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The Temptations’ Otis Williams says performing for the troops at the A Capitol Fourth concert is something special

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Courtesy of PBSThe Temptations are among the many artists who’ll perform on the 2018 edition of PBS’ A Capitol Fourth concert special, taking place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Otis Williams, the last surviving original Temptations member, tells ABC Radio that his group will play a short set that likely will feature three of their classic hits.

“[I]t’ll be with ‘My Girl,’ ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg’ and ‘Just My Imagination,’ I would imagine,” Williams notes, “but I have to get with my conductor and we have to come up with a rundown, because…we won’t be able to stretch it out like we ordinarily do.”

As is customary during A Capitol Fourth, performers will be accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra and will play in front of an audience that’ll include many U.S. military personnel and their families.

“It definitely means something special to be entertaining our armed forces, because because of them we’ve been able to do what we do,” says Williams.  He adds, though, that “regardless of what ilk and uniform they might wear, we will always try and give our best for whomever we are performing for, or to.”

Among the other artists taking part in this year’s A Capitol Fourth event are The Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffett and the Broadway cast of his musical Return to Margaritaville, gospel veteran CeCe Winans, and the contemporary a cappella act Pentatonix.

Williams says he has “nothing but respect and love” for all of the acts on the bill, “because they’re doing the same thing that The Tempts are doing — making music and bringing happiness and enjoyment to all the fans.”

The A Capitol Fourth special airs July 4 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.

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