Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks came close to not singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? It is said that Garth Brooks almost decided not to perform at the Super Bowl in 1993, and in doing so, he ended up changing the guidelines for future Super Bowl performers.
Brooks is not the sole country music artist who has been chosen 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 privilege of singing it in the past. However, when Brooks unexpectedly decided to boycott the show at the last minute, his action led to a change in policy that has now become an integral part of the tradition.
As stated in Don Weiss' book, "The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event," Garth Brooks had plans to premiere 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, leading to Brooks leaving the stadium just 45 minutes before kickoff.
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The network asked Brooks to pre-record his performance, but he refused. This caused the producers to quickly find a replacement. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was ready to step in while the producers argued with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks was successful in his request and the biggest sports event in America was delayed for the first time ever to showcase his video. Brooks appeared on the field with a mullet and a full mustache and beard, resembling Cyrus. Additionally, Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is hearing impaired, provided sign language interpretation during his performance.
After Brooks' decision to perform live, the NFL has implemented a new rule requiring all Super Bowl anthem performances to be pre-recorded, as stated by Ricky Minor, a former Super Bowl Music Director.
He states that the correct approach is to not go live due to the numerous variables involved. He advises against any artist going live, as even the smallest technical issue could have a detrimental impact on the performance.
Here are 15 country artists who are ready to take the stage as headliners for a Super Bowl halftime show. The credit for the
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