Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks nearly refused to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? It is said that in 1993, Garth Brooks almost walked away from the opportunity, and in doing so, he ended up changing the guidelines for future Super Bowl performers.
Brooks is not the sole country music artist who has been chosen to perform the national anthem. Other notable stars such as Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also had the privilege of singing it 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 institution.
In Don Weiss' book, The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World's Greatest Sporting Event, it is mentioned that Brooks had plans to premiere 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 acts of burning crosses and flags. However, the network considered the video too controversial and as a result, Brooks reportedly left the stadium only 45 minutes before the kickoff.
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Brooks refused the network's demand to pre-record his performance, causing producers to search for a replacement at the last minute. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was ready to step in while the producers debated with Brooks. In the end, Brooks prevailed, and the most significant sports event in America was delayed for the first time ever to showcase Brooks' video. Brooks appeared with a mullet and a complete mustache and beard, resembling Cyrus. He then went on the field to give his performance, with Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin providing sign language interpretation due to her hearing impairment.
After Brooks' decision to perform live, the NFL has implemented a new rule stating that all performances of the national anthem at the Super Bowl must be pre-recorded, as confirmed by former Super Bowl Music Director, Ricky Minor.
He believes that doing it in that manner is correct. He thinks that there are too many factors to consider when going live. He would never suggest any artist to go live because even a small technical issue could ruin the performance.
Here are 15 country music artists who are ready to take the stage as the headliners for a Super Bowl halftime show. The gallery
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