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Lionel Richie fans expecting to see him at the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular last night on CBS as advertised got Martina McBride instead.

The country star filled in at the last minute because Richie, who has been completing his upcoming album as well as performing back-to-back concerts, suffered strained vocal cords, which left him unable to perform, according to CBS.

“I am extremely disappointed to cancel my performance with the Boston Pops but must follow my doctor’s orders,” said Richie in a statement. He added, “I hope to perform with them in the future.”

“We will miss Lionel and hope he recovers quickly and completely,” said Jack Sussman of CBS. “Having a superstar like Martina step in at the last minute is a dream come true. She is one of the greatest voices of this or any generation, and she is now my hero.”