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 music artist who has been chosen to perform the national anthem. Other notable names such as Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also had the privilege over the years. However, his unexpected decision to boycott the show at the last moment led to a policy alteration, which now forms a significant aspect of the establishment.
In Don Weiss' book, The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event, it is mentioned 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 riots in Los Angeles that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The video included footage of the KKK, riots, wars, and acts of burning crosses and flags. However, the network considered the clip too controversial and as a result, Brooks reportedly left the stadium just 45 minutes before kickoff.
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Brooks refused the network's proposal to pre-record his performance, causing producers to frantically search for a replacement. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was kept on standby while the producers negotiated with Brooks. In the end, Brooks prevailed, causing the biggest sports event in America to be delayed for the first time ever in order to showcase his video. Brooks appeared on the field with a Cyrus-like mullet, complete with a full mustache and beard. He was accompanied by Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is deaf, providing sign language interpretation during his performance.
After Garth Brooks walked out, the NFL has now mandated that all performances of the national anthem at the Super Bowl must be pre-recorded. This information comes from Ricky Minor, the former Director of Music for the Super Bowl.
He states that is the correct approach. There are numerous factors to consider before going live. He would never advise any artist to go live, as even the smallest technical issue could have a detrimental impact on the performance.
Here are 15 country artists who are well-prepared to take on the role of headlining a Super Bowl halftime show. This gallery is
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