Ever since the original Fourth of July shindig -- you know, that one in 1776 -- the event has been filled with a boom. Of course, the cannon and musket fire of George Washington's time have been replaced with the boom of fireworks -- and also, in our area, with the boom of concerts.
Country star Darryl Worley, known for his hit song "Have You Forgotten?," headlines a concert July 3 at the Bandshell in Daytona Beach. Meanwhile, the hard rock band Buckcherry, known for their song "Crazy Bitch," headlines a concert tonight at Destination Daytona in Ormond Beach.
So, what's a patriotic music fan to do? Which concert do you choose to show you're true to the red, white and blue?
Here's this music critic's handy guide to help you select the most patriotic event to celebrate this Fourth of July:
Heritage
Which artist, Darryl Worley or Buckcherry, has the most "American" family lineage, or the cultural background that most bespeaks of all-American values?
Born in Pyburn, Tenn., Worley is the son of a Methodist preacher, his mama sang in the church choir and, according to his Web site, his grandfather was a moonshiner.
Buckcherry formed in Los Angeles in 1995 after singer Josh Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson were introduced to each other by their tattoo artist. Though hailing from the Guns N' Roses and AC/DC school, they named their band Sparrow -- until Sparrow Records, a Christian label, forced them to change it. Todd and company decided on Buckcherry, which they said came from a drag queen acquaintance.
Moonshining vs. drag queening: Too close to call. Advantage -- tie.
Music
Whose music most reflects American ideals?
Worley scored No.-1 hits with the song "I Miss My Friend" in 2002 and "Awful, Beautiful Life" in 2005. But his biggest hit came in 2003. After visiting U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Uzbekistan, Worley was inspired to pen his uber-patriotic anthem "Have You Forgotten?"
Sample lyrics: "I hear people saying we don't need this war. But I say there's some things worth fighting for ... Have you forgotten when those towers fell? We had neighbors still inside going through a living hell. And you say we shouldn't worry about bin Laden. Have you forgotten?"
The song provoked controversy among those who pointed out that no one -- not the Bush administration, the CIA, James Bond or Scooby Doo -- had verified a link between Osama bin Laden and Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein. But why let the facts get in the way of a butt-kicking country song?
Buckcherry stirred up their own controversy with their hit song "Lit Up," from the band's self-titled debut album in 1999. Sample lyric: "I love the cocaine. I love the cocaine." The line prompted MTV to air an edited version of the video, yet the song still went to No. 1 on the mainstream-rock radio chart.
Some observers sniffed that the controversy seemed a bit too pat, that the band was courting publicity. After all, new rock band plus druggy single equals instant notoriety.
"We did want a single that would get noticed," Nelson told The New York Daily News.
War song vs. drug song: Advantage -- Worley.
Exercise of that great American liberty known as freedom of speech: Advantage -- Buckcherry.
NASCAR connection
Which artist has the greater connection to NASCAR and July 4's Coke Zero 400 race at Daytona International Speedway? After all, stock car racin' is as American as apple pie.
If Worley has any connection to NASCAR, it's not readily apparent on his Web site, in his press releases or on his new album, "Sounds Like Life," which was released last month.
Meanwhile, this spring Turner Network Television enlisted Buckcherry to remake "Highway Star," that 1972 Deep Purple song. TNT fashioned the song into a video that's featured in its current broadcasts of NASCAR races, including the Coke Zero 400.
Though the lads of Buckcherry get plenty of face time in the video, the clip's undeniable star is Carl Edward's spectacular, utterly car-crunching wreck at Talladega in April.
Boom indeed! Advantage -- Buckcherry.
Final tally in this poll: The most patriotic artist is ... Buckcherry. But the result ultimately may depend on whether one believes country or rock 'n' roll is the music that most bleeds red, white and blue.
If You Go
WHAT: "Red, White and Vroom" pre-Fourth of July celebration
WHO/WHEN: 3-10 p.m. July 3. Johnny Bulford concert, 5:30 p.m.; Jeff Gordon Q&A, 7:30 p.m.; Darryl Worley concert, 8:15 p.m.
WHERE: Bandshell, behind the Ocean Walk Shoppes, 250 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach.
