Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks came close to not singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? It is said that Garth Brooks almost decided not to perform at the Super Bowl in 1993, and in doing so, he ended up changing the requirements for future Super Bowl performers.
Other country artists like Charley Pride, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood have also been chosen to perform the national anthem in the past. However, Brooks' alleged decision to boycott the show at the last minute led to a change in policy that is now a permanent part of the event.
In 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 1992 L.A. riots that occurred after the Rodney King verdict. The video included footage of the KKK, riots, wars, and acts of burning crosses and flags. However, the network considered the video too controversial, which led to Brooks leaving the stadium only 45 minutes before kickoff.
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Brooks refused to pre-record his performance for the network, causing the producers to search for a last-minute replacement. Jon Bon Jovi was present at the game and was on standby as the producers had a heated discussion with Brooks. Eventually, Brooks emerged victorious, resulting in the delay of the biggest sports event in America for the first time ever, just to showcase his video. Brooks appeared on the field with a mullet and a full mustache and beard, resembling Cyrus. He was joined by Marlee Matlin, an Academy Award-winning actress who is hearing impaired, who provided sign language interpretation during his performance.
After Brooks left abruptly, the NFL decided that all performances of the national anthem at the Super Bowl must be pre-recorded. This new rule was confirmed by Ricky Minor, who formerly served as the Super Bowl Music Director.
He asserts that doing it in that manner is correct. There are numerous factors to consider before going live. He strongly advises against any artist going live, as even the tiniest technical issue could have a devastating impact on the performance.
15 country music artists who are well-prepared to headline a Super Bowl halftime show. The gallery is credited to Jess.
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