Jul 3, 2008 1:41 pm US/Eastern
Rascal Flatts And The Pops Tune Up For The Fourth
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
The stage is nearly set for the party that makes Boston the place to be for the Fourth of July. Rascal Flatts and the Pops have started preparations for their big show on the Esplanade Friday.
The popular country band did a sound check with the Pops Thursday morning to get ready for the evening rehearsal.
The band told WBZ they tried to make it to last year's spectacular, but their tour schedule was "too crazy." They were honored to be asked again - especially drummer Jim Riley, who is from Natick. His father is a retired Brookline firefighter.
Pops sing-off winner Katie Mayhew got a chance to meet the band at the sound check. It's the cherry on top for the 16-year-old from Martha's Vineyard who will perform Friday night.
"I'm feeling amazing. This is a dream. I don't really think I'm awake right now," she said.
The rehearsal starts at 8:30 p.m. It's the exact same musical show that will be performed on Independence Day, just without the fireworks.
You can watch the fireworks live on WBZ-TV or wbztv.com at 10:30 p.m. Friday. WBZ's live television coverage kicks off at 7 p.m.
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