Snap. Crackle. Pop. Boom! It’s a familiar sound permeating July’s simmering heat. Communities will gather in fields, parking lots, and city amphitheaters to watch fireworks split the evening skyline. 

Fireworks are a human connector, according to Joel Brisson, Assistant Pyrotechnician for this year’s Americana Celebration in White House. “I love seeing people come together to enjoy the show. It doesn't matter your background, skin tone, beliefs—everyone loves fireworks.”

“I’ve always had a thing for the boom,” Brisson recollects. As a Forward Observer in the military from 2002 to 2005, his task was to “find the enemy call for fire.” In 2005 he became an Army Reservist and joined the Police Academy in Nashville. That led this Connecticut native to White House where he served on the White House police force for the next sixteen and a half years.

Brisson’s background prepared him for his pyrotechnician venture and led to his careful, safety-focused firework process. He assembled his first production for his church, First United Methodist Church of White House, in 2014. During his debut, the event’s original firework facilitator, Eddie Anderson, was pleased at how safe and synchronized Brisson worked. 

“You’ve got to be safe,” says Brisson. Like so many things in life, within its boundaries the fire is beautiful, artistic, and just plain fun. But outside of those boundaries, it often causes destruction and frenzy. Respect the spark.

That respect continued as Brisson earned his certification and licensing through Pyroshows Inc. in 2018. As his experience has grown, so has his spectator sphere. 

“The show I do for my church has gotten bigger and bigger with each year,” he says. “Last year we had about 1,300 people coming together to watch.” 

Over the last nine years, Brisson has assisted with fireworks shows in Gallatin and Franklin as well. This year Brisson feels as if he’s returning home and is thankful to bring his talents to the entire White House community as he assists with the Americana fireworks show for the first time. 

“I was a cop here in White House for sixteen and a half years,” recounts Brisson. “This is home.” 

A resident of Robertson County, Brisson changed careers in November 2022 making a decision that better suits the needs of his family. He and his wife, Heather, have three boys: Dylan, Drew, and Jace.

 “I needed to hang out with my kids more, and this job as Middle Tennessee Law Enforcement Liaison allows me to do that.” 

It also allows him to put to his pyro skillset to work at Americana. “It’s all hands on deck,” Brisson says, regarding police officer involvement during the festival. 

In years prior, he served the city during the celebration, fulfilling his duties as a police officer. This year, he gets to serve through the spectacular spark-filled finale, so we all can enjoy the snap, crackle, pop, and boom.

For full Americana info, visit www.americanacelebration.com.