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 not to perform the national anthem at the 1993 Super Bowl, and in doing so, he ended up changing the guidelines for future Super Bowl performers.
Other country artists 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 allegedly decided to boycott the show at the last minute, it led to a change in policy that has now become a significant part of the institution.
Based on 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 the intention of premiering 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 of the KKK, riots, wars, and acts of burning crosses and flags. However, the network considered the content of the video too controversial, leading to reports that Brooks left the stadium with only 45 minutes remaining until kickoff.
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Brooks refused the network's plea to record his performance beforehand, causing the producers to hastily search for a substitute at the last minute. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was kept on standby while the producers negotiated with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks emerged victorious, resulting in the delay of the biggest sports event in America for the first time ever, in order to showcase his video. Brooks appeared on the field with a mullet and a full mustache and beard akin to Cyrus, and was accompanied by Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is hearing impaired, providing a sign language interpretation of his performance.
After Brooks' departure, the NFL has mandated that all renditions of the national anthem during the Super Bowl must be pre-recorded, as stated by Ricky Minor, a former Music Director for the Super Bowl.
According to him, following that approach is the correct way to proceed. He believes that there are numerous factors to consider before going live. He would never suggest any artist to go live as even the smallest technical issue could greatly impact the performance.
Here are 15 country artists who are well-prepared to take the stage as the headliners for a Super Bowl halftime show. The
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