Do you recall the time when Garth Brooks almost refused to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl? It is said that Garth Brooks came close to walking away from performing this important song at the Super Bowl in 1993, and this incident ended up changing the way Super Bowl performers are selected.
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 been given this prestigious opportunity in the past. However, Brooks' alleged last-minute refusal to participate in the show led to a modification in the rules, which is now an integral part of the tradition.
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 Brooks had intended to premiere his music video for "We Shall Be Free" during the broadcast on January 31, 1993. This song was written as a response to the riots in Los Angeles that occurred after the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The video included footage of the KKK, riots, wars, and instances of burning crosses and flags. However, the network considered the video too contentious, and it is said that Brooks left the stadium only 45 minutes before kickoff as a result.
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Brooks refused the network's plea to pre-record his performance, causing producers to hastily search for a substitute at the last minute. Jon Bon Jovi happened to be present at the game, and producers kept him on standby while they negotiated with Brooks. In the end, Brooks prevailed, and for the first time ever, the most significant sports event in America was delayed to showcase his video. Brooks, sporting a hairstyle reminiscent of Cyrus and a complete mustache and beard, then made his way to the field to perform. Accompanying him was Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, who is hearing impaired, providing sign language interpretation.
After Brooks left the stage, the NFL has implemented a rule that mandates all Super Bowl performances of the national anthem to be pre-recorded. This information was disclosed by Ricky Minor, a former Super Bowl Music Director.
"He states that doing it that way is correct," he mentions. "There are numerous factors to consider before going live. Personally, I would never advise any artist to go live, as even the tiniest malfunction could have a devastating impact on the performance."
15 country music artists who are well-suited to headline a Super Bowl halftime show. Credit for the gallery goes to Jess.
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