In 1993, there was a moment when Garth Brooks almost decided not to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. This incident ended up changing the guidelines for future Super Bowl performers.
Other country artists 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, not just Brooks. However, his alleged decision to boycott the show at the last minute led to a change in policy that is now a permanent part of the institution.
Don Weiss, a former NFL Executive Director, wrote 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 in 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 burning crosses and flags. However, the network considered the clip too controversial and Brooks allegedly left the stadium just 45 minutes before kickoff.
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Brooks refused the network's plea to record his performance beforehand, causing producers to frantically search for a substitute at the last minute. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was kept on standby while producers negotiated with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks emerged victorious, resulting in the biggest sports event in America being postponed for the first time ever in order to showcase Brooks' video. Brooks, sporting a mullet and a complete mustache and beard reminiscent of Cyrus, then appeared on the field to give his performance. Accompanying him was Marlee Matlin, an Academy Award-winning actress who is deaf, providing sign language interpretation.
After Brooks' decision to perform live, the NFL has implemented a new rule that states all Super Bowl performances of the national anthem must be pre-recorded, as stated by Ricky Minor, the former Super Bowl Music Director.
According to him, that is the correct method to follow. Going live involves too many unpredictable factors. He strongly advises against any artist going live, as even the smallest technical issue could have a disastrous impact on their performance.
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