The 30th annual Warner Robins Independence Day Concert brought big names to the McConnell-Talbert Stadium Monday as people kicked off Independence Day festivities on Monday.

Thousands of people piled into the stadium today to hear music from big headliners including The Band of the US Air Force Reserve and country music star, Josh Turner. Season two contestant of “The Voice” and former member of the band, Angie Johnson, also joined her former band mates. However the night means more to some people than just "listening to music

“It gives me chills because we're supporting the troops,” concert attendee Linda Meeks said.

Turner along with the band kicked off what people say is Middle Georgia's largest patriotic concert. But, for the conductor and commander of the band, Major Don Schofield, Monday’s performance will be his last time on stage which makes this show even more special.

"It means so much” Schofield said. “A tremendous crowd out here in Middle Georgia what a great way to say both and good bye, it's a very personal concert for me tonight."

Earlier this year, the pentagon announced they will cut the band.
However, Chief of the Air Force Reserve, Lt. General Charles Stenner said he and others have a plan in motion to save it.

"We're trying to make sure we can make a case for this band as a component band with the heritage, with the capability, with the mission that it has both in recruiting as well as in the presidential kinds of things we do," Stenner said.

But Stenner said the night was about celebrating America's birthday.

"This is independence day,” he said. “This is a sharing of what goes on in our community here in Warner Robins and here in Middle Georgia."

The American Air force Reserve Network will broadcast the show Wednesday to more than one million troops in one177 countries. The concert ended with a huge firework display celebrating America's Independence Day.