In 1993, there was a moment when Garth Brooks almost didn't sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. This incident ended up changing the expectations for Super Bowl performers.
Other country artists 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, Brooks' alleged decision to boycott the show at the last minute led to a policy change that has now become a tradition within the institution.
Based on information from Don Weiss' book, "The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event," Garth Brooks 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 following 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 apparently left the stadium just 45 minutes before the kickoff.
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Brooks refused the network's request to pre-record his performance, causing producers to frantically search for a last-minute replacement. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was kept on standby while producers negotiated with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks prevailed, resulting in the biggest sports event in America being delayed for the first time ever to showcase his video. With a mullet and facial hair reminiscent of Cyrus, Brooks then appeared on the field to perform. Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is deaf, provided a sign language interpretation during his performance.
After Brooks' decision to perform live at the Super Bowl, the NFL has now established a rule that all renditions of the national anthem at the event must be pre-recorded. This information comes from Ricky Minor, the former Music Director of the Super Bowl.
"He says that's the correct approach," he mentions. "There are numerous factors to consider before going live. I would never advise any artist to go live, as even a minor glitch 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. The credit for
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