In 1993, there was a moment when Garth Brooks almost decided not to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. This incident ended up changing the expectations for future Super Bowl performers.
Brooks is not the sole country music artist who has been chosen to perform the national anthem. Other notable performers in the past have included Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood. However, Brooks' alleged decision to boycott the show at the last minute led to a change in policy that has now become an integral part of the tradition.
In 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 the intention of premiering his music video for "We Shall Be Free" during the broadcast on January 31, 1993. The song was written as a response to the riots in Los Angeles that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The video included footage of the KKK, riots, wars, and the burning of crosses and flags. However, the network considered the content of the video too controversial, causing Brooks to leave the stadium just 45 minutes before kickoff.
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Brooks refused to pre-record his performance for the network, causing the producers to hastily find a replacement. Jon Bon Jovi happened to be present at the game, and the producers had him ready as they debated with Brooks. However, Brooks ultimately prevailed, causing the biggest sports event in America to be delayed for the first time ever in order to showcase his video. Brooks, with a mullet and complete facial hair, then went onto the field to perform. The performance was also accompanied by sign language interpretation from Marlee Matlin, an Academy Award-winning actress who is deaf.
After Brooks' departure, the NFL has enforced a rule that mandates all Super Bowl performances of the national anthem to be pre-recorded, as stated by Ricky Minor, a former Super Bowl Music Director.
According to him, that is the correct approach. Going live involves too many unpredictable factors. He strongly advises against any artist choosing to go live, as even the smallest technical issue could have a detrimental impact on the performance.
Here are 15 country artists who are well-prepared to take on the role of headlining a Super Bowl halftime show. This gallery credit
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