Memorial Day Concert packs ‘em in

Even veteran performers can be overcome when facing the multitudes on the Capitol lawn.

Yes, they know there’s an audience out there somewhere. Still, they’ve never seen this many people at once.

“I can’t even describe it,” says Joe Mantegna, who will co-host his third “National Memorial Day Concert” tonight on PBS.

“You have 300,000 people out there. It’s like Woodstock.”

And yes, they’ve seen American history portrayed. Now, however, they’re near the real thing.

“You realize this is where they have the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address,” says country singer Rodney Atkins.

He’s been to Washington before. Atkins, who speaks glowingly of his adoptive parents, was at the White House for National Adoption Day.

“That was in a small room,” he says. “This will be different.”

And then some. Atkins estimates his hometown of Cumberland Gap, Tenn., at 400 people; you could fit them onto the West Lawn 750 times.

The annual concert is actually held on the eve of the holiday, with a mixture of music and readings.

This year, performers include Atkins, classic soul singer Gladys Knight, Broadway’s Sarah Brightman and Idina Menzel, actor-singer John Schneider, plus the National Symphony Orchestra and five military music groups.

The program includes thoughts about people lost to war, plus the ones who survived.

“Wars get started from behind desks,” Mantegna says. “But at the end of the day, it’s the guys in the field who make a difference.”

Atkins got a taste of that from the reaction to his song “If You’re Going Through Hell.” It wasn’t meant to be specifically about war, but soldiers have embraced it.

“If you’d see the e-mails I’ve had from soldiers who relate to it,” he says. “I know these guys are scared to death, but they keep going.”

Mantegna, 60, has known many soldiers. During the event, he’ll honor his friend and fellow actor Charles Durning, 85, who was one of the infantrymen who landed in Normandy on D-Day.

Mantegna, who grew up in Chicago, never visited Washington as a kid.

“There were no field trips,” he recalls. “We were lucky if we got to the next town.”

But military history was nearby. Four of his uncles fought in World War II; he brings his Uncle Willie, 85, to the concert each year.

“You realize that generation is just about gone,” Mantegna says. “It’s important to honor them.”

He and another fellow actor involved in veterans’ issues, Gary Sinise, will co-host the broadcast for a third time.

A few elements have been consistent each year. That includes the symphony (conducted by Erich Kunzel), retired Gen. Colin Powell, Durning and the military groups.

Adding variety are the singers. This year, the event catches Atkins, 39, at a peak.

“It’s been a good time, with four No. 1’s (hits) off the album,” he says.

That started with “If You’re Going Through Hell,” which was the album’s title song. It was followed by “Watching You,” “These Are My People” and “Cleaning This Gun.”

Success came to an artist whose life has fit the working-guy, down-home themes of the album.

Sickly as a baby in an orphanage, Atkins was returned by two families before being adopted into a warm home.

As an adult, he juggled three jobs. He met and married a young mom who had two toddlers. But 10 years after his first Nashville deal, he finally hit the top.

That means big crowds on tour – and a huge one in Washington.

“It’s going to be awesome,” Atkins says.