Last night was the second and final night of Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us, a two-day concert celebration of 250 years of American music held at the OceanFirst Bank Center in Monmouth, New Jersey. The celebration spanned centuries of American music, beginning with tributes to artists like Robert Johnson, Hank Williams, and Woody Guthrie before moving on to more contemporary icons such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Dion DiMucci, and Public Enemy.
Although this was a major celebration of the nation's musical history, Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us also served as a party for the newly renamed Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music, which opens to the public next week, on June 13, on the campus of Monmouth University. Previously known as the Bruce Springsteen Archives, the center changed its name at the beginning of this year to reflect "its expanded mission: preserving the legacy of Bruce Springsteen, and celebrating the history of American music and its diversity of artists and genres."
The first night of The Songs That Shaped Us featured Springsteen sharing the stage with Trombone Shorty, Keb' Mo', Valerie June, Brian Fallon, Shemekia Copeland, Rosanne Cash, Kenny Chesney, and Dropkick Murphys. Blues and folk legends such as Robert Johnson, Son House, Billie Holiday, Johnny Cash, Pete St. John, Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, the Carter Family, and Merle Kilgore were honored with covers of their songs. June performed her song "I Ain't Got No Home In This World Anymore" before covering Holiday's "Strange Fruit." Dropkick Murphys played their hit "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" and joined Springsteen for "American Band."
The second night included Jimmie Vaughan, Mavis Staples, Public Enemy, David Sancious, Dion, Sheryl Crow, Jon Bon Jovi, Jackson Browne, Will Calhoun, Gary Clark Jr., Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Nils Lofgren, and Darlene Love. Staples covered The Band's hit "The Weight," while Bon Jovi performed Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" before joining Lofgren for Neil Young's "Rockin' In The Free World." Crow covered Patsy Cline's "I Fall To Pieces" and Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall."
During his set, Springsteen covered Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" and Dennis Linde's "Burning Love." He also performed Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" with Sheryl Crow and Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Farther Up the Road" with Gary Clark Jr. With Steve Van Zandt, he played Eddie Floyd's "Raise Your Hand" and Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes' "I Don't Want To Go Home." Bon Jovi and Public Enemy also joined him onstage for the latter.
It truly sounds like an unforgettable night of once-in-a-lifetime performances. Check out video footage from the event below.
Bruce just enjoying the incredible @kennychesney performance last night at the Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us – Night One @kennychesney @springsteen pic.twitter.com/tP2RQkGvVJ
— Spring-Nuts (@SpringNuts_) June 5, 2026
Bruce @Springsteen and Dropkick Murphy's - American Land
— Spring-Nuts (@SpringNuts_) June 5, 2026
Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us – Night One pic.twitter.com/VGMDamfvjz
This one is my favorite. Bruce part of the conga line going through the whole arena during When The Saints Come Marching In and giving a high five to Jon Landau. They were having a blast and I be happier. @springsteen #springsteen @Tromboneshorty pic.twitter.com/lJBD5bPsM8
— Spring-Nuts (@SpringNuts_) June 5, 2026
Night 2 of @SpringsteenCAM’s Music America shows kicks off with @springsteen doing a double shot of @ElvisPresley. Jailhouse Rock and Burning Love. Absolutely fabulous! Full details of both shows on the next episode of the podcast. pic.twitter.com/h3iya6cAYz
— None But The Brave Springsteen Podcast (@NBTBPodcast) June 6, 2026
So grateful to join my friend Bruce @Springsteen in celebrating the history of American music at the opening of his archives. I was honored to sing This Land Is Your Land last night to fans of all kinds of music. Thanks again Bruce. KC pic.twitter.com/X85I2vxaH8
— Kenny Chesney (@kennychesney) June 5, 2026
Tonight at @SpringsteenCAM’s Music America show night 1, @springsteen and #DropkickMurphys team up on American Land. Bruce also did two Woody Guthrie songs, one each with Roseanne Cash and @kennychesney. pic.twitter.com/2tLVhAqFZ6
— None But The Brave Springsteen Podcast (@NBTBPodcast) June 5, 2026
Bruce @springsteen and @kennychesney - This Land Is Your Land
— Spring-Nuts (@SpringNuts_) June 5, 2026
Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us – Night One pic.twitter.com/HzdXCzPT4W
Deporte- Bruce Springsteen and Roseann Cash - Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us 6/4/26 pic.twitter.com/GPCx9h344q
— Spring-Nuts (@SpringNuts_) June 5, 2026






