Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks almost refused to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? It is said that in 1993, Garth Brooks came close to walking out on his performance, and in doing so, he ended up changing the guidelines for future Super Bowl performers.
Other country stars like 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 has now become an integral part 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 present 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 music video included footage of the KKK, riots, wars, and acts of burning crosses and flags. However, the network considered the video too controversial and as a result, Brooks reportedly left the stadium just 45 minutes before the kickoff.
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The network asked Brooks to pre-record his performance, but he refused. This caused the producers to quickly find a replacement. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was ready to step in while the producers argued with Brooks. In the end, Brooks' request was granted, and the biggest sports event in America had to be delayed for the first time ever to show his video. Brooks, with a mullet and a full mustache and beard similar to Cyrus', then performed on the field. The performance included a sign language interpretation by Marlee Matlin, an Academy Award-winning actress who is deaf.
After Brooks' decision to perform live, the NFL has implemented a new rule that mandates all Super Bowl national anthem performances to be pre-recorded. This information was shared by Ricky Minor, a former Super Bowl Music Director.
He expresses that this is the correct approach. There are numerous factors to consider before going live. He strongly advises against any artist going live, as even the smallest technical issue could greatly impact the performance.
Here are 15 country music artists who are well-prepared to take on the role of headlining a Super Bowl halftime show. Credits for
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