National Memorial Day Concert 2026 - Noah Wyle, Mickey Guyton & more!

0:00 In this episode of pop Culture Weekly, I am live on the West Lawn of the US Capital for the National Memorial Day Concert. We've got Noah Wiley, Mickey Get, Mandy, Grammar and Moore. 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. Newt Now Now, Hello, and welcome to pop Culture Weekly with Kyle McMahon. I of course am Kyle McMahon, and we're coming to you live from the West Lawn of the United States Capital for the annual National Memorial Day Concert.

0:47 And you know, pop Culture Weekly is the show where we normally talk about movies, music and TV. Today we're doing that, but we're also trying not to openly sob in front of the United Seas State's Capitol building. What up, my fellow pop culture degenerates. This is one of my favorite episodes Every single year. I am at the Washington d C. I'm at the Washington DC. That makes sense. I am in Washington, d C. For the annual National Memorial Day Concert on PBS live from the West Lawn of the US Capitol during rehearsals for this year's broadcast, and you know, honestly, there's just something incredibly powerful about being here.

1:34 We've got the. Capital behind US military and their families everywhere, and their loved ones, artists rehearsing these emotional performances, and this just collective feeling of gratitude that kind of hangs in the air. All day long. I feel like Memorial Day, the actual meaning of Memorial Day, can sometimes get lost between cookouts and mattress sales and arguing with strangers online about whether pineapple belongs in a pizza. It absolutely does, by the way, But this concert always brings the focus back to what the day is truly about, and that is honoring the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to this country and to the families and loved ones who continue.

2:25 Carrying that weight every single day. This year's lineup is incredible, and I have the chance to speak with some amazing talent taking part in the concert, including Noah Wiley, Melissa Leo, Mary McCormick, Blessing, Offer, Andy Grammer, Lauren Osniz, and Mickey Geiton. We talk about the emotional impact of the event, the stories behind the performances, and why this concert continues to matter year after year. This is like my tenth year or something of doing this. Maybe we'll have to look, but I've been doing this for quite a while and it's just an amazing event that I look forward to every year. While you're here, make sure you're subscribed to Pop Culture Weekly wherever you get your podcast, join the newsletter for weekly deep dives, picks and exclusives, and of course, follow me everywhere at Real Kyle McMahon because we've got a lot of cool stuff coming up. All right, are we ready? Let's jump into it. First up is Lauren Osnes. Lauren's voice is just breathtaking. You've seen her all over Broadway. She's an incredible talent and I'm honored to speak with her here.

3:49 She is Lauren Asnis. All Right, so I'm here on the West lawn of the United States Capitol. You are performing My Country to is It Beats? What does that moment mean for you? What does that song mean for you? Performing for you know, Memorial Day at the Capitol. It is truly such an honor and I'm surrounded by twelve I think service members who are mirroring uniforms over the years, and it's it's such a pointed, beautiful moment celebrating our freedom and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. And I don't think very many people know the additional verses of that song, so I don't think so getting to share those, I say, I hope people really listen to the lyrics and take them to heart.

4:37 Do you as a performer when you are it is super distracting? Okay, we did go the first yes question recollector as. A performer, you know, when you're performing that, do you feel the weight of those words and the moment that you're in or are you able to kind of separate or go into your own like how does that process? Sir? Great question for me personally. I've actually have to check myself because it's a very kind of somber day, but we're also celebrating the reward of that sacrifice and our freedom, and I find myself wanting to smile and pargain moments of my song, and I think that's also warranted.

5:19 I think it's a it's a great face smile and in gratitude that I think is balanced with the remembrance of the sacrifice that that husband paid, do you know what I mean. So it's the best of both worlds. And as the actor, obviously, I want to ring truth to the lyrics that I'm saying, and I'm hoping that they ring true and that people feel that same thing. I love that. And then what can we expect next from you? You've been all over Verveen on the stage. Where are you going next? Well, thanks for asking. I get to come back here for fourth of July, and that hasn't really been announced yet. Okay, but I don't think it's a secret per se. So I'm very thrilled to get to be part of that. And let's see, I just finished filming a Christmas movie.

