America 250

America celebrates Independence Day every year, but turning 250 only happens once. Watching this year's World Cup has made the occasion feel even more special. Along with the matches, it has been fun seeing visitors from around the world discovering everyday American life for the first time. Sometimes it takes someone seeing your home with fresh eyes to remind you how many little things you have quietly taken for granted all along. That seems like a pretty good reason to celebrate. This Connection follows a few of the ideas that have shaped the country along the way: liberty, freedom, home, music, and a Saturday night or two. It even begins with the birthday song I have sung to friends and family for years whenever their special day comes around. After all, 250 candles deserve something a little different. I have a feeling some of those visitors are going home with a different picture of America than the one they arrived with. This year's 4th of July seemed like the right time to celebrate that.

America 250

01 Sheriff John - Birthday Cake Polka

02 Jennifer Rocket - Stand Up Baby

03 Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom

04 Grand Funk Railroad - We're An American Band

05 George Thorogood & The Destroyers - American Made

06 Lee Greenwood - God Bless The USA

07 David Bowie - Young Americans

08 Earth, Wind & Fire - Freedom

09 Sister Sledge - All American Girls

10 Alan Jackson - Home

11 Elvis Presley - An American Trilogy

12 Common Ground - This Is America

13 Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama

14 Journey - Liberty

15 Garth Brooks - American Honky-Tonk Bar Association

16 Kim Wilde - Kids In America

17 Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - American Girl

18 Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys - Liberty

19 John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads

20 Junior Brown - Freedom Machine

21 Beach Boys - Back Home

22 Brad Paisley - American Saturday Night