May 25, 2025 • 22 mins
What does Memorial Day mean to you? Join me, Kyle McMahon, live from the West Lawn of the US Capitol as I present a special edition of Pop Culture Weekly, commemorating the National Memorial Day Concert 2025. This episode is a heartfelt tribute to the courageous men and women who have dedicated their lives to securing our freedoms. Hear from the incredibly talented opera singer Angel Blue, as she shares her family's deep military connections and the emotional significance of performing the Star-Spangled Banner. The conversation extends to veteran and country singer-songwriter Scotty Hasting, offering a poignant perspective on the event's significance for those who have served.The episode continues with moving conversations, including a heartfelt discussion with actress Gretchen Mol portraying the real-life stories of military families, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and gratitude. Blair Underwood shares his personal connection to the military through his veteran father, highlighting the apolitical essence of the event while honoring veterans' sacrifices. Robert Patrick returns and we hear from the hosts themselves, Esai Morales and Gary Sinise. Tune in to this deeply moving episode available on PBS, Facebook, and YouTube, and join us in honoring our nation's heroes.
Check out our past National Memorial Day Concert specials here: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
--------------------------
Kyle McMahon's Death, Grief & Other Sh*t We Don't Discuss is now streaming. Listen here!
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Check out our past National Memorial Day Concert specials here: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
--------------------------
Kyle McMahon's Death, Grief & Other Sh*t We Don't Discuss is now streaming. Listen here!
--------------------------
Get all the Pop Culture Weekly podcast info you could want including extra content, uncut interviews, photos, videos & transcripts at Podcast.PopCultureWeekly.com
Watch celebrity interviews at Pop Culture Weekly's YouTube!
Read the latest at PopCultureWeekly.com
Get Social with Kyle on:
Kyle McMahon Facebook
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Pop Culture Weekly YouTube
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
In this episode of Pop Culture Weekly, I am live
once again from the West Lawn of the US Capitol
and Washington, d C. For National Memorial Day Concert twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Let's go Welcome to pop Culture Weekly with Kyle McMahon
from iHeartRadio your pop culture news, views, reviews, and celebrity
interviews on all the movies, TV, music, and pop culture
u CRABE Weekly. Here's Kyle McMahon.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Hello, and welcome to pop Culture Weekly with Kyle McMahon.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I have course from Kyle McMahon.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
I thank you once again for joining me for another
episode of Pop Culture Weekly. I am here on the
West Lawn of the US Capitol in Washington, d C.
For PBS's National Memorial Day Concert. This is I believe
my ninth or tenth show doing you know, year doing this,
(00:55):
and they, the amazing people at Capital Concerts always put
on a credible production that truly honors our brave men
and women that you know, gave the ultimate sacrifice for
the freedoms that we enjoy every day. You know, it
simply comes down to that it's told in a beautiful way,
(01:16):
you know, with real stories from real people. And this
show is all about honoring those people. The lineup for
the show is amazing as always, and I'll be talking
with the performers, including Gary Sinise once again, Assi Morales,
hot off of Mission Impossible, Final Reckoning, country star Scottie Hasting,
(01:40):
opera singer Angel Blue, actress Gretchen mull, the incomparable Blair Underwood,
and mister Robert Patrick returns to Pop Culture Weekly once again.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
And let's get right into it.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
PBS's National Memorial Day Concert airs live on PBS at
eight pm Eastern Time, May twenty fifth. It also airs
live on YouTube and Facebook, and then for two weeks
following you can watch it on demand or you know,
on demand.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
On YouTube or Facebook or whatever.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
So let's start off with Angel Blue.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
So I'm here with Angel Blue for National Memorial Day Concert.
Speaker 5 (02:27):
You.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I just heard you in rehears where you were absolutely amazing.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Thank you. Yeah, So what does this moment mean for you?
You know, you're here in Washington, d C.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
For Memorial Day?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
What is that like for you?
Speaker 6 (02:38):
It's very special to me. I'm I'm a really proud American.
I'm thankful to be American, and I've had a lot
of family members serve in the military. And at present,
my brother is serving in the United States Army. So
for me, this is a very important moment for not
just me and for our country, but also for my family,
the Blue family. So I'm thankful very blue us to
(03:00):
be here.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
And is that as you're performing, which again absolutely incredible,
does that like seep in as you're or are you
able to like kind of separate it and.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Perform?
Speaker 6 (03:11):
No, it's not. I don't feel that it's a performance.
It's for me. It's really every word of the star
Spangel banner really does mean something to me. When I
was actually when I was in middle school, one of
our assignments was to look up each word and understand
what it meant. So when I'm saying things like perilous,
I know, I know what perilous means. I know what
it means to Don's early life. That's you know, I
(03:33):
understand what these these phrases mean. And the fact that
my family has been so involved in the military brings
all of it to life to me. So I would
say it's less of a performance and it really is
an anthem. It really is something that is deeply felt
in my heart.