ADMISSION: Free
INFORMATION: 386-671-8250.
If You
WHO: Buckcherry, Nonpoint and The Inervoid
WHEN: 7 p.m. July 3
WHERE: Coca-Cola Pavilion at Destination Daytona, 1637 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach
TICKETS: $25, available at the gate
INFORMATION: 386-671-7103
Which artist, Darryl Worley or Buckcherry, has the most "American" family lineage, or the cultural background that most bespeaks of all-American values?
Born in Pyburn, Tenn., Worley is the son of a Methodist preacher, his mama sang in the church choir and, according to his Web site, his grandfather was a moonshiner.
Buckcherry formed in Los Angeles in 1995 after singer Josh Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson were introduced to each other by their tattoo artist. Though hailing from the Guns N' Roses and AC/DC school, they named their band Sparrow -- until Sparrow Records, a Christian label, forced them to change it. Todd and company decided on Buckcherry, which they said came from a drag queen acquaintance.
Moonshining vs. drag queening: Too close to call. Advantage -- tie.
MusicWhose music most reflects American ideals?
Worley scored No.-1 hits with the song "I Miss My Friend" in 2002 and "Awful, Beautiful Life" in 2005. But his biggest hit came in 2003. After visiting U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Uzbekistan, Worley was inspired to pen his uber-patriotic anthem "Have You Forgotten?"
Sample lyrics: "I hear people saying we don't need this war. But I say there's some things worth fighting for ... Have you forgotten when those towers fell? We had neighbors still inside going through a living hell. And you say we shouldn't worry about bin Laden. Have you forgotten?"
The song provoked controversy among those who pointed out that no one -- not the Bush administration, the CIA, James Bond or Scooby Doo -- had verified a link between Osama bin Laden and Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein. But why let the facts get in the way of a butt-kicking country song?
Buckcherry stirred up their own controversy with their hit song "Lit Up," from the band's self-titled debut album in 1999. Sample lyric: "I love the cocaine. I love the cocaine." The line prompted MTV to air an edited version of the video, yet the song still went to No. 1 on the mainstream-rock radio chart.
Some observers sniffed that the controversy seemed a bit too pat, that the band was courting publicity. After all, new rock band plus druggy single equals instant notoriety.
"We did want a single that would get noticed," Nelson told The New York Daily News.
War song vs. drug song: Advantage -- Worley.
Exercise of that great American liberty known as freedom of speech: Advantage -- Buckcherry.
NASCAR connection
Which artist has the greater connection to NASCAR and July 4's Coke Zero 400 race at Daytona International Speedway? After all, stock car racin' is as American as apple pie.
If Worley has any connection to NASCAR, it's not readily apparent on his Web site, in his press releases or on his new album, "Sounds Like Life," which was released last month.
Meanwhile, this spring Turner Network Television enlisted Buckcherry to remake "Highway Star," that 1972 Deep Purple song. TNT fashioned the song into a video that's featured in its current broadcasts of NASCAR races, including the Coke Zero 400.
Though the lads of Buckcherry get plenty of face time in the video, the clip's undeniable star is Carl Edward's spectacular, utterly car-crunching wreck at Talladega in April.
Boom indeed! Advantage -- Buckcherry.
Final tally in this poll: The most patriotic artist is ... Buckcherry. But the result ultimately may depend on whether one believes country or rock 'n' roll is the music that most bleeds red, white and blue.
If You Go
WHAT: "Red, White and Vroom" pre-Fourth of July celebration
WHO/WHEN: 3-10 p.m. July 3. Johnny Bulford concert, 5:30 p.m.; Jeff Gordon Q&A, 7:30 p.m.; Darryl Worley concert, 8:15 p.m.
WHERE: Bandshell, behind the Ocean Walk Shoppes, 250 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach.
ADMISSION: Free
INFORMATION: 386-671-8250.
If You
WHO: Buckcherry, Nonpoint and The Inervoid
WHEN: 7 p.m. July 3
WHERE: Coca-Cola Pavilion at Destination Daytona, 1637 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach
TICKETS: $25, available at the gate
INFORMATION: 386-671-7103
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