Mellencamp joins Fourth festivities

Roots rocker John Mellencamp will headline the 2007 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular concert July 4 on the Esplanade.

Mellencamp, 55, is known for hits "Jack and Diane " and "Pink Houses." More recently, Mellencamp has gained attention for his song "Our Country," which has been featured in a series of TV commercials as well as on his recent album "Freedom's Road."

The Fourth of July concert, attended by roughly 500,000 each year, will be broadcast locally on WBZ-TV (Channel 4) from 8 to 10 p.m., with Jack Williams and Lisa Hughes hosting. At 10 p.m., the show will go national on CBS with Craig Ferguson, host of "The Late Late Show."

GEOFF EDGERS