In 1993, there was a situation where 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 singers such as Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also had the opportunity to do so in the past. However, when Brooks supposedly decided to boycott the show at the last minute, it led to a change in policy that has now become a permanent part of the 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 the intention of premiering 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 apparently left the stadium only 45 minutes before the kickoff.
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Brooks refused the network's plea to record his performance in advance, causing the producers to panic and search for a last-minute replacement. Jon Bon Jovi happened to be present at the game, so the producers kept him ready while they argued with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks emerged victorious, resulting in the first-ever delay of the biggest sports event in America to showcase his video. With a hairstyle resembling Cyrus and a complete mustache and beard, Brooks then appeared on the field to entertain the audience. Additionally, Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is deaf, provided a sign language interpretation of Brooks' performance.
After Brooks' departure, the NFL has implemented a new rule that all performances of the national anthem at the Super Bowl must be pre-recorded. This information comes from Ricky Minor, a former Super Bowl Music Director.
According to him, following that approach is correct. He believes that there are numerous factors to consider before going live. He strongly advises against artists going live as even a minor technical issue could greatly impact their performance.
15 country music artists who are well-suited to perform as the main act during the halftime show of the Super Bowl. Gallery credit goes to
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