Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks came close to not performing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? According to reports, Garth Brooks almost walked away from the opportunity 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 stars such as Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also had the privilege of singing it throughout the years. However, Brooks' alleged decision to boycott the show at the last minute led to a change in policy that has now become a permanent part of the tradition.
Don Weiss, a former NFL Executive Director, revealed in his book "The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event" that Garth 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 of the KKK, riots, wars, and burning crosses and flags. However, the network considered the clip too controversial and as a result, Brooks allegedly left the stadium only 45 minutes before kickoff.
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Brooks refused to pre-record his performance for the network, causing producers to search for a last-minute replacement. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was kept on standby while the producers negotiated with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks prevailed, resulting in a delay of the biggest sports event in America for the first time ever. Brooks, sporting a mullet and a full mustache and beard reminiscent of Cyrus, then appeared on the field to perform. Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is hearing impaired, provided a sign language interpretation alongside his performance.
After Brooks' departure, the NFL has implemented a new rule stating that all performances of the national anthem at the Super Bowl must be pre-recorded. This information was shared by Ricky Minor, a former Super Bowl Music Director.
According to him, that is the correct approach. There are numerous factors to consider before going live. He strongly advises against any artist going live, as even the slightest technical issue could have a devastating impact on the performance.
Here are 15 talented country artists who are ready to take the stage and headline a Super Bowl halftime show. This gallery is credited to Jess
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