Making of A Capitol Fourth
PRODUCTION STAFF
On a live show the size of A Capitol Fourth, hundreds and hundreds of professionals and volunteers contribute to the creation and production of a successful event. The biographies below provide a glimpse into the talent and experience of several of the most important players.
Jerry Colbert
In 1981, Executive Producer Jerry Colbert presented the first PBS Fourth of July concert with the National Symphony Orchestra and guest artists performing live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. In 1990, he introduced the National Memorial Day Concert. Since then, both holiday specials have become among the highest-rated performance programs on PBS. In addition to his annual work on these concerts, Colbert has produced Mr. Justice Brennan, Sister Adrian, the Mother Teresa of Scranton, The Regulators: Our Invisible Government and H.R. 6161: An Act of Congress. Colbert was previously deputy director of the Center for Understanding Media in New York.
Walter Miller
Producer Walter Miller is recognized as America’s leading live director and producer, with credits that include such top television awards shows as the Grammy Awards, Country Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Tony Awards, American Comedy Awards, Emmy Awards, Daytime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. In 1999, he won an Emmy for producing the Tony Awards. For Liberty Weekend: Americana Music Concert, Miller received the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Director. He has been recognized with additional Emmys for S’Wonderful, S’Marvelous, S’Gershwin, a special with Jack Lemmon and Fred Astaire, and Annie, The Women In A Life Of A Man. His live musical concert credits include Concert of the Americas with Frank Sinatra in addition to A Capitol Fourth and the National Memorial Day Concert.
Paul Miller
Paul Miller has been directing television since 1982, with credits that include three seasons each as director of Saturday Night Live and In Living Color. In 1999, he won an Emmy for directing the Tony Awards and also received the Outstanding Television Director of the Year Award from the Directors Guild of America. For the last 10 years, Miller has directed the Country Music Awards. His recent credits include Blue Collar TV and Jeff Foxworthy’s Big Night Out. In addition, Paul is directing An American Celebration at Ford's Theatre for the sixth time.On July 4, 1993, Miller teamed professionally with his father, Walter Miller, for A Capitol Fourth, and since then has directed both the National Memorial Day Concert and A Capitol Fourth. Paul Miller is a partner in RickMill Productions, a Hollywood-based entertainment company that has produced numerous series for Comedy Central as well as specials for HBO and Showtime.
Jon Macks
Jon Macks has written for Hollywood’s top television programs, including the most prestigious award shows, late night programs and television specials. Since 1992, he has been a staff writer for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Macks has written for the Academy Awards since 1997, including for hosts Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg and Chris Rock. He was also head writer for the 76th Annual Academy Awards. Macks has written on11 Emmy Awards, three American Latino Media Awards and two Academy of Country Music Awards. In 2006, he received a Writers Guild Award nomination for his work on the 59th Annual Tony awards. He was also creator and consulting producer for the HBO series K Street and is executive producer and writer of the Universal movie Little Leaguers. His television credits include ABC’s 50th Anniversary Special, Hollywood Squares, CBS’s 75th Anniversary Special and The Honeymooner’s 50th Anniversary Special. This is Macks’ third year as writer for A Capitol Fourth.