6:00 Oh cool. It's called Silver Bells at Christmas and it will air on Great American Family this coming winter season. So that's probably the next big thing. Awesome. So we'll see you. We'll be back here for fourth of July, and then we'll see you in the like November is. Yeah, I probably yes, either October or November, maybe early December leading into the Christmas seas cool. Thank you so much, Thank. You, learn us News, Thank you to Lauren. Awesome person, awesome talent, and she really does an incredible. Job for the show. And I can't wait for you to see, you know, and hear her all right.

6:44 Next up is the incredibly talented Blessing Offer. Blessing's voice is absolutely unreal. You may have seen him on the voice, which makes sense. His music carries so much soul, hope, and humanity, and we talk all about that all right here. He is Blessing Author. All right, we are here on the West lawn of the US Capital. Your performance was absolutely amazing. Of course, to con what does it mean. For you when you're performing a song like that in the context of this show. Obviously Memorial days to honor the families that have endured the ultimate sacrifice. And if I can.

7:31 Bring any hope, any joy, any kind of optimism to the situation, it's the least that I love that. I Do you feel any weight as a performer like in this context or are you able to kind of separate it and do your thing? How does separate I don't know if you can separate it. Honestly, the weight every time I celebrate, whether it's two fifty or any other Memorial Day, independence day as an immigrant, I go. I'm so happy to be so, I think just for me personally, the added level is that I get to do this. I came to the States when I was six, and so this is particularly meaningful for me. Yeah, for sure.

8:12 And what can we expect from you next? You've got an album last year? What record last year? For singles coming up, remixes coming up, new music coming up? You guys, it'll be fun. I don't Grace is over there, she's gonna yell at me. I can't say too much, but okay, it's gonna be fun. So all right, at some point in the near future, very near future. Okay, thank you so much. I really frust I appreciate it. Hold high, hold. Time, blessing of her, Thanks the blessing for speaking with me. Next up, once again coming back to the show, is the amazing Andy Grammer. I love him. He always has this infectious positivity and heart to everything he does. But there's also this sincerity to him that is so powerful and it really fits the spirit of the National Memorial Day Concert perfectly.

9:07 Here he is Andy Grammer. All right, I am here once again with Andy Grammer. What's going on? Man? How are you so. Last time we talked, it was here for Capital fourth. Yeah, you were performing. Don't give up on me. The Capitol fourth is more of a party like celebration. I think we'd enjoy that time too. Maybe we did both of them. Yeah, and well I was going to ask you, like, what you know now you're doing it in a different, you know, kind of setting. Yeah, it's a little bit more somber. How does that? How does a song that you've done? I think this song is a little bit somber in like an up uplifting somber way. But it is definitely uh, you know, you write a song, you put out in the world, and then it gets used in all these different contexts, and to have it be used to cheer on our military is really special to me.

9:58 I love that. And from the reason I specifically remember that you had did this for Capitol fourth because you and I had talked. I had just lost my mom when you did when you performed to her last time, and you and I were talking about how I believe it was your aunt or your mom's best friend or something that you had brought here or she was watching or you told her she was gonna You were gonna be doing this song. And so now that you know, I got to saw to before you did that. So what did that moment mean for you? You know? This sweek? Yeah, my mom's best friend Lee and my godmother and I so I kind of like let her know when her I'm doing anything like Auntie, I'll make her watch this tomorrow for sure.

10:38 Yeah, And how does you know? How does that feel with you? You know, it's got to have some extra weight for you when you know somebody you loved so much as like our shoot, you know, chearing you on. She tunes in man, I love her to death you a lot. Yeah, And for now, you know, for Memorial Day, what would you be doing if you were performing here? How does probably? Honestly, I play a lot of things like this every morre right here. I think last year we're app us playing for the military somewhere in the world. Last year we did. Over the last two years, we've played for the military in Japan, Italy, Germany, and then like a bunch of spots all around Texas, and you like, we go around a lot. So generally on Memorial Day, I'm either with my family by the pool or at something.

