.’
One of the things Abbott emphasized most is that the project is not about fame or competition.
“This is not an audition. It’s a celebration,” he said. “We don’t want it to be a contest. We just want everyone to realize how important the national anthem is to our heritage and to celebrate it.”
He also offered encouragement to those who may feel nervous about participating.
“This is about your own emotion being expressed about the beautiful country that we live in,” Abbott said. “Just submit it in your own way and it will be appreciated and respected.”
How Americans Can Participate
As part of the nationwide initiative, Americans are invited to submit a 90-second video performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” through the official website at PureFlix.com/Anthem.
According to Great American Media, submissions are open to individuals, families, choirs, students, veterans, first responders and community groups.
The campaign is designed to showcase voices from across the country as America approaches its 250th birthday celebration.
Selected performances will air across Great American Media platforms throughout America’s 250th birthday celebration and as part of an ongoing effort to revive shared patriotic traditions through music and storytelling.
Looking Ahead to America’s 250th Birthday
As America approaches its historic milestone birthday, Abbott says his hope for the future remains rooted in the nation’s enduring values.
“Everything about our past and our heritage and the great works that we’ve done and the mercy that we’ve shown and what a force for good the United States of America is in the world,” Abbott said. “That tradition and that heritage will never die.”
“This is about your own emotion being expressed about the beautiful country that we live in,” Abbott said. “Just submit it in your own way and it will be appreciated and respected.”
Submissions for America Sings the Anthem are open now at PureFlix.com/Anthem.
I’m Crystal Thornton and this is Positive People — where stories of hope and inspiration remind us we’re stronger when we come together.