Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks came close to not singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? It's been said that Garth Brooks almost decided not to perform at the Super Bowl in 1993, and in doing so, he 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 artists like Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also had the opportunity to sing it in the past. However, Brooks' alleged decision to boycott the show at the last minute led to a change in policy, which has now become a significant aspect of the institution.
According to a book by Don Weiss, who was previously the Executive Director of the NFL, Garth Brooks had plans to premiere his music video for the song "We Shall Be Free" during the broadcast of the Super Bowl 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 acts such as burning crosses and flags. However, the network considered the video too controversial and as a result, Brooks apparently left the stadium just 45 minutes before the kickoff time.
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Brooks refused the network's request to record his performance beforehand, which caused producers to panic and search for a replacement at the last minute. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was ready to step in as they negotiated with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks prevailed, causing the biggest sports event in America to be delayed for the first time ever in order to show his video. Brooks appeared on the field with a mullet and a complete mustache and beard, resembling Cyrus. His performance was accompanied by Marlee Matlin, an Academy Award-winning actress who is hearing impaired, providing sign language interpretation.
After Brooks' departure, the NFL has enforced a rule that all performances of the national anthem during the Super Bowl must be pre-recorded. This change was confirmed by Ricky Minor, a former Music Director for the Super Bowl.
He states that the correct approach is to follow this method. He believes that there are numerous factors to consider before going live. He would never suggest any artist to go live because even the smallest technical issue could greatly affect the performance.
Here are 15 country artists who are well-prepared to headline a Super Bowl halftime show. This gallery is credited to Jess.
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