Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks came close to not singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? According to reports, Garth Brooks almost decided not to perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl in 1993. As a result, he ended up changing the guidelines for future Super Bowl performers.
Brooks is not the sole country artist who has been chosen to perform the national anthem. Other notable country stars such as Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also had the privilege over the years. However, Brooks' unexpected decision to back out of the show at the last minute led to a change in policy, which has now become a permanent part of the tradition.
Based on the book "The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event" by Don Weiss, it is mentioned that Brooks had a plan to release 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 like flag and cross burnings. However, the network considered the content of the video too controversial, which led to Brooks leaving the stadium just 45 minutes before the kickoff.
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Brooks refused the network's plea to record his performance beforehand, causing producers to search for a last-minute substitute. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game, and producers kept him ready as they debated with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks prevailed, resulting in the first-ever delay of the biggest sports event in America to broadcast his video. With a mullet and facial hair resembling Cyrus, Brooks then appeared on the field to sing, with Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin providing sign language interpretation due to her hearing impairment.
After Brooks' departure, the NFL has implemented a new rule stating that all renditions of the national anthem during the Super Bowl must be recorded in advance. This information was disclosed by Ricky Minor, a former Super Bowl Music Director.
"He says that's the correct approach," he comments. "There are numerous factors to consider before going live. Personally, I would never advise any artist to go live, as even the smallest technical issue could greatly impact the performance."
Here are 15 country artists who are ready to take the stage and headline a Super Bowl halftime show. The credit for the gallery goes to
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