Speaker 7 (03:48):
And so you all of that, does you know, all
of the sacrifice from your family and all of the
anilys you know, both today and over generations, is coming
through for you through every single work.
Speaker 6 (04:01):
Yes, absolutely, I thank them for their sacrifice and what
they've done for for our freedoms and the fact that
we can live in such a wonderful place and enjoy life, liberty,
the pursuit of happiness. We get to do that because
of what they've done for us.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Yeah, what is next for you?
Speaker 4 (04:19):
You're you're doing all kinds of stuff all the time.
What's next?
Speaker 6 (04:23):
Well, next, Actually, I'll be still in the in the Washington,
DC area, and that not too far In Baltimore, I'm
singing Aida and i'd one of my favorite opera roles
to sing with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and that's going
to be I think it's coming up June thirteen and fifteen,
So hope to see you there.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Shell.
Speaker 6 (04:40):
What is it called the plug?
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Oh blood for the opera?
Speaker 4 (04:45):
And you you know you are.
Speaker 7 (04:48):
I think it's interesting because in opera you don't often
this sounds horrible, but like you're.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
Young and you're like cool, you know what I mean.
Speaker 7 (04:56):
So it's like almost like you're like making it cool
for future gen and that sort of thing.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Do you feel that responsibility.
Speaker 6 (05:03):
Well, first, thank you for saying that I'm young, because
I had a big birthday a few years ago and
I definitely feel the not youngness in my body, you know,
like the aches and pains of things that happened. So
thank you for saying I'm young. And also thank you
for saying that I'm cool. I think opera is cool.
I think music is cool, and it's it definitely. As
Aristotle said, it's the universal language of mankind. So it
(05:23):
really does touch people. So hopefully the youngness, the coolness
will allow other people who are generations behind us and
people today will feel welcomed and invited to the opera,
you know. I mean, it's a form of expression. It's
a great form of expression, just like what we're doing
here today.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Yeah, awesome, Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Thank you, Kyle, it was so great meeting it nice
to teach you to Thank you.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Angel Blue such an incredibly talented singer, and like I
said in the interview, she's young and she's cool.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
She's just great.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Next up, veteran and country singer songwriter Scotty Hasting. He
has an incredible story and here he is to tell it.
Scotty Hasting.
Speaker 7 (06:11):
All right, so we are here at the West Lawn
of the US Capitol for National Memorial Day Concert.
Speaker 8 (06:17):
What does this mean for you? You're you're you know,
a veteran, thank you for your service?
Speaker 3 (06:23):
How is that?
Speaker 4 (06:24):
How is that all playing out in your head right now?
Speaker 5 (06:26):
Ah?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
My head is crazy right now.
Speaker 9 (06:28):
I mean I never thought this should be a thing,
but uh, but yeah, I mean, this is this means everything.
I mean as a veteran, as someone who has lost
some of the greatest people that I've ever known, you know,
being able to pay tribute to them and all of
the heroes before.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
I mean, it's it's it's everything, absolutely.
Speaker 8 (06:46):
And the song you're singing is particularly poignant, you know,
as you're performing this, How how is that it's got
to be.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
So hard for you to be playing that song?
Speaker 9 (06:59):
Yeah, man, it's it's it's if you're trying not to
think about it in the moment, or else you get
caught up and you start crying, it's you know, it's
it's a heavy song, and it's and it's something that
I've witnessed firsthand. And uh, and it's it's hard to
sing about, but it's something that I feel like needs
to be hurt.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (07:15):
Absolutely, And is you know, I feel like and I
hope I'm not adding to your stress, but I feel like,
you know, you have a voice where you.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Are honoring you know, your brothers and sisters both in.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Arms and those that we have lost, and you're using
your voice to to honor them.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (07:36):
Yeah, yeah, you know, I'm trying. You know, really, all
I want to do from the very beginning of starting
music and getting into music and getting signed and all
that was I just I want to help somebody with
my music and with my story, and hopefully this is
a platform where I can hopefully someone hears my story
or hears the song that I sing and it helps
them a little bit in some way, shape or form.
Speaker 8 (07:58):
And I think they will in your story is absolutely incredible.
We'll be talking about it on the show.
Speaker 7 (08:04):
And but I got to ask you, you know, you've
been against the od the odds have been against you
so many times.
Speaker 9 (08:12):
And.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Here you are and you're you know, you're booting them all.
Speaker 10 (08:16):
What what?
Speaker 1 (08:18):
How?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
How did that happen for you?
Speaker 9 (08:20):
Do you know? I think I'm just too hard headed. No, no,
you know, it was just I felt like I needed
to do something that meant something. You know, I'm on
borrowed time, I was, I was shot a bunch of times.
I'm grateful to just be able to be breathing every day,
let alone be able to do I mean, things that
I never thought dream possible, and our dreams for so
(08:40):
many other people in and you know, I just try
to take every moment in and try to do the
good that I can with.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
All of the bad. What is your motto that has
gotten you through?
Speaker 9 (08:52):
Oh, just we're don't forget to do good basically. I mean,
that's that's all it's ever been about, is just trying
to help somebody. Awesome, thank you saying guys, I really
appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
I really appreciate you very much.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
Thank you, and thank you for your service.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Thank you, Scotty Hasty, Thank you sir for your service
and for using your voice.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
As you said, for good. I love that so much.
All right, Next up, we have Gretchen Mall.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Everybody has been telling me, has been talking about her
role in Boardwalk Empire, and I had watched the first
episode and then through no fault of the show.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
I thought the show was amazing. I never watched another episode.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
So since so many people you know on set have
been talking about how amazing she is in it and
how amazing the show is, I'm bumping it up on
my watch list to watch it.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
So all right, here she is Gretchen Mall.
Speaker 7 (09:53):
So I am here with Gretchen Mall at the West
Lawn of the US Capitol for National Memorial Bay Concert.
I just watched you your rehearsal in one tape which
you're absolutely killed. How you know this is a real story,
such a powerful story.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
How so are you happen to do that? How are you?
It's a channel of that right? So beautifully?
Speaker 4 (10:20):
Thank you.
Speaker 10 (10:20):
I would actually say the fact that it is real
story of a real family, and I loved it. This
is it feels like a huge responsibility, but it also
allows you to sort of take yourself out of it
and any feeling of the result, which is, you know,
it's not without that. It's about honoring the family and
(10:44):
honoring anyone who's looked or sacrificed their life for this
country in service, you know, And so just keeping your
thoughts on that. The words are written so beautifully. I
think they were coming from interview with Christa herself. So
it feels very this and then and then that's easier,
(11:08):
that's easier to tap into that. That then the sometimes
things that are hard, you.
Speaker 11 (11:14):
Know, right, And what does memorial I'm so sorry that
son is like, oh no, here's some book by does
Memorial Day.
Speaker 10 (11:26):
Memorial Day to me is a day of remembrance families,
people that have served our country and sacrificed for our
country and sacrificed their lives. And I you know, I
lived in New York City for many years as an adult,
but as a child, some of my favorite memories were
(11:46):
those parades and then ending up in the cemetery and
the sort of good, the feeling of heaviness. I thought
it really touched me as a child, and and I
think it's important. I have two children myself, and I
think it's so important as part of the day, as
(12:07):
part of the weekend to go to that. It's like
a service, It's a church service, feels like of the
community really saying thank.
Speaker 7 (12:17):
You, I love.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
And finally, you are in a position where you are
able to cheer.
Speaker 7 (12:25):
Are the types of projects that you do and you've
made a curcious decision for my understanding, to choose ones
that are closer to your.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Home a of New York City. Why has that been
important for you?
Speaker 10 (12:38):
Truth is, well, when my kids were younger, I wanted
to stay close by because you don't get.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
The time back.
Speaker 10 (12:46):
Really, that's what it is, and that's kind of what
days like this remind us, is that really it's the people,
your family, the people that are closest to you that matters.
I always thought at the end, at the end of
the day or the end of your life, you're not
going to look back and say, should have taken that job,
But it's really about I should have taken that time
(13:06):
and spent more time, more real time with people that
I love lot less. So I had some feeling about that,
but I love work to so it's it's I said that,
but I I continue. You know, nobody where I live
right now. I still have to travel for work, and
my kids are now teenagers and jlue she of course.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
And thank you for speaking with Arkay.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Gretchen Mo. She's so sweet.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
I don't know if you heard, but the sun was
like blaring in my eyes and I couldn't see, so
I kept having to close my eyes and she's like,
do you want to switch with me?
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Like out?
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Just such a sweet woman and an incredible actress, and
she nailed in rehearsals one take. She did her entire
touching performance in one tape, just so so incredible. All right,
we're gonna take a quick break. When we come back,
I speak with Blair Underwood, Asi Morales, and Gary Sinise.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
I'll see you in sixty all right.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Welcome back to Pop Culture Weekly. Thank you for supporting
our sponsors that help me bring this show to you
each and every week. We are here live on the
West Lawn of the US Capitol for National Memorial Day
Concert twenty twenty five, airing live on PBS Sunday, May
twenty fifth. Next up, incredible actor, awesome guy if you want,
(14:43):
and only Blair Underwood.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
All right, I am here with the one and only
Blair Underwood.
Speaker 7 (14:52):
We are at the West Lawn of the US Capitol
for National Memorial Day Concert.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
What does this mean for you?
Speaker 5 (14:59):
We have fen the stand for while I was uh
raising army brat when Na has retired army colonel, so
you know the that's it's military and h you know
the service and honor and duty to country. It's always
been h critical and important in our lives. You know,
(15:19):
we grow up a military basis and all that. So
you know, to me, my dad is ninety three years
old today, still kicking, still going strong, and he is
an armed Vietnam VIT. So it's it's not only honoring him,
but it's absolutely honoring him, that's my access point. But
it's honoring all those men in with it for many
different wars and engagements throughout the years. So it's just
I think it's something that's very important to do to
(15:42):
to remember them and honor them and salute them. And
what he'll I'm sure be watching. Yeah, that's got to
be a moment for you, right, Yeah, now know what no,
it is it is because it's it's because of him. Yeah,
you know, so, so I hope he watches, and I
know it hits deeply with him. You know, it's a
very profound remember it because you know, if you understand
(16:05):
he he like a lot of that's didn't talk much
about the Vietnam but he asked no specific question about it.
He'll answer it, but he doesn't like to dwell on it.
And still to this day it does like to spend
much time thinking about it or sharing those stories, but
it cuts the Yeah, while your performance is amazing, the
story you're telling is a true story, and it's you know,
it's so powerful. It's just one of the you know,
(16:29):
millions of stories that are out there that may never
be told. That's exactly right, that's you know, these veterans
are unsung heroes. And there's say a lot of civilians.
It's hard to really understand and appreciate the depth of
sacrifice that so many of our men and women throughout
the years and to this day take beyond the politics.
What I love about this is it's it's a political
(16:50):
a lot of the political affiliation. It's about service to
this country. Yeah, and honoring, honoring those those men and women. Exactly.
Speaker 7 (16:58):
I can't let you go without asking you. You have
a film coming out directed by Rizza. Oh yeah, and
you've directed a film viral, viral, Yes, So tell me
about those two.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Well, viral.
Speaker 5 (17:10):
We'll see it's in can right now, so we'll see
it's an independent film, so we can see.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
Who buys it.
Speaker 5 (17:14):
And Rizza's film, who wrote and directed, is called One
Spoon of Chocolate and that got into the New York
Tribeca Tribeca Film Festival.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
Yeah. Yeah, yes, we'll be there on two weeks in
June eighth and nine. Okay, yeah, so we're excited about that.
Speaker 7 (17:27):
Awesome, and then we're just waiting on word for for
viral to get picked up where we can watch ask
exactly right, Well I knew i'd tell you, Yeah, you'll
come to me first.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
Yeah, man, thank you, brother, I appreciate it. Thanks v
of course, Claire Underwood love him.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
I can't wait to see his two upcoming films and
maybe we'll talk to him about those when they come
out as well. Next up, and finally, the hosts of
National Memorial Day Concert this year as Simon Morales, hot
off of Mission Impossible, Final Reckoning, and Gary Sinise. So
(18:07):
let's just get right into that. Aside Morales and Gary Sinise,
first of all, thank.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
You both once again West Lawn and the US Capitol
for National Memorial Day Concert.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
What does this mean to you?
Speaker 12 (18:24):
It means that it's my humble way to bring the
attention that I get and focus it on real heroes.
We make believe heroes. These folks have given it all,
so it's it's a way for me in the least
I could do to serve the interests of our country
and acknowledge the sacrifices of our heroes.
Speaker 3 (18:45):
And how about for you, Gary.
Speaker 13 (18:48):
We've talked before about how Memorial Weekend can be kind
of the ballgame and the barbecue and the backyard pool
and the day off and all of that, but really
this weekend is one of our most important holidays that
our nation cherishes because of the people that have sacrificed
(19:08):
over the many years to keep us free. And that's
what this Memorial Weekend is all about. And that's what's
so special about this concert is that it highlights those
sacrifices and brings into the consciousness of our fellow citizens
that there are a lot of people that have given
our lives in service to our country and we should
never forget them.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
And you have a special.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
There's been a special music that has come into your
life that is beautiful.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Are you able to speak to that a little bit? Sure?
Speaker 13 (19:43):
You're talking about my son's music, and this year at
the concert he passed away, unfortunately in twenty twenty four,
and he was just a really tremendous composer and songwriter
and he wrote beautiful orchestral music, and they're going to
use one of his compositions during.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
The concert this year.
Speaker 13 (20:05):
So you know, when the National Symphony or Orchestra said
they wanted to do it, I mean, it's just verified
for me, it just validated how how good the music is.
It's really really good music, and so I'm just honored,
and I know my son is just smiling away at
the fact that they're going to play his piece tonight.
Speaker 7 (20:23):
I love I love that, and it's a beautiful kind
of you know, the universe and God whatever, it's all
coming together for such a beautiful thing, for something that
you're so passionate about as well.
Speaker 13 (20:35):
Yeah, yeah, it's amazing. I mean his music is going
to be playing up there when y are up there talking,
and his music is going to be backing us up
as we talk.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
So it's like Mac is right there on stage.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
I heard it. It's beautiful and it's going to be
hard to keep a dry eye. Thank you both. I
really appreciate it. Thank you, sir a.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Thanks good to see you as well.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
God bless you. Simur Alis and Garysonees.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
I am so moved by Gary's openness and authenticness and
talking about his son Mac that loss, and how you
know he's taking something from it, from that awful horribleness
and turning it into something beautiful by you know, continuing
(21:31):
to put his music out there.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
And you know now it's being played by the National Symphony.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Orchestra in a piece that will be narrated by his
father at National Memorial Day concerts.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
Just unbelievable. All right, that is our show for this episode.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
As always, the Capitol Concert crew, the production team, publicists, everybody,
there is just such a top notch group that just
puts on the National Memorial Day Concert is just I
really hope that you watch it. It is powerful, it's beautiful,
(22:12):
it's touching, and it's an amazing tribute to those brave
men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us,
for you, for me, for our rights, for our country.
