In 1993, there was a moment when Garth Brooks almost decided not to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. This incident ended up changing the expectations and guidelines for future Super Bowl performers.
Brooks is not the sole country music artist who has been selected to perform the national anthem at events. Other notable performers such as Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also had the opportunity to showcase their talents over the years. However, Brooks' alleged decision to boycott the show at the last minute led to a change in policy that has now become a fundamental aspect of the tradition.
In his book, "The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event," former NFL Executive Director Don Weiss reveals 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 L.A. riots that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The video included footage depicting the KKK, riots, wars, and the burning of crosses and flags. However, the network considered the content too controversial and Brooks reportedly left the stadium just 45 minutes before kickoff.
In
Brooks refused the network's request to record his performance in advance, causing the producers to urgently find a replacement. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was ready to step in as they negotiated with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks emerged victorious, resulting in the biggest sports event in America being delayed for the first time ever to showcase his video. Brooks appeared on the field with a mullet and a full mustache and beard, reminiscent of Cyrus's style. Additionally, Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is hearing impaired, provided sign language interpretation during his performance.
After Brooks's walkout, the NFL has implemented a rule that all renditions of the national anthem during the Super Bowl must be pre-recorded. This information comes from Ricky Minor, who previously served as the Super Bowl Music Director.
He expresses that following that approach is correct. He believes that there are too many factors to consider before going live. He would never suggest any artist to go live because even the smallest 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
Additional content from the website Taste of Country can be found below. For more details