Phillip Phillips To Make Post-Surgery Debut at July Fourth Show

According to the Associated Press, American Idol Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips will perform at this year’s July Fourth celebration on the National Mall. This is going to be his first performance since undergoing kidney surgery.

The singer was suffering during the “Idol” season from a kidney blockage that made it hard to stand at times. He was undergoing a series of surgeries during breaks in the competition because his right kidney wasn’t functioning properly, but it didn’t require a transplant.

“I’m getting better each day, so that’s a good thing. I’m just walking around, getting my strength back together,” he said. “It was tough, you know, those first few days, but I’m getting to where I can pick the guitar back up and write a little bit.”

Phillips will perform his hit single “Home” for an expected audience of more than 300,000 on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol before the annual fireworks. The show is broadcast live on PBS and NPR. He will join Matthew Broderick, country singer Josh Turner, “Smash” star Megan Hilty, composer John Williams, U.S. Olympic athletes and others at the concert, along with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Phillips will be starting the “American Idol” tour and heading into the recording studio to turn out an album as quickly as possible.