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When Chris Stapleton performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVII in 2023, it was so powerful it moved many — including coaches and players — to tears. The Grammy-winning country artist’s rendition is largely hailed one of the greatest National Anthem performances in history.
Stapleton said in an interview days before the game that “it’s one of those calls you think you’re not gonna get. …The National Anthem’s not an easy song for singers, and 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. But yeah, no, if you’re gonna do it, this is the place to do it.”
Country artists sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl four years in a row, beginning with Eric Church (and Jazmine Sullivan) in 2021. Mickey Guyton was elated to sing the National Anthem in 2022 (earning praise from Faith Hill, who performed the song at the Super Bowl in 2000 and predicted Guyton would “slay it”). Stapleton followed, and Reba McEntire continued the trend in 2024. McEntire said in a statement via her record label at the time that “2024 marks 50 years since I was discovered singing the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate that anniversary.”
The Super Bowl has hosted tons of powerhouse singers to perform the National Anthem over the decades, including several major country artists:
1974: Charley Pride
1993: Garth Brooks
2000: Faith Hill
2003: The Chicks (formerly the Dixie Chicks)
2010: Carrie Underwood
2017: Luke Bryan
2021: Eric Church with Jazmine Sullivan
2022: Mickey Guyton
2023: Chris Stapleton
2024: Reba McEntire