The Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at NJ’s Monmouth University kicked off a two-night concert event Thursday night (June 4, 2026), celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us featured performances by Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Jackson Browne, Mavis Staples, Kenny Chesney, Dion, Darlene Love, Sheryl Crow, and others. A second show took place on June 5, 2026, also at the OceanFirst Bank Center on the Monmouth campus, just prior to the grand opening of the new Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music on June 7. The original April 14 announcement called the shows “a major contribution to the national commemoration of America’s semi-quincentennial and the cornerstone of the Springsteen Center’s grand opening celebrations.”

Springsteen performed five songs on opening night, all with guest musicians. He began his set with a pair of Woody Guthrie songs, “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)” with Rosanne Cash, and “This Land is Your Land” with Chesney.

NJArts‘ coverage of the concert noted that Springsteen had sung “This Land is Your Land” with Pete Seeger at President Obama’s first inauguration, in 2009.

“Now, Pete’s ghost is in this room tonight,” he said. “And Woody’s ghost is in this room tonight. Now Pete said, ‘A song ain’t worth nothin’ unless it’s useful. Unless you can do something with it. And unless the people can sing it.’ So, I’ll count you in. Pete’s listenin’. Woody’s listenin’.”

Springsteen’s set continued with “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” and “American Land” with Dropkick Murphys, closing with “When the Saints Go Marching In” with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and a cast of thousands.

Thanks to Matt Orel, Concert Chick, Outlaw Pete NJ and BCB friend Sammy Steinlight for the videos.

Among the many others performing on June 4 included Little Steven, Keb’ Mo’, and Valerie June. The Disciples of Soul served as the house band.

Other artists who performed on June 5 were Gary Clark Jr., Dion, Nils Lofgren, Public Enemy, David Sancious, Tony Trischka and Sister Sadie, and Jimmie Vaughan. Watch many of the performances below.

Each artist performed landmark songs from American music history. Blues, bluegrass, rock, hip-hop, folk, jazz, country, and gospel are among the genres that wererepresented. Narration preceded each performance, giving context to the artist, song, and genre celebrated.

Related: Springsteen and JBJ joined Paul McCartney on stage at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium in 2022

“Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us is a journey through American music history,” said Robert Santelli, executive director of the Springsteen Center and the concerts’ executive producer. “The concerts reflect everything the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music stands for: the power of music to bring people together, the rich and diverse treasury of American music as a mirror of our national culture, and the inspiration to think about our shared history in these divisive times.”

The concerts are a continuation of the Springsteen Center’s celebration of America’s semiquincentennial, which began in 2024 with the launch of the traveling exhibition, Music America: Iconic Objects from America’s Music History. Music America is currently on display at the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame in Boston.

“We’re honored to bring together some of the most celebrated performers of our time for this once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Eileen Chapman, director of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music. “By uniting these artists on one stage, we’re creating an unforgettable experience that honors our past while inspiring the next generation who will shape our future.”