Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks came close to refusing to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? It is said that in 1993, Garth Brooks almost walked away from performing the anthem, and in doing so, he ended up changing the regulations for future Super Bowl performers.
Brooks is not the sole country music artist who has been chosen to perform the national anthem. Other notable artists, such as Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood, have also had the opportunity to sing the anthem in the past. However, Brooks' alleged decision to boycott the show at the last minute led to a change in policy that has now become a significant aspect of the event.
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 the intention of premiering his music video for "We Shall Be Free" during the broadcast on January 31, 1993. The song was a response to the L.A. riots that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992, and the video included footage of the KKK, riots, wars, and flag burnings. However, the network considered the video too controversial, which led to Brooks leaving the stadium just 45 minutes before kickoff.
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Brooks refused the network's plea to record his performance ahead of time, causing producers to search for a last-minute replacement. Jon Bon Jovi happened to be present at the game, so producers had him ready as they debated with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks emerged victorious, resulting in the biggest sporting event in America being delayed for the very first time to showcase his video. With a hairstyle reminiscent of Cyrus and a complete mustache and beard, Brooks proceeded to perform on the field. Notably, Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is deaf, provided a sign language interpretation alongside his performance.
After Brooks' departure, the NFL decided that all performances of the national anthem at the Super Bowl should be recorded in advance, as stated by Ricky Minor, a former Music Director for the Super Bowl.
"He is stating that doing it in that manner is correct," he expresses. "There are numerous factors that could affect a live performance. I would never advise any artist to go live, as even the slightest technical issue could completely ruin the performance."
Here are 15 country artists who are well-prepared to headline a Super Bowl halftime show. The credit for the gallery goes to Jess.
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