MUSICAL SUPERSTARS MARIAH CAREY AND TIM MCGRAW TO PERFORM AT NBC'S ANNUAL "MACY'S FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS(R) SPECTACULAR" THURSDAY, JULY 4th (8-10 p.m. ET)

Multi-Faceted Entertainer Nick Cannon to Host the Live Telecast

New York - May 28, 2013 - NBC celebrates the nation's 237th birthday with a live broadcast of the "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular," featuring all-star performances by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, GRAMMY(R) Award winning Tim McGraw and others. Hosted by Nick Cannon of NBC's "America's Got Talent," the two-hour show will air on Thursday, July 4th from 8-10 p.m. ET, with an encore presentation of the second hour of the fireworks special airing at 10 p.m.

"Mariah Carey and Tim McGraw are the perfect complement to Macy's exceptional fireworks display," said Doug Vaughan, EVP of Specials and Late Night Programming for NBC Entertainment. "NBC is thrilled to have these amazing artists join us in celebrating America's birthday."

Mariah Carey is the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold and a ground-breaking career total of 224 #1 Billboard hits, including an unprecedented 18 #1 Hot 100 singles, the most of any solo artist in history! Mariah's brand new single, "#Beautiful" a collaboration with Miguel, has won critical raves and is already #1 in over 30 countries and a certified radio smash. "#Beautiful" is the lead single from Mariah's new album. With her world renowned voice and her award-winning songwriting and producing and longevity she has clearly earned her place at the top of music's pantheon. As a singer/songwriter/ producer, she has been recognized with five GRAMMY(R) Awards, nine American Music Awards, Billboard's Artist of the Decade Award, the World Music Award for World's Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium, and BMI's Icon Award for her outstanding achievements in songwriting, to name a few.

Tim McGraw was recently certified as the most-played country artist of the past 20 years. His latest album, TWO LANES OF FREEDOM, debuted at No. one on the Billboard Country Albums chart marking his 14th career No. one debut. Since the release of his first album in 1993, McGraw has sold over 40 million albums, dominated the charts with 33 No. one singles, won three GRAMMY's, 15 ACM Awards, 12 CMA Awards and 10 AMA's, while simultaneously maintaining a parallel career as a successful actor in such films as the Oscar nominated "The Blind Side," "Country Strong," and "Friday Night Lights" - as well as hosting "Saturday Night Live," a rare honor for a singer in any genre.

Cited by People magazine as one of the top 10 most successful young people in Hollywood and featured on the covers of magazine's such as Complex and Black Enterprises' 40 Under 40, Nick Cannon is a successful multi-faceted entertainer: film star, comedian, TV and radio host, musician, writer, director, executive producer and philanthropist. Cannon currently serves as host of NBC's hit "America's Got Talent," and Cannon's NCredible Entertainment banner.

The 37th annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks(R) is the nation's largest patriotic pyrotechnic display with over 40,000 fireworks igniting the sky over the Hudson River. This year's show will also feature a first-ever, one-of-a-kind collaboration with global superstar Usher.

For the first time in the history of the show, a superstar artist is collaborating with Macy's creative and pyrotechnic teams. Lending his artistic inspiration and talent, eight-time Grammy(R) Award-winning artist Usher is curating the overall design of the show, entitled "It Begins with A Spark." From the rousing musical selections to the spectacular Fireworks in the sky, Usher is putting his visionary stamp on the nation's biggest Independence Day party

"This year Macy's 4th of July Fireworks will be transformed into a giant party in the sky captivating audiences along the Hudson River and on television screens across the country," Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy's 4th of July Fireworks. "Since 1976, Macy's Fireworks have grown in scale and artistry. With this collaboration with Usher, we are taking the show to the next level of entertainment spectacle, combining the very best of Macy's Fireworks with Usher's unparalleled artistic vision."

The telecast is a production of Universal Television in association with Macy's. It is produced by Brad Lachman Productions with Lachman serving as executive producer. Bill Bracken is producer. Lachman's credits include a variety of NBC specials, including the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," in addition to "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" and a variety of other projects.

For embeddable clips from the "Macy's 4th of July" special, please visit: http://www.nbc.com/macys-4th-of-july/

Please like us on http://www.facebook.com/nbc and follow us at http://twitter.com/nbc