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 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 has now become a tradition within the institution.
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 written as 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 acts of burning crosses and flags. However, the network considered the video too controversial, leading Brooks to reportedly leave the stadium just 45 minutes before the kickoff.
Brooks refused the network's demand to pre-record his performance, causing producers to urgently search for a replacement. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was ready to step in while the producers negotiated with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks prevailed, resulting in the first-ever delay of the biggest sports event in America to showcase his video. With a hairstyle reminiscent of Cyrus and a complete mustache and beard, Brooks then appeared on the field to perform. Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is deaf, provided a sign language interpretation alongside his performance.
After Brooks walked out, the NFL decided that all Super Bowl performances of the national anthem must be pre-recorded. This information was shared by Ricky Minor, a former Super Bowl Music Director.
"He believes that is the correct approach," he states. "There are a lot of unpredictable factors involved in going live. I would never advise any artist to go live, as even a small error could have a disastrous impact on the performance."
Fifteen country artists who are well-prepared to take the spotlight at a Super Bowl halftime show. Credits for the gallery go to Jess
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