Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks came close to not singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? According to reports, Garth Brooks almost decided to back out from performing the national anthem at the Super Bowl in 1993, and in doing so, he ended up changing the guidelines for future Super Bowl performers.
Other country stars such as 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 policy change that is now a permanent part of the institution.
Brooks had planned to premiere his music video for "We Shall Be Free" during the broadcast of the Super Bowl on January 31, 1993, as mentioned in Don Weiss' book, The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event. The song was written as a response to the riots in L.A. that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The video showcased footage of the KKK, riots, wars, and acts of burning crosses and flags. However, the network deemed the content too controversial and, as a result, Brooks reportedly left the stadium only 45 minutes before kickoff.
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Brooks refused the network's request to pre-record his performance, causing producers to search for a last-minute 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, and the largest sports event in America was postponed for the first time ever to broadcast Brooks' video. Brooks, sporting a mullet and facial hair reminiscent of Cyrus, then performed on the field with Marlee Matlin, an Academy Award-winning actress who is hearing impaired, providing sign language interpretation.
After Garth Brooks' departure, the NFL has implemented a new rule mandating that all performances of the national anthem during the Super Bowl must be pre-recorded. This information was shared by Ricky Minor, a former Super Bowl Music Director.
He expresses that this is the correct approach. Going live has too many unpredictable factors, and he strongly advises against it for any artist. Even the smallest technical issue could have a catastrophic impact on the performance.
15 country music artists who are well-positioned to perform as the headliners of a Super Bowl halftime show. This gallery is credited to
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