Phillip Phillips to perform on National Mall for July 4th

American Idol winner Phillip Phillips is scheduled to perform at this year's July Fourth celebration on the National Mall -- his first performance since his brutal kidney surgery which took six hours.

Phillip will perform his hit song "Home" in front of an estimated 300,000 people. Megan Hilty from Smash is also scheduled to appear.

The report from AP:

America will get to hear from its newest “American Idol” at this year’s July Fourth celebration on the National Mall as Phillip Phillips makes his comeback performance following kidney surgery, organizers say.

In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press ahead of Monday’s announcement, the 21-year-old from Leesburg, Ga., said he was excited to visit the nation’s capital for the first time. Phillips, a bluesy guitar man, said he’s been focused on recovering from a serious kidney surgery since “Idol’s” finale in May.

Phillips hasn’t performed since his “Idol” victory. Instead, he’s been focused on recovery.

“I’m getting better each day, so that’s a good thing. I’m just walking around, getting my strength back together,” he said in an interview from Los Angeles. “It was tough, you know, those first few days, but I’m getting to where I can pick the guitar back up and write a little bit.”

In Washington, Phillips will perform his hit single “Home” for an expected audience of more than 300,000 from the lawn of the U.S. Capitol before the annual fireworks. The show is broadcast live on PBS and NPR. Phillips will join Matthew Broderick, country singer Josh Turner, “Smash” star Megan Hilty, composer John Williams, U.S. Olympic athletes and others at the concert, along with the National Symphony Orchestra.

“It’s probably the biggest thing I’ve ever done besides ‘American Idol,’” he said. “I’m just excited to get out there and do my first real live performance since everything that’s been going on.”