LUKE BRYAN TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
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Country music superstar LUKE BRYAN will sing the National Anthem as part of Super Bowl LI pregame festivities at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday, February 5, the NFL and FOX announced today. The performance will be televised live on FOX prior to kickoff.
The Super Bowl is annually the most-watched television program. Bryan’s performance of the National Anthem in Houston will be his first time appearing on the Super Bowl stage.
Bryan is a two-time Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year and has hosted the ACM Awards for four consecutive years. Since the debut of his first album in 2007, he has placed 17 singles at No.1 and sold nearly eight million albums. His fifth studio album, Kill The Lights, is certified Platinum and has sold 3.5 million tracks with over 400 million streams.
Bryan joins the ranks of many great performers who have sang the Super Bowl National Anthem including: Lady Gaga, Idina Menzel, Renee Fleming, Alicia Keys, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Neil Diamond, Whitney Houston, Harry Connick Jr., Garth Brooks, Natalie Cole, Vanessa Williams, Luther Vandross, Cher, Faith Hill, Mariah Carey, Dixie Chicks, Beyonce Knowles, Christina Aguilera and many more.
People Exclusive: Luke Bryan to Sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl
(NEW YORK) -- For Luke Bryan there’s only one answer to the question, “Will you sing at theSuper Bowl?”
“I said, ‘Hell yes, I’ll do it!’ ” the country singer tells PEOPLE.
Bryan’s been tapped to sing the national anthem at the Feb. 5 event in Houston and despite the demanding nature of the tune, he has zero second thoughts about accepting the job.
“Is the anthem challenging? Yes. Is it nerve-wracking? Yes. But I moved to Nashville to follow my dreams and singing the national anthem on that stage doesn’t get any bigger.”
The performance is also one way to show his patriotism. “I never served in the military — that’s something I wish I had had the opportunity to do,” he says, “but I feel like this is my way of honoring my country. It’s a little chance to serve.”
The singer admits he is playing favorites among the final four teams vying for the Super Bowl spots. “I’ve to lean toward my Georgia roots,” the Leesburg native says. “I’m a huge Atlanta Falcons fan and it would be amazing if my Falcons make it.” But either way, “I’ll be focused on the anthem. And once I walk off that field and shake off that pressure, I’ll be ready to enjoy some football.”
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Universities of Arizona & Michigan Bands
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Garth Brooks (Signed by Marlee Matlin)
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Grambling University Band
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Natalie Cole with Atlanta University Center Chorus (Signed by Courtney Keel Foley)
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Anita Bryant (Pledge of Allegiance by Apollo Astronauts)
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Kathie Lee Gifford (Signed by Heather Whitestone)
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Al Hirt (Pledge of Allegiance by Astronauts)
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Vanessa Williams (Signed by Mary Kim Titla)
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Luther Vandross (Signed by Erika Schwarz)
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U.S. Air Force Academy Chorale
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Jewel (Signed by Phyllis Frelich)
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Andy Williams & Little Angels of Holy Angels Church (Chicago) Pledge of Allegiance by Apollo 17 crew
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Cher (Signed by Speaking Hands)
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Faith Hill (Signed by Briarlake Elementary School Signing Choir)
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Grambling University Band with Mardi Gras Chorus
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Backstreet Boys (Signed by Tom Cooney); "America The Beautiful" performed by Ray Charles
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Mariah Carey (Signed by Joe Narcisse); “America The Beautiful” performed by Mary J. Blige & Marc Anthony
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Vicki Carr (America the Beautiful)
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Dixie Chicks (Signed by Janet Maxwell);
“God Bless America” performed by Celine Dion
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Phyllis Kelly of NE Louisiana State University
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Beyoncé Knowles (Signed by Suzanna Christy)
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Colgate University Thirteen
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More than 100 representatives from the four branches of the military (Signed by Wesley Tallent )
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Aaron Neville and Dr. John with Aretha Franklin & Detroit based 150-member choir (Signed by Angela LaGuardia of Michigan School for Deaf).
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Billy Joel (Signed by Marlee Matlin and Jason Hay-Southwell)
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Jordin Sparks (Signed by A Dreamer)
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Jennifer Hudson (Signed by Kristen Santos)
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Carrie Underwood (Signed by Kinesha Battles)
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Children's Choir of San Francisco
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Christina Aguilera (Signed by Candice Villesca)
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Kelly Clarkson (Signed by Rachel Mazique)
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Alicia Keys (Signed by John Maucere)
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Renée Fleming (Signed by Amber Zion)
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Idina Menzel (Signed by Treshelle Edmond)
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Luke Bryan (Signed by Kriston Pumphrey)
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Harry Connick, Jr. (Signed by Lori Hilary)
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