MTV, VH1, and CMT are adding music to the July 4 celebrations by launching the first-ever “Music Independence Day.”
The 12-hour celebration will air from 6am to 6pm on MTV, VH1, and CMT. It will showcase artists across all three networks and playing a party playlist for genres including pop, country, hip-hop, indie and EDM according to CMT.
Common celebrities will be featured but lesser known artists who are looking to build a bigger fanbase will get a chance to be played as well.
“We have a history of introducing new artists, celebrating our audiences favorite established superstars and providing a form for all to reveal their influences and the stories behind their music. So we’re going to celebrate the music, let musicians get heard, promoted and loved,” President of Viacom Music Group Van Toffler said.
The Associated Press reports MTV will highlight artists such as Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. VH1 will show videos and performances from Alicia Keys, Pink and Maroon 5. A live concert in Philadelphia that night will feature the Roots and John Mayer. A playlist that includes the Avett Brothers, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan will be offered.
Emerging bands have the chance to set up their own online pages and compete to have their videos shown on TV, which will give them more exposure. Fans can watch and listen to the artist then decide if they want to purchase merchandise, buy their music or leave the band a “tip.”
“It is a celebration and we hope we can do it more often,” Toffler said.