Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks came close to not singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? It is said that in 1993, Garth Brooks almost decided not to perform, and this incident ended up changing the guidelines for future Super Bowl performers.
Other country stars, such as 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 policy that is now an integral part of the institution.
In 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 planned 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 riots in Los Angeles that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The video included footage of the KKK, riots, wars, and incidents of cross and flag burnings. However, the network considered the content of the video too controversial, leading Brooks to leave the stadium just 45 minutes before kickoff.
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The network asked Brooks if they could pre-record his performance, but he refused. This caused the producers to panic and look for a replacement at the last minute. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was ready to step in as they argued with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks won the argument, causing the biggest sports event in America to be delayed for the first time ever in order to show his video. Brooks, with a hairstyle resembling Cyrus and a full mustache and beard, then went onto the field to perform. Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is deaf, provided sign language interpretation during his performance.
After Brooks' departure, the NFL has implemented a policy mandating 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.
"He believes that is the correct approach," he expresses. "There are numerous factors to consider before going live. He would never advise any artist to go live, as even the smallest technical issue could have a disastrous impact on the performance."
Fifteen country music artists who are ready to take on the challenge of headlining a Super Bowl halftime show. The gallery credit goes to
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