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This new six-part series celebrates the inspiring efforts of individuals facing extraordinary circumstances with surprise songs written and performed by music's biggest stars. Each episode follows a different featured artist, including Grammy Award-winning country artist Jennifer Nettles, as they turn a local hero’s transformative story into a powerful and deeply personal anthem.
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American Anthems is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
About the Show
Across the country, in every community, unsung heroes are quietly working to improve the lives of others. Their inspiring efforts often receive little fanfare — until now. "American Anthems" celebrates everyday heroes with surprise songs from today's biggest country music stars including Jennifer Nettles, Lee Brice, Lindsay Ell, Kristian Bush, The War and Treaty, Cam and more.
Each episode follows a different featured country star as they meet a local hero and learn about the transformative experience that inspired their commitment to making a positive change in their community. Then, working with a songwriter, the artist will secretly turn the hero's story of kindness, hard work and perseverance into an epic original song.
At the end of the episode, the hero will be surprised by the artist with a once-in-a-lifetime performance of the emotional life-honoring anthem while surrounded by family and friends.
More About the Episodes
Episode 1 | Life is Sweet
Grammy winner Jennifer Nettles surprises a cancer foundation founder with an anthem about his life.
Episode 2 | Pocket Change
Lee Brice creates a guitar jam for a "hope dealer" who pays for laundry in low-income communities.
Episode 3 | Soldier on All Fours
The War and Treaty creates an unforgettable ballad for a veteran who is saving retired military K-9s.
Episode 4 | Let the Words Come Out
Lindsay Ell and Kristian Bush craft a fight song for a woman helping sexual assault survivors.
Episode 5 | Make Tomorrow Come Today
Grammy nominee Cam surprises the Black Book Project founder with an anthem urging us to act now.
Episode 6 | What You're Here For
Singer Ruston Kelly writes an anthem to remind us of the good we can do for humanity.
Produced by
Photos from American Anthems
Seth Grumet, founder Stomp the Monster, and wife Margie hearing "Life Is Sweet" for the first time.
1/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
Bill Sherman and Jennifer Nettles performing "Life Is Sweet."
2/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
Ashley Ruiz, Team Leader of the Nashville Laundry Project, and one of the Laundry Project's beneficiaries.
3/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
Singer/songwriter Lee Brice and songwriter Billy Montana finish the first performance of "Pocket Change."
4/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
Michael Trotter, Tanya Trotter, John Guthrie, and Jason Johnson training with K9 Klara.
5/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
Jason Johnson (Founder, Project K-9 Hero) and Amanda Bolyard hearing "Soldier On All Fours" performed for first time.
6/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
Tanya Trotter, Michael Trotter (The War and Treaty) and Jason Johnson after the performance of "Soldier On All Fours."
7/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
Greta McClain (Founder, Silent No Longer) glazing a dish at the Clay Lady Studios.
8/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
Lindsay Ell (Singer/Songwriter) teaches Greta McLain (Founder, Silent No Longer TN) how to play a C chord.
9/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
Nadia Grace Freeman, a middle school volunteer; singer/songwriter Cam; and Meredith McKinney, founder of the Black Book Project put stickers into donated books.
10/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
Singer/songwriter Cam performing "Make Tomorrow Come Today" for Meredith McKinney, her family and friends.
11/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
Meredith McKinney, founder of the Black Book Project, and her husband Luther listening to "Make Tomorrow Come Today" for the first time.
12/12
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group
