Prescott-raised singer songwriter Rachel Hale told SWARK.Today Monday afternoon that though the production number she had been rehearsing with dancers and other singers for many days to perform at the Freedom 250 concert July 4th in the National Mall ended up being cancelled because of vicious storms, she is thankful for the experience and that, thanks to Fox News, America at least got to hear a sample of what could have been.
What began as an invitation to perform during one of the nation's highest-profile Independence Day celebrations turned into a chance to pay tribute that Rachel Hale says she will treasure for the rest of her life.
Hale described the performance that was planned. "I was a part of a trio with Laura Osnes and Carrie Manolakos, and we were going to perform 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,' and there were 65 dancers... and an orchestra made up of military members, and it was so special."
She explained that participants were asked not to reveal the lineup beforehand and that the directive came from the highest level. "I was so excited because I wanted to tell everyone, but we had to keep it a surprise," Hale said. "The White House wanted to keep it a surprise for the day of."
The production had been in rehearsal for several days before storms moved into the nation's capital. "We got there on the First, and we had rehearsals, and a dress rehearsal, and it was so fun," she said. "Then the storm came, and sadly our production, the whole thing got canceled."
Hale said the original program included approximately 15 to 17 musical acts before weather forced organizers to shorten the evening dramatically.
"The White House ended up having Lee Greenwood and [operatic tenor] Christopher Macchio. And President Trump spoke, and then they had the fireworks," she said. "They had to shorten the production quite a bit."
Instead of performing in their daytime timeslot before the national audience, Hale and her fellow singers found themselves sheltering from the storm alongside the World War II veterans their musical number had been intended to honor.
"Our song was for them," she said. "They all happened to be in our trailer with us, and so we thought, 'Why not sing for them?'"
The impromptu performance soon drew unexpected attention. "Fox News ended up walking in while we were performing," Hale said. "They ended up wanting us to sing it again on air, and so we did, and we were joined by another veteran who's 104 years old." This was Joe Schott, who served in the US Navy escorting ships from Halifax to Great Britain, a treacherous thing to do in the era of the German U-boat.
She said the moment, which was hosted by Peter Doocy, resonated with viewers across the country.
"Apparently I keep hearing Fox News has been playing it nonstop," Hale said. "I'm just thankful that that was caught on camera because I think everybody was a bit disappointed not getting to do the performance, but at the end of the day I was just so thankful because the reason we were singing it was for the veterans."
Rather than focusing on what was lost, Hale said she believes the canceled performance ultimately fulfilled its purpose. "It was so cool how God orchestrated that, that we still got to perform it for them in that trailer," she said.
Although the trio performed only a portion of the 1941 Andrews Sisters classic, Hale said she hopes audiences will eventually get to see the complete production. "I love that song, and I loved doing it," she said. "I pray to the Lord that somehow God will resurrect that performance, and we get to do it somewhere."
She described the arrangement itself as far more demanding than many listeners might expect. "It was very difficult," Hale said. "There's just so many pieces because it's such a fun song. Sometimes people might think an upbeat song is simple or easy."
Hale also said the weekend was made even more memorable by having loved ones present, her parents Gene (recent winner of Prescott-Nevada County’s Golden Treasure Award) and Kim Hale as well as her brother Ben Hale (current Eighth District North Prosecutor), his wife Lizzy and Rachel’s young niece and nephew. "My family came out," she said. “Their support meant a ton to me."
Working alongside nationally recognized performers and producers also left a lasting impression. "It was just such a huge blessing," Hale said.
She reserved special praise for her fellow trio members. "My co-stars, they're phenomenal," Hale said. "Having the opportunity to learn and to work together on such a special song was probably one of the treasures of my life so far."
Hale also reflected on witnessing President Donald Trump's address following all the weather delays. "I am so proud of our president," she said. "Seeing his tenacity and him stand in the midst of all of the storms and the chaos and seeing him honor the veterans, it really touched my heart."
With the Washington trip now behind her, Hale said she is turning her attention back to Nashville, where new music is at the top of her schedule. "I have another big thing coming up," she said, noting she is not yet able to announce it publicly. "I'm actually writing in Nashville a lot this month."
After spending much of the year traveling and performing, she said the opportunity to create new songs is especially welcome: "I've played so many shows and have been asked to sing the national anthem literally across the country." She mentioned it is one of her favorite songs.
Now, she said, she is eager to return to the creative process. "I love to write, and I love to create music," Hale said. "I'm really ready to get new music out to my friends and fans and supporters."
Looking ahead to the Hope Watermelon Festival concert on Aug. 8, Hale spoke warmly about country star Gretchen Wilson who is scheduled to headline the festival.
Hale compares Wilson’s honesty and her use of her working class origins in her lyrics to Loretta Lynn.
For Hale, authenticity is among the qualities she admires most in fellow performers. "Whenever someone is authentically who they are on stage, no matter what that is, I just appreciate that," she said. “I'm a big fan of her," Hale said. "I've heard that she's the same person on stage as she is off She creates art from who she is. I just love that. I respect it so much."
Hale's national visibility began when she was chosen as a Top 20 Finalist in American Idol Season 12. She has since pursued a career in music that has taken her on numerous tours, appearances as the National Anthem vocalist at NBA, NFL and MLB games and resulted in several well-regarded recordings.
Above photo: Prescott-native, singer-songwriter and recording artist Rachel Hale poses with US Navy World War II veteran Joe Schott as they await a rain storm in a shelter at Washington DC's National Mall Saturday afternoon.
Below photos: These were posted to Rachel Hale's facebook page Sunday July 5th. The collection includes Hale with her two singing partners for a scheduled Freedom 250 Concert appearance, Laura Osnes and Carrie Manolakos, Hale with Lee Greenwood and with Christopher Macchio, both of whom performed in the shortened concert, a photo of Hale with her family and other photos taken during her time in DC.
Photos below are courtesy of Stephanie Siau:
