Star-spangled Spectacular

George M. Cohan had a deep-seated patriotism, as evidenced in such songs as “OVER THERE,” “YANKEE DOODLE BOY,” and “YOU'RE A GRAND OLD FLAG.” His greatest song, “OVER THERE,” was written in 1917 and was the most stirring song to come out of World War I. It was immensely popular and has become a classic among popular songs. For his patriotic songs, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Arranger John Cacavas (b. 1930) was chief arranger of the U.S. Army Band and twice won the Freedom Foundation's George Washington medal for his contributions to American music. He has taken a number of Cohan's greatest songs and put them into this “Spectacular” arrangement.