Music America: The Songs That Shaped Us: Night 1: June 4, 2026

Bruce Springsteen and Trombone Shorty. June 4, 2026. Photo: Matthew Orel

Music America: The Songs That Shaped Us is a two-part concert event aligned to the grand opening of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music on the campus of Monmouth University. Tonight was the first show, featuring Valerie June, Shemekia Copeland, Dropkick Murphys, Keb'Mo', Rosanne Cash, Trombone Shorty, Tony Trischka, Kenny Chesney, Brian Fallon, and Bruce Springsteen.

Bruce Springsteen and Ken Case in the Second Line. June 4, 2026. Photo: Matthew Orel

The event was essentially a 3-hour music education event, a "curated concert," as Bob Santelli -- the show's primary mover called it -- and surely it helps to have first rate stars to help give the lessons. The focus tonight could was essentially on what I'd describe as "roots" music, starting with indigenous music (a reprise of an event last night) and quickly moving on to gospel, folk, blues, country, jazz, bluegrass, and a bit of rock and roll. Artists were limited to between 1 and 3 songs, though some made multiple appearances during the evening. For the bulk of the 2nd set, The Disciples of Soul provided the backing.

If ever a show begged for a program, or a libretto, or at least something on the screen to help identify what was happening on the stage, this was that show. The arena seats just over 4,000 people, and my instinct says most of them were there primarily to see Bruce. How many know who Valerie June is, or know the first song she sang, or its significance? I was going to write it was "I Can't Feel at Home in this World Anymore," but it wasn't quite, I don't think.

That nit aside, there was plenty of solid material through the first 2 hours of the show. Keb'Mo' presenting Robert Johnson classics Walking Blues and Crossroad. Rosanne Cash honoring the legacy of her own step-family by starting her Carter Family set with a version of "Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow" -- the very first song that the Carter Family ever recorded at Bristol. Tony Trischka and his 7-woman bluegrass band taking on Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers and finally Flatt & Scruggs with a blistering rendition of Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Kenny Chesney performing the Hank Williams song "Mind Your Own Business." Brian Fallon performing two of Johnny Cash's most famous songs, while having a bit of fun with Johnny's stage mannerisms and even changing the lyrics of "Folsom Prison Blue" to say "I shot a man in Jersey." Trombone Shorty going for both solemnity and crowd participation in "St. James Infirmary," and getting it.

Everyone onstage! June 4, 2026. Photo: Matthew Orel

But of course, we were mostly there for Bruce, and when Santelli wound around to Woody Guthrie, and Bruce's guitar tech Kevin Buell was on the stage, we knew he was coming. From that point forward, Santelli could take a seat as Bruce took over.

First, Bruce brought on Rosanne Cash for a stunning duet of "Deportee," a song she has performed often. One could be excused for openly weeping during this song. I got dust in my eyes.

Bruce Springsteen and Kenny Chesney. June 4. 2026. Photo: Matthew Orel

Then it was Kenny Chesney's turn to come on, for "This Land is Your Land." That's when my phone crashed, taking with it what I just assumed was a wonderful video of "Deportee," too. No matter, the show was filmed, and Bruce was asking for audience participation by this point.

Dropkick Murphys came next for "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," a song of theirs that adapted the lyrics of Woody Guthrie. At this point, the roof came off the building. Then they went a bit off script to perform Bruce's "American Land." Finally, everyone came on stage as Trombone Shorty took lead on "When the Saints Go Marching In," complete with a Second Line around the perimeter of the floor.

Part 2 is tomorrow night.