Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks came close to not singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? It is said that in 1993, Garth Brooks almost decided not to perform, and in doing so, he changed the expectations for future Super Bowl performers.
Brooks is not the sole country artist who has been chosen to perform the national anthem. Other notable figures such as Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also had the privilege of singing it throughout the years. However, Brooks' alleged decision to withdraw from the show at the last minute led to a change in policy, which has now become an integral part of the event's tradition.
Based on Don Weiss' book, "The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event," it is mentioned that Brooks had planned to premiere his music video for "We Shall Be Free" during the broadcast on January 31, 1993. This song was written as a response to the L.A. riots that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The video included footage of the KKK, riots, wars, and acts of burning crosses and flags. However, the network considered the content of the video too controversial and as a result, Brooks reportedly left the stadium just 45 minutes before the kickoff.
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Despite the network's request to pre-record his performance, Brooks refused, causing producers to search for a replacement at the last minute. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was ready to step in while the producers negotiated with Brooks. However, Brooks ultimately prevailed, resulting in a delay of the biggest sports event in America for the first time ever, just to showcase his video. Brooks, sporting a mullet and a full mustache and beard reminiscent of Cyrus, then proceeded to perform on the field. Accompanying him was Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is hearing impaired, providing a sign language interpretation.
After Brooks' departure, the NFL decided that all Super Bowl performances of the national anthem should be pre-recorded, as revealed by Ricky Minor, a former Super Bowl Music Director.
He claims that is the correct method to approach it. According to him, there are numerous factors that make it risky to perform live. He firmly believes that artists should never opt for live performances as even the smallest technical issue could have a disastrous impact on the overall performance.
Fifteen country artists are well-positioned to take the stage as the headline performers for a Super Bowl halftime show. The credit for the
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