Marilyn Maye voices the Statue of Liberty in new America250 music video

Composer Kenneth D. Laub and singer Marilyn Maye have released a new music video, timed to the Fourth of July and America’s 250th anniversary, that gives the Statue of Liberty a voice of her own. The YouTube release ties New York imagery, Maye’s legacy and a message of resilience to the upcoming July 4, 2026 milestone.

Why it matters: - The release ties a familiar national symbol to America250, giving the Fourth of July 2026 celebration a New York-centered musical tribute. - The project uses Marilyn Maye’s voice and legacy to frame the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of endurance, restoration and civic memory. - The video adds another cultural touchpoint ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

What happened: - Composer Kenneth D. Laub and Marilyn Maye released a new music video, “New York's Most Iconic Lady Shines Bright.” - The song is an original Laub composition performed by Maye. - The release is timed to the Fourth of July and the nation’s 250th anniversary. - The video is streaming on YouTube and runs 4:46. - The release date in the source is June 25, 2026.

The details: - The song is written from the perspective of the Statue of Liberty herself. - The theme centers on resilience, restoration and survival through time. - The lyric treats the Statue of Liberty as a voice that is proud, weathered and renewed. - The video pairs Maye’s vocal with images of the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline. - Laub said he wanted the statue to speak for herself, not as a monument, but as someone who has endured, been cared for and is still standing. - Laub said Marilyn Maye was the only voice he could imagine carrying that idea. - The video is available at the YouTube release.

Between the lines: - The project leans on Maye’s reputation across jazz, cabaret and the Great American Songbook to give the song more emotional weight. - Maye’s long career, including her 1966 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and her record 76 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, reinforces the release’s classic American framing. - The Statue of Liberty angle also fits Laub’s broader catalog of New York-themed work and his focus on city life, memory and place.

What's next: - Laub’s broader America250-themed New York work suggests more material tied to the 250th anniversary could follow. - Maye continues to perform and teach, with ongoing appearances in New York and Kansas City. - The YouTube video gives the project a public launch point heading into July 4, 2026.

The bottom line: - The release turns the Statue of Liberty into a first-person anthem for America250, anchored by one of American music’s most enduring voices.