National Memorial Day Concert airs live Sunday, May twenty fifth
at eight pm on PBS, Facebook, and YouTube, and will
(22:36):
be on demand the next two weeks after all right,
that's it for this episode until next week.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
I love you, We thank you for listening to pop
Culture Weekly.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
Here all the latest at popcultureweekly dot com.
In this episode of Pop Culture Weekly, I am live
once again from the West Lawn of the US Capitol
and Washington, d C. For National Memorial Day Concert twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Let's go Welcome to pop Culture Weekly with Kyle McMahon
from iHeartRadio your pop culture news, views, reviews, and celebrity
interviews on all the movies, TV, music, and pop culture
u CRABE Weekly. Here's Kyle McMahon.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Hello, and welcome to pop Culture Weekly with Kyle McMahon.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I have course from Kyle McMahon.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
I thank you once again for joining me for another
episode of Pop Culture Weekly. I am here on the
West Lawn of the US Capitol in Washington, d C.
For PBS's National Memorial Day Concert. This is I believe
my ninth or tenth show doing you know, year doing this,
(00:55):
and they, the amazing people at Capital Concerts always put
on a credible production that truly honors our brave men
and women that you know, gave the ultimate sacrifice for
the freedoms that we enjoy every day. You know, it
simply comes down to that it's told in a beautiful way,
(01:16):
you know, with real stories from real people. And this
show is all about honoring those people. The lineup for
the show is amazing as always, and I'll be talking
with the performers, including Gary Sinise once again, Assi Morales,
hot off of Mission Impossible, Final Reckoning, country star Scottie Hasting,
(01:40):
opera singer Angel Blue, actress Gretchen mull, the incomparable Blair Underwood,
and mister Robert Patrick returns to Pop Culture Weekly once again.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
And let's get right into it.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
PBS's National Memorial Day Concert airs live on PBS at
eight pm Eastern Time, May twenty fifth. It also airs
live on YouTube and Facebook, and then for two weeks
following you can watch it on demand or you know,
on demand.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
On YouTube or Facebook or whatever.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
So let's start off with Angel Blue.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
So I'm here with Angel Blue for National Memorial Day Concert.
Speaker 5 (02:27):
You.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I just heard you in rehears where you were absolutely amazing.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Thank you. Yeah, So what does this moment mean for you?
You know, you're here in Washington, d C.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
For Memorial Day?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
What is that like for you?
Speaker 6 (02:38):
It's very special to me. I'm I'm a really proud American.
I'm thankful to be American, and I've had a lot
of family members serve in the military. And at present,
my brother is serving in the United States Army. So
for me, this is a very important moment for not
just me and for our country, but also for my family,
the Blue family. So I'm thankful very blue us to
(03:00):
be here.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
And is that as you're performing, which again absolutely incredible,
does that like seep in as you're or are you
able to like kind of separate it and.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Perform?
Speaker 6 (03:11):
No, it's not. I don't feel that it's a performance.
It's for me. It's really every word of the star
Spangel banner really does mean something to me. When I
was actually when I was in middle school, one of
our assignments was to look up each word and understand
what it meant. So when I'm saying things like perilous,
I know, I know what perilous means. I know what
it means to Don's early life. That's you know, I
(03:33):
understand what these these phrases mean. And the fact that
my family has been so involved in the military brings
all of it to life to me. So I would
say it's less of a performance and it really is
an anthem. It really is something that is deeply felt
in my heart.
Speaker 7 (03:48):
And so you all of that, does you know, all
of the sacrifice from your family and all of the
anilys you know, both today and over generations, is coming
through for you through every single work.
Speaker 6 (04:01):
Yes, absolutely, I thank them for their sacrifice and what
they've done for for our freedoms and the fact that
we can live in such a wonderful place and enjoy life, liberty,
the pursuit of happiness. We get to do that because
of what they've done for us.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Yeah, what is next for you?
Speaker 4 (04:19):
You're you're doing all kinds of stuff all the time.
What's next?
Speaker 6 (04:23):
Well, next, Actually, I'll be still in the in the Washington,
DC area, and that not too far In Baltimore, I'm
singing Aida and i'd one of my favorite opera roles
to sing with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and that's going
to be I think it's coming up June thirteen and fifteen,
So hope to see you there.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Shell.
Speaker 6 (04:40):
What is it called the plug?
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Oh blood for the opera?
Speaker 4 (04:45):
And you you know you are.
