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This year’s Fourth of July celebration at Cherokee Park is going to have a bit more twang than usual.

Legendary country music band Sawyer Brown – owner of three No. 1 hits – is going to headline the celebration, this year recognizing the country’s 250th birthday.

Formed in 1981 as the road band for Don King, Sawyer Brown began its rise to fame winning Star Search in 1983, signing with Capitol Records and going on the road opening for Kenny Rogers.

They broke through with their first No. 1 in 1985 with “Step that Step,” winning the Horizon Award as the best new act of the year at the Country Music Awards.

In 1992, the band hit its second No. 1 with “Some Girls Do,” which became the band’s signature anthem.

They followed that up in 1993 with “Thank God For You,” They were named the Vocal Group of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.

They band has continued to tour up to 300 nights a year, earning the reputation as The Rolling Stones of Country. Along the way, they have amassed three No. 1 hits, 51 charted singles, 24 albums, and a Grammy.

In 2025, the band released its first new album in 20 years. The Desperado Troubadours was produced by Blake Shelton For Curb Records.

“One of the unique things about the band is we don’t really have a lot of love songs. We have life songs.” said the group’s lead singer and rhythm guitarist Mark Miller.

The band’s current line-up features founding members Miller, Gregg “Hobie” Hubbard on keyboards and vocals and Joe “Curly” Smith on drums. Shayne Hill, who joined the band in 2004, handles lead guitar and vocals.

Organizers for this year’s event are thrilled to have a band the caliber of Sawyer Brown to play in the Cherokee Park’s Citizen Tribune Amphitheater.

“On behalf of The Terry Law Firm we would Like to thank our partners in the 4th of July celebration for securing Sawyer Brown as the Headliner for this year’s event,” said Brack Terry, speaking for the event’s fireworks sponsor. “We have planned a bigger and better fireworks presentation this year and we appreciate Hamblen County stepping up to the plate with additional performance sponsorships to ensure this is the best 4th of July event yet!”