Chris Stapleton on national anthem: ‘Not an easy song for singers’
National Anthem #NationalAnthem
He reinvented “Tennessee Whiskey.” He’s serenaded an arena of Tyler Perry fans, and even tackled the “Dirty Dancing” theme song alongside Chris Pratt.
But one thing Chris Stapleton hadn’t done until Sunday, somehow, was sing the national anthem on television. That changed, of course, because the multi-award-winning country star is set to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The 44-year-old once said he wouldn’t perform the song unless it was for the Super Bowl. He was asked about this statement by the NFL Network’s MJ Acosta-Ruiz during a Thursday press conference.
Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.
“I think I said it because I thought I wouldn’t get asked,” Stapleton said with a laugh. “…The national anthem is not an easy song for singers. It’s one that can go horribly wrong, as we’ve seen many times in the past. Hopefully, it won’t happen for me, knock on wood.”
He was set to be joined by Oscar-winning actor Troy Kotsur, providing American sign language during the performance. Kotsur became the second deaf actor to win an Academy Award for his role in the film “CODA.”
Asked if there would be a twist to his take on the song, Stapleton replied, “I’m gonna go out there and play it like I would play it. And if that’s a twist, then so be it.”
This will be Stapleton’s second big TV moment in the span of a week (though the Super Bowl is in its own stratosphere). Last Sunday, he joined Stevie Wonder at the Grammys for a blazing rendition of “Higher Ground.”
Over the weekend, Stapleton crossed paths with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty, who called him “an amazing talent.”
Fans new and old across the U.S. will have plenty of opportunities to see Stapleton sing in a stadium this year. He plays the Houston Rodeo next month, and will hit stadiums on his “All American Roadshow” tour as well as a trek with George Strait — the latter of which includes two shows at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Chris Stapleton on national anthem: ‘Not an easy song for singers’