Speaker 7 (04:48):
I think it's interesting because in opera you don't often
this sounds horrible, but like you're.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
Young and you're like cool, you know what I mean.
Speaker 7 (04:56):
So it's like almost like you're like making it cool
for future gen and that sort of thing.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Do you feel that responsibility.
Speaker 6 (05:03):
Well, first, thank you for saying that I'm young, because
I had a big birthday a few years ago and
I definitely feel the not youngness in my body, you know,
like the aches and pains of things that happened. So
thank you for saying I'm young. And also thank you
for saying that I'm cool. I think opera is cool.
I think music is cool, and it's it definitely. As
Aristotle said, it's the universal language of mankind. So it
(05:23):
really does touch people. So hopefully the youngness, the coolness
will allow other people who are generations behind us and
people today will feel welcomed and invited to the opera,
you know. I mean, it's a form of expression. It's
a great form of expression, just like what we're doing
here today.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Yeah, awesome, Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Thank you, Kyle, it was so great meeting it nice
to teach you to Thank you.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Angel Blue such an incredibly talented singer, and like I
said in the interview, she's young and she's cool.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
She's just great.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Next up, veteran and country singer songwriter Scotty Hasting. He
has an incredible story and here he is to tell it.
Scotty Hasting.
Speaker 7 (06:11):
All right, so we are here at the West Lawn
of the US Capitol for National Memorial Day Concert.
Speaker 8 (06:17):
What does this mean for you? You're you're you know,
a veteran, thank you for your service?
Speaker 3 (06:23):
How is that?
Speaker 4 (06:24):
How is that all playing out in your head right now?
Speaker 5 (06:26):
Ah?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
My head is crazy right now.
Speaker 9 (06:28):
I mean I never thought this should be a thing,
but uh, but yeah, I mean, this is this means everything.
I mean as a veteran, as someone who has lost
some of the greatest people that I've ever known, you know,
being able to pay tribute to them and all of
the heroes before.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
I mean, it's it's it's everything, absolutely.
Speaker 8 (06:46):
And the song you're singing is particularly poignant, you know,
as you're performing this, How how is that it's got
to be.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
So hard for you to be playing that song?
Speaker 9 (06:59):
Yeah, man, it's it's it's if you're trying not to
think about it in the moment, or else you get
caught up and you start crying, it's you know, it's
it's a heavy song, and it's and it's something that
I've witnessed firsthand. And uh, and it's it's hard to
sing about, but it's something that I feel like needs
to be hurt.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (07:15):
Absolutely, And is you know, I feel like and I
hope I'm not adding to your stress, but I feel like,
you know, you have a voice where you.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Are honoring you know, your brothers and sisters both in.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Arms and those that we have lost, and you're using
your voice to to honor them.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (07:36):
Yeah, yeah, you know, I'm trying. You know, really, all
I want to do from the very beginning of starting
music and getting into music and getting signed and all
that was I just I want to help somebody with
my music and with my story, and hopefully this is
a platform where I can hopefully someone hears my story
or hears the song that I sing and it helps
them a little bit in some way, shape or form.
Speaker 8 (07:58):
And I think they will in your story is absolutely incredible.
We'll be talking about it on the show.
Speaker 7 (08:04):
And but I got to ask you, you know, you've
been against the od the odds have been against you
so many times.
Speaker 9 (08:12):
And.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Here you are and you're you know, you're booting them all.
Speaker 10 (08:16):
What what?
Speaker 1 (08:18):
How?
Speaker 3 (08:18):
How did that happen for you?
Speaker 9 (08:20):
Do you know? I think I'm just too hard headed. No, no,
you know, it was just I felt like I needed
to do something that meant something. You know, I'm on
borrowed time, I was, I was shot a bunch of times.
I'm grateful to just be able to be breathing every day,
let alone be able to do I mean, things that
I never thought dream possible, and our dreams for so
(08:40):
many other people in and you know, I just try
to take every moment in and try to do the
good that I can with.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
All of the bad. What is your motto that has
gotten you through?
Speaker 9 (08:52):
Oh, just we're don't forget to do good basically. I mean,
that's that's all it's ever been about, is just trying
to help somebody. Awesome, thank you saying guys, I really
appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
I really appreciate you very much.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
Thank you, and thank you for your service.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Thank you, Scotty Hasty, Thank you sir for your service
and for using your voice.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
As you said, for good. I love that so much.
All right, Next up, we have Gretchen Mall.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Everybody has been telling me, has been talking about her
role in Boardwalk Empire, and I had watched the first
episode and then through no fault of the show.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
I thought the show was amazing. I never watched another episode.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
So since so many people you know on set have
been talking about how amazing she is in it and
how amazing the show is, I'm bumping it up on
my watch list to watch it.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
So all right, here she is Gretchen Mall.
Speaker 7 (09:53):
So I am here with Gretchen Mall at the West
Lawn of the US Capitol for National Memorial Bay Concert.
