Phillip Phillips Joins Line Up of DC's Fourth of July Concert

EWonline reports that AMERICAN IDOL winner Phillip Phillips is set to headline this year's July Fourth concert and celebration on the National Mall in Washington DC. The singer recently underwent kidney surgery but is reportedly recovering well. 

Phillips revealed the news in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. The 21-year-old spoke of the crippling pain he experienced throughout the 11th season of the FOX singing competition. Despite the fact that his right kidney was not functioning correctly, he did not require a kidney transplant. 

Said Phillips, “I’m getting better each day, so that’s a good thing. I’m just walking around, getting my strength back together. It was tough, you know, those first few days, but I’m getting to where I can pick the guitar back up and write a little bit.”

In the interview, the singer spoke of the severe stage fright he experienced prior to his first time on stage. “You know, I was so scared to death and, in the end, not knowing if I was going to puke before I went on stage,” he said. “It was just terrifying. I get terrified every time, but that was just huge.”

The special fourth of July celebration will broadcast live on PBS and NPR before a live audience of over 300,000 people on the lawn of the U.S Capitol Building. Phillips will be joined by Matthew Broderick, Josh Turner, Megan Hilty and composer John Williams. 

"It’s probably the biggest thing I’ve ever done besides American Idol,” said Phillips. “I’m just excited to get out there and do my first real live performance since everything that’s been going on.”

Photo courtesy of FOX