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How Garth Brooks’ Last-Minute Boycott of the Super Bowl Shaped the Future of National Anthem Performances

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Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks was on the verge of not singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? It is said that in 1993, he almost decided not to perform, and his actions ended up changing the guidelines for future Super Bowl performers.

Brooks is not the sole country music artist who has been selected to perform the national anthem. Other notable stars such as Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also had the opportunity to sing it in previous years. However, when Brooks decided to boycott the show at the last minute, it led to a change in policy that has now become a regular practice within the organization.

In Don Weiss' book, "The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event," it is mentioned that Garth 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 L.A. riots that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The video included footage depicting the KKK, riots, wars, and the burning of crosses and flags. However, the network considered the content of the video too controversial and as a result, Brooks apparently left the stadium with only 45 minutes left until kickoff.

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The network had asked Brooks to pre-record his performance, but he refused. This caused the 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 while the producers argued with Brooks. In the end, Brooks got his way, and the biggest sports event in America was delayed for the first time ever to show his video. Brooks appeared on the field with a mullet and a full mustache and beard, reminiscent of Cyrus. During his performance, Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is deaf, provided sign language interpretation.

After Brooks' departure, the NFL has mandated that all Super Bowl performances of the national anthem must be pre-recorded, as revealed by Ricky Minor, the former Super Bowl Music Director.

He states that is the correct approach. There are numerous factors to consider before going live. He strongly advises against any artist going live because even the slightest technical issue could have a detrimental impact on the performance.

These 15 country artists are well-prepared to take on the role of headlining a Super Bowl halftime show. The credit for the gallery

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