I just watched you your rehearsal in one tape which
you're absolutely killed. How you know this is a real story,
such a powerful story.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
How so are you happen to do that? How are you?
It's a channel of that right? So beautifully?
Speaker 4 (10:20):
Thank you.
Speaker 10 (10:20):
I would actually say the fact that it is real
story of a real family, and I loved it. This
is it feels like a huge responsibility, but it also
allows you to sort of take yourself out of it
and any feeling of the result, which is, you know,
it's not without that. It's about honoring the family and
(10:44):
honoring anyone who's looked or sacrificed their life for this
country in service, you know, And so just keeping your
thoughts on that. The words are written so beautifully. I
think they were coming from interview with Christa herself. So
it feels very this and then and then that's easier,
(11:08):
that's easier to tap into that. That then the sometimes
things that are hard, you.
Speaker 11 (11:14):
Know, right, And what does memorial I'm so sorry that
son is like, oh no, here's some book by does
Memorial Day.
Speaker 10 (11:26):
Memorial Day to me is a day of remembrance families,
people that have served our country and sacrificed for our
country and sacrificed their lives. And I you know, I
lived in New York City for many years as an adult,
but as a child, some of my favorite memories were
(11:46):
those parades and then ending up in the cemetery and
the sort of good, the feeling of heaviness. I thought
it really touched me as a child, and and I
think it's important. I have two children myself, and I
think it's so important as part of the day, as
(12:07):
part of the weekend to go to that. It's like
a service, It's a church service, feels like of the
community really saying thank.
Speaker 7 (12:17):
You, I love.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
And finally, you are in a position where you are
able to cheer.
Speaker 7 (12:25):
Are the types of projects that you do and you've
made a curcious decision for my understanding, to choose ones
that are closer to your.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Home a of New York City. Why has that been
important for you?
Speaker 10 (12:38):
Truth is, well, when my kids were younger, I wanted
to stay close by because you don't get.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
The time back.
Speaker 10 (12:46):
Really, that's what it is, and that's kind of what
days like this remind us, is that really it's the people,
your family, the people that are closest to you that matters.
I always thought at the end, at the end of
the day or the end of your life, you're not
going to look back and say, should have taken that job,
But it's really about I should have taken that time
(13:06):
and spent more time, more real time with people that
I love lot less. So I had some feeling about that,
but I love work to so it's it's I said that,
but I I continue. You know, nobody where I live
right now. I still have to travel for work, and
my kids are now teenagers and jlue she of course.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
And thank you for speaking with Arkay.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Gretchen Mo. She's so sweet.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
I don't know if you heard, but the sun was
like blaring in my eyes and I couldn't see, so
I kept having to close my eyes and she's like,
do you want to switch with me?
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Like out?
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Just such a sweet woman and an incredible actress, and
she nailed in rehearsals one take. She did her entire
touching performance in one tape, just so so incredible. All right,
we're gonna take a quick break. When we come back,
I speak with Blair Underwood, Asi Morales, and Gary Sinise.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
I'll see you in sixty all right.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Welcome back to Pop Culture Weekly. Thank you for supporting
our sponsors that help me bring this show to you
each and every week. We are here live on the
West Lawn of the US Capitol for National Memorial Day
Concert twenty twenty five, airing live on PBS Sunday, May
twenty fifth. Next up, incredible actor, awesome guy if you want,
(14:43):
and only Blair Underwood.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
All right, I am here with the one and only
Blair Underwood.
Speaker 7 (14:52):
We are at the West Lawn of the US Capitol
for National Memorial Day Concert.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
What does this mean for you?
Speaker 5 (14:59):
We have fen the stand for while I was uh
raising army brat when Na has retired army colonel, so
you know the that's it's military and h you know
the service and honor and duty to country. It's always
been h critical and important in our lives. You know,
(15:19):
we grow up a military basis and all that. So
you know, to me, my dad is ninety three years
old today, still kicking, still going strong, and he is
an armed Vietnam VIT. So it's it's not only honoring him,
but it's absolutely honoring him, that's my access point. But
it's honoring all those men in with it for many
different wars and engagements throughout the years. So it's just
I think it's something that's very important to do to
(15:42):
to remember them and honor them and salute them. And
what he'll I'm sure be watching. Yeah, that's got to
be a moment for you, right, Yeah, now know what no,
it is it is because it's it's because of him. Yeah,
you know, so, so I hope he watches, and I
know it hits deeply with him. You know, it's a
very profound remember it because you know, if you understand
(16:05):
he he like a lot of that's didn't talk much
about the Vietnam but he asked no specific question about it.
He'll answer it, but he doesn't like to dwell on it.
And still to this day it does like to spend
much time thinking about it or sharing those stories, but
it cuts the Yeah, while your performance is amazing, the
story you're telling is a true story, and it's you know,
it's so powerful. It's just one of the you know,
(16:29):
millions of stories that are out there that may never
be told. That's exactly right, that's you know, these veterans
are unsung heroes. And there's say a lot of civilians.
It's hard to really understand and appreciate the depth of
sacrifice that so many of our men and women throughout
the years and to this day take beyond the politics.
What I love about this is it's it's a political
(16:50):
a lot of the political affiliation. It's about service to
this country. Yeah, and honoring, honoring those those men and women. Exactly.
Speaker 7 (16:58):
I can't let you go without asking you. You have
a film coming out directed by Rizza. Oh yeah, and
you've directed a film viral, viral, Yes, So tell me
about those two.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Well, viral.
Speaker 5 (17:10):
We'll see it's in can right now, so we'll see
it's an independent film, so we can see.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
Who buys it.
Speaker 5 (17:14):
And Rizza's film, who wrote and directed, is called One
Spoon of Chocolate and that got into the New York
Tribeca Tribeca Film Festival.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
Yeah. Yeah, yes, we'll be there on two weeks in
June eighth and nine. Okay, yeah, so we're excited about that.
Speaker 7 (17:27):
Awesome, and then we're just waiting on word for for
viral to get picked up where we can watch ask
exactly right, Well I knew i'd tell you, Yeah, you'll
come to me first.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
Yeah, man, thank you, brother, I appreciate it. Thanks v
of course, Claire Underwood love him.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
I can't wait to see his two upcoming films and
maybe we'll talk to him about those when they come
out as well. Next up, and finally, the hosts of
National Memorial Day Concert this year as Simon Morales, hot
off of Mission Impossible, Final Reckoning, and Gary Sinise. So
(18:07):
let's just get right into that. Aside Morales and Gary Sinise,
first of all, thank.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
You both once again West Lawn and the US Capitol
for National Memorial Day Concert.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
What does this mean to you?
Speaker 12 (18:24):
It means that it's my humble way to bring the
attention that I get and focus it on real heroes.
We make believe heroes. These folks have given it all,
so it's it's a way for me in the least
I could do to serve the interests of our country
and acknowledge the sacrifices of our heroes.
Speaker 3 (18:45):
And how about for you, Gary.
Speaker 13 (18:48):
We've talked before about how Memorial Weekend can be kind
of the ballgame and the barbecue and the backyard pool
and the day off and all of that, but really
this weekend is one of our most important holidays that
our nation cherishes because of the people that have sacrificed
(19:08):
over the many years to keep us free. And that's
what this Memorial Weekend is all about. And that's what's
so special about this concert is that it highlights those
sacrifices and brings into the consciousness of our fellow citizens
that there are a lot of people that have given
our lives in service to our country and we should
never forget them.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
And you have a special.
Speaker 4 (19:34):
There's been a special music that has come into your
life that is beautiful.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Are you able to speak to that a little bit? Sure?
Speaker 13 (19:43):
You're talking about my son's music, and this year at
the concert he passed away, unfortunately in twenty twenty four,
and he was just a really tremendous composer and songwriter
and he wrote beautiful orchestral music, and they're going to
use one of his compositions during.
Speaker 3 (20:04):
The concert this year.
Speaker 13 (20:05):
So you know, when the National Symphony or Orchestra said
they wanted to do it, I mean, it's just verified
for me, it just validated how how good the music is.
It's really really good music, and so I'm just honored,
and I know my son is just smiling away at
the fact that they're going to play his piece tonight.
Speaker 7 (20:23):
I love I love that, and it's a beautiful kind
of you know, the universe and God whatever, it's all
coming together for such a beautiful thing, for something that
you're so passionate about as well.
Speaker 13 (20:35):
Yeah, yeah, it's amazing. I mean his music is going
to be playing up there when y are up there talking,
and his music is going to be backing us up
as we talk.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
So it's like Mac is right there on stage.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
I heard it. It's beautiful and it's going to be
hard to keep a dry eye. Thank you both. I
really appreciate it. Thank you, sir a.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Thanks good to see you as well.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
God bless you. Simur Alis and Garysonees.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
I am so moved by Gary's openness and authenticness and
talking about his son Mac that loss, and how you
know he's taking something from it, from that awful horribleness
and turning it into something beautiful by you know, continuing
(21:31):
to put his music out there.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
And you know now it's being played by the National Symphony.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Orchestra in a piece that will be narrated by his
father at National Memorial Day concerts.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
Just unbelievable. All right, that is our show for this episode.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
As always, the Capitol Concert crew, the production team, publicists, everybody,
there is just such a top notch group that just
puts on the National Memorial Day Concert is just I
really hope that you watch it. It is powerful, it's beautiful,
(22:12):
it's touching, and it's an amazing tribute to those brave
men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us,
for you, for me, for our rights, for our country.
National Memorial Day Concert airs live Sunday, May twenty fifth
at eight pm on PBS, Facebook, and YouTube, and will
(22:36):
be on demand the next two weeks after all right,
that's it for this episode until next week.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
I love you, We thank you for listening to pop
Culture Weekly.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
Here all the latest at popcultureweekly dot com.
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