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 almost decided not to perform, and this incident ended up changing the guidelines for Super Bowl performers.
Brooks is not the sole country musician who has been chosen to perform the anthem. Other notable artists like Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also had the opportunity to sing it in the past. However, when Brooks unexpectedly decided to boycott the show at the last minute, his actions led to a change in policy that has now become a significant aspect of the institution.
Based on 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 L.A. riots that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The music video included footage of the KKK, riots, wars, and acts of burning crosses and flags. However, the network decided that the video was too controversial, and as a result, Brooks apparently left the stadium just 45 minutes before the kickoff.
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Brooks refused the network's request to record his performance in advance, causing producers to frantically search for a substitute at the last minute. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was ready to step in while the producers negotiated with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks prevailed, resulting in a delay of the largest sports event in America for the first time ever, in order to showcase his video. With a hairstyle reminiscent of Cyrus and a complete mustache and beard, Brooks then appeared on the field to give his performance. Accompanying him was Marlee Matlin, an Academy Award-winning actress who is hearing impaired, providing a sign language interpretation.
After Brooks walked out, the NFL has now made it mandatory for all Super Bowl performances of the national anthem to be pre-recorded, as stated by Ricky Minor, former Super Bowl Music Director.
He states that doing it in that manner is correct. He believes that there are numerous factors to consider before going live. He would never advise any artist to go live because even the smallest technical issue could have a detrimental effect on the performance.
Here are 15 country artists who are well-positioned to be the main performers at a Super Bowl halftime show. This gallery is credited to
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