Carson Daly Sees Fireworks

That Carson Daly's one busy guy. Not only does the former TRL host have his own late-night TV chatfest (Last Call with Carson Daly) and a nationally syndicated radio show (Carson Daly Most Requested), he's also co-founded an independent record label, 456 Entertainment. This Sunday, he adds another highlight to his résumé as host of Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular (9 pm/ET on NBC).

So, how does a hip dude like Daly get attached to such family-friendly fare? By invitation, of course! "This whole thing started a year ago, when they asked me if I wanted to host [the 2003 telecast]. I said absolutely, really because I wanted a good seat for the fireworks," he explains. "To me, the Fourth of July, it's like must-see TV. It's just a great thing to have on; it just seems like a no-brainer."

But the pyrotechnics aren't the only reason to get fired up over the Spectacular. "Aretha Franklin is going to open the show," Daly enthuses, "and we have Fantasia from American Idol and Sheryl Crow."

This will be Fan's first major prime-time appearance since winning AI. Daly, however, can't count himself among the millions who voted for her during the competition. "I've never been a big fan of American Idol. It's been sort of off my radar, to be honest," he admits. "It's just not really my thing. But of all the winners so far, she's by far my favorite."

Speaking of his faves, Daly notes a rather unusual song as his patriotic tune of choice: "I like 'American Badass' by Kid Rock. That's a pretty good one for the Fourth of July!"