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, Garth Brooks came close to backing out of the performance, and in doing so, he changed the expectations for future Super Bowl performers.
Other country stars, including Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood, have also been chosen to sing the anthem in the past. However, when Brooks decided to boycott the show at the last minute, it led to a change in the policy, which has now become a significant aspect of the institution.
In his book "The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event," former NFL Executive Director Don Weiss reveals that Brooks had planned to premiere 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 clip to be too controversial, leading to Brooks leaving the stadium only 45 minutes before kickoff.
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Brooks refused the network's plea to pre-record his performance, causing producers to frantically search for a last-minute substitute. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was kept on standby while producers debated with Brooks. In the end, Brooks emerged victorious, resulting in the delay of the biggest sports event in the United States for the first time ever, in order to showcase his video. With a mullet and facial hair reminiscent of Cyrus, Brooks then graced the field for his performance, accompanied by sign language interpretation from Marlee Matlin, an Academy Award-winning actress who is deaf.
After Brooks' departure, the NFL has mandated that all Super Bowl performances of the national anthem must be pre-recorded, as stated by former Super Bowl Music Director Ricky Minor.
"He believes that is the correct method," he mentioned. "There are numerous factors to consider before going live. It is not advisable for any artist to go live, as even the smallest technical issue could greatly impact the performance."
Here are 15 country artists who are ready to take the stage and headline a Super Bowl halftime show. This collection of talented musicians has the
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