11:27 Like this I'll love that, and what can we expect next from you? Now? I'm coming Yeah, new singles are coming soon. They had the look out all right, cool, Thank. You Andy Grammar, Love Love Love him and his performance of Don't give Up on Me is chilling. It's just in the context of the show, it is just chilling. There's nothing like the energy backs at National Memorial Day Concert. It is emotional, it is reflective, grateful, and you know, of course chaotic.

12:10 It's a live show. Like one minute someone's discussing sacrifice and remembrance and the next minute I'm asking if there's ice, coffee and catering, you know, live show. All right, we're gonna take a quick break, but when we come back, I'm joined by Mickey Geiton, Mary McCormick, Academy Award winning Best Actress, Melissa Leo, and Hot off of the Pit Noah Wiley, all from the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, d C. We're gonna pay the bills. I'd be back in sixty see you then. All right, welcome back to Pop Culture Weekly.

12:53 Thank you for supporting our sponsors. We're backstage at the annual National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn. The US Capitol in Washington, d C. And the show airs live May twenty fourth, eight pm Eastern on PBS, on PBS's YouTube, on the National Memorial Day Concert website, and the Armed Forces Network. Next up is Mary McCormick. She returns once again to our show, to Pop Culture Weekly, and to National Memorial Day Concert. From the West Wing to Murder one and beyond. Mary has been one of television's most consistently great performers for years, and her and I talk about NMDC twenty six and the importance of keeping these stories alive.

13:49 You know, she's actually hosting this year. Joe Montaigna unfortunately fell ill, and he'll be back next year, but Mary has stepped in his place, along with of course Gary Sinise. So here she is Mary McCormick. All right, First of all, thank you for speaking with me. You're once again doing the National Memorial Day Concert. You're doing kind of double duty this year. Hell, you know, as a. Performer, how do you kind of go from telling, you know, a powerful story to then kind of having to get your bearings back to then we post.

14:30 Is that like something that crosses your mind to her? Yeah? Sure, I mean it's a live show, and there's you know, Joe Maintainer is so good at it. And I've done it for this is my ninth year, when I've done a little bit of everything. Through the nine years, I've hosted once and or a couple of times, and told stories, dramatic readings, and some gold Star family tributes. So I've done a little bit of everything. But I always say to Michael and Joe Colbert, who produced the show, I'll come and do anything that doesn't have to be on camera. I just want to be here and be part of it. And the first time I did it nine years ago, I was I think Joe Montagne said to you before I did my reading, he was like, you'll never be the same. This will change you, and it really did.

15:11 I just couldn't believe how powerful the night was and how honored I was to get to say thank you yeah to everybody, to all our fallen soldiers and all the gold Star family to show up, and it just was so incredibly moving. Yeah, I'm coming no matter what. So I always say that, I'm like, I don't even know if I'm really invited at this point, I just show up. I think they feel like they have to give me something to do. And how for you? You know, you've done you know, fictional characters, you've told, true stories, you've played, you know, is there a difference for you? Do you feel more pressure when it's a real person? Do you are you able to kind of separate that you you know, as you're doing your performance?

15:52 Yes, I mean this, You're right. It's it's different because they're often in the audience too, and it's such an important story. So and it's half performance half presentation. It's an odd hybrid of it's a sort of an odd acting job. Yeah, but tonight I don't have that pressure. I have a different pressure tonight if we'll be hosting. So it's different challenges. But for awesome, Thank you so much. As always such a pleasure to talk. To you, as he always. Mary McCormick, She's always such a delight. Love love, love her all right. Next up is the incredible Mickey Guiton, who returns to Pop Culture Weekly once again. Mickey is not only an amazing artist, but she's really one of the most thoughtful and authentic artists working today. We talked about the emotional responsibility of performing at the National Memorial Day Concert and how music heals here she is Mickey Guiton. All right, So I am here on the West Lawn of the US Capitol with Mickey And last.

17:00 Time we talked, you were here for fourth of July. Yeah, this is a different kind of you know, celebration. How do you you. Know, kind of put yourself from that kind of party. It's a more summer where you're singing than nasal anthem, well me singing. The national anthem and singing God Bless America here at the National Memorial Day Concert. It's we're honoring our. Heroes the freedom to be here, and we wouldn't be here without them, without our better interap, without the people that made the sacrifices for to be here. And it's it's a it's a beautiful twists.

17:44 And do you feel like, you know, when you're singing our nation's theme song? Essentially, it's a lot of pressure. Okay, there is. There's a lot of pressure. Absolutely. You know it's our nation song and you know it can go wrong anyway if you don't start it on the right. Keys, if you get the word. There's so many things that that's what people remember. And so there's a lot of pressure. But you know, I'm going to be thinking of our heroes and so I'm I'm chill today. I'm not nervous. I'm not nervous. Do you are you able to kind of as your performer and you know it's live and not that I mean, you're a proud you've done it before, But are you able to kind of in your mind? Does that weigh in your mind like one of those cameras role or are you like there's a lot weighing on my mind.

18:29 You know, there's a lot going in your country as a whole, and I see them thinking about all of the same and think, as human it would I'd be surprised if you're not a keep all what's going off. You know. I just hope that you can just come together, loving each general such as special Fay. I love that. Finally, what can we expect from you next man? Well? There aren't them. Some things, some really really exciting things that I can't say which you stay too? Okay to stay too Mickey, Always a pleasure speaking to you. Thank you so much. She was well. Nicky gaydon love love love her.

19:12 She's always so much fun and it's great to talk to her once again. All right, next up, Academy Award winner Melissa Leo. Melissa has the incredible ability to completely disappear into every role she plays. I mean completely. She is intense, she is thoughtful, and she is deeply passionate, and you can really feel how seriously she takes being a part of this event. Here she is Melissa Lea. Thank you for speaking with me, Melissa, I really appreciate it. So we're here for National Memorial Day Concert for PBS.

19:54 What does you know telling this powerful story? What does that mean to you? Well? I was delighted to ask. I rarely have participated in any sort of Memorial Day event and to be asked to do this and to read Patty's words. I thought it was a letter she wrote, but actually it's words taken from interviews with her. Seven eight hours of interviews they did with her, and I can tell the words they've chosen are so powerful that she I can't wait to meet her. I'll meet her tomorrow evening after I deliver her words. So yeah, no, it brings tears to my eyes to even think of the honor of sharing her strength and her vision of a United States of America.

20:39 And for you, you know, you are Academy Award winner, you are you know, stage and screen and film and television and all the things. Do you find it as an actor? You know, is there a difference between telling somebody's true story and a fictional character? Is there more pressure? Is it different for you as an actor? It's a very good question. It is quite different. And I know that because I got my Academy Award playing a woman I had met. I met Alice Ward, and I wasn't sure I could play her. David o'russell wanted me to play her. I thought I was a little young.

21:21 I met her, I recognized in her something that felt like my mother's mother, different socio economic reality. But next, in many ways, I have to stop when the sound stops, because it might be my one take right. Independent film. So yeah, no, in that sense of it's wonderful for the performance, because you want something that's going to give you that, you know, performance boost, And not only will all the audience appearing give you that boost, but to know that Patty will be sitting not twenty feet from me as I say her words, I yes, the imperative to do her words justice, to pronounce the names of her friends and colleagues properly becomes heightened, and that's exciting for an actor. The more important it is, the more interesting it is.

22:16 Yeah, I love that. And finally, you have a new film out right now this weekend. What is that? You know? It's got to be exciting, I would assume, but you tell me, like, you have this new film out right now in theaters, which I can't wait to say. Normally I'll go to screeners and see them and all, and this last couple of weeks, I've been so busy getting ready for this that I'm like, so, I'm probably going to be saying it tomorrow night or I'm sorry Monday night. But what does that feel like like when it's release weekend? Or are you already onder the next project or do you feel any of that or do you try to keep. It out of your mind? You know? How is for me the most interesting part of the work is when we are in production shooting it, and beyond that I have little to do with the product.

23:05 Right They didn't even need me for publicity with the opening of Passenger. But Andre Overdal, who wrote and directed this story, co wrote and directed us, is one of the most marvelous directors I've ever worked with. He's just a brilliant genius out of Norway, and the film is full of your expected sort of horror film things. I have a marvelous well incident at the end of the film, and it also has some remarkable filmmaking choices that Andre made that make it worth seeing not only for horror fans, but for any film fans. This becomes an incredibly interesting, important film. Passenger opening as wee f.

23:54 Andrew, I can't wait to see it. The trailer like what is terrifying? The trailer is so good. Thank you so much. I really appreciating you. Melissa Leo, she is. So amazing and just wait until you see her powerful performance on National Memorial Day Concert twenty six. As with everything Melissa does, it is breathtaking, all right. Finally, Noah Wiley. Of course you. Know Noah from everything from Er to the Pit and countless other incredible performances over the years. He is one of those actors that just like immediately brings humanity and empathy to every role he touches, which makes him a perfect fit for an event like this. We talked backstage during rehearsals about storytelling, honoring veterans, and what it means to be part of something as important as the National Memorial Day Concert.

24:57 Here he is, Noah, what all right? So I'm here on the West lawn of the United States Capital. With Noah Wiley. I'm you know, you. Are telling a powerful story here where the National Memorial Day Concert. What does a moment like that mean to you when you are, you know, telling a real life story about American hero in front of you know, Big April. First of all, it's just not going to be invited to this event, and just to stand to her on the lawn where we are feels like a rare privilege in it of itself. To take part in a Memorial Day celebration and remembrance feels particularly special on the two hundred and fifty of the anniversary for our country. I'm going to be reading an excerpt from a diary from a revolution dedicated under Washington frad years and I think it's the first time that a revolutionary soldier's speech has been included in this presentation.

25:55 So that's really kurt ratifying. Do you ever feel, you know, as an artist, do you feel a weight or a responsibility as you're telling, you know, a true story versus something. Fortunately, my guy died a long time ago, and while he may have some descendants, none of them know what he really sounded like, right, So it's not like I've got to nail it pitch perfect like some of my fellow artists do today. But you're I'm making light of a serious question, which is do you feel a responsibility when when you're portraying somebody who really lived and absolutely you feel you want to bring his bunch, dignity and presence to the giggest promistles.

26:35 And on a different note, you know the pit is obviously amazing and all of your work, what can we expect next from you? I'm gonna stick with this one for a while, you know. Don't look at gift tours in the mouth. My parents always taught me. And lightning very rarely strikes in the same place twice, and here it struck twice in my life. Yeah, so I'm just gonna ride this one for a minute. I love that. Thank you so much. Now I pleasure you talking you as well. Noah Wiley such a great guy. Not only is he a great talent, but he's a great guy like he is. So awesome, all right, huge thanks to Capital Concerts and the National Memorial Day Concert for having me out once again, and to all of the artists and actors who took the time to speak with me during what is honestly a very busy and very.

27:30 Emotional rehearsal day. And most importantly, thank you to all of the service men and women who have given their lives in service to this country and their loved ones who continue carrying their memories forward every single day. And to the men and women all around the world that are you know, putting their lives on the line for our freedoms. I get to do this show because of their sacrifices. All right. That is it for this special National Memorial Day Concert episode of Pop Culture Weekly. National Memorial Day Concert twenty twenty six airs Sunday, May twenty fourth, at eight pm Eastern.

28:19 Check your local schedule. It's on PBS YouTube, PBS's website, and the Armed Forces Network. There will be a replay immediately following the concert, and it'll be available on demand for the following two weeks, so make sure you check it out. It is always always a powerful, emotional, special concert that I'm honored to be here for If you enjoy the episode, make sure you subscribe, live a review and share it with somebody who loves entertainment with a little heart mixed and all the chaos. You can follow me everywhere real Kyle McMahon, Watch interviews, exclusive content, deep dives, and sign up for the newsletter for all the latest. Wherever you are this Memorial Day weekend, I hope you take. I hope you take at least a moment to remember what the day is truly truly about. Until next time, I'm Kyle McMahon, and this has been pop Culture Weekly, the show where we go from red carpets to the literal capital law, in which honestly it's like the most stressful crossover episode imaginable.

29:31 All right, until next time, Ilivia, Well. Thank you for listening to pop Culture Weekly here all the latest and Popcultureweekly dot com